AHEAD of the UN summit to adopt new Sustainable Development Goals, aid agency World Vision says the real work has only just begun, and is urging politicians and policy makers to hit the ground running if they are to capitalise on this historic opportunity to end extreme poverty within a generation.
Over 150 heads of state will gather in New York from September 25 to 27 to adopt an ambitious agenda to eradicate extreme poverty within the next 15 years. The agenda applies equally to all countries and outlines 17 goals to tackle the root causes of poverty, inequality and environmental destruction. They will also seek to promote peaceful and inclusive societies.
“The new goals represent an unpresented opportunity to transform the lives of the most vulnerable children in the hardest places to live. This includes commitments to end poverty in all its forms, eliminate child hunger and preventable child deaths, and end violence against children.” says Chris Derksen-Hiebert, World Vision International’s director of public policy.
“The sustainable development agenda also recognize children are ‘critical agents of change’ and allowing them to meaningfully participate in decision making will be essential to building a better world.
“The goals are just commitments on paper, however, until work begins to achieve them. We cannot afford to waste time. Politicians and policy makers must take urgent action to ensure the most vulnerable children are reached first. They are the children in remote areas, in the worst urban slums, in the midst of intractable conflicts and buffeted by droughts or flooding caused by the effects of climate change.”
The aid agency says it will be working to ensure commitments are kept at the country level. This includes empowering communities to hold their local leaders and governments accountable for progress.
“World Vision believes sustainable development begins with healthy, nourished and well-educated children free from all forms of violence. With governments, aid agencies, businesses and the public working together, the Sustainable Development Goals represent an historic opportunity to make these aspirations a reality,” said Derksen-Hiebert.
Source: World Vision US
