Goals for the 21st Century

Perhaps what is most remarkable about the achievements of the last three decades is that they came during a period when development as a field was relatively new and the ideological struggle of the Cold War was at full pitch. During this time, the development community spent an inordinate amount of energy debating whether economic growth actually reduced poverty or whether it exacerbated economic inequality within societies. The evidence has become clear: Sustained and rapid economic growth is probably the single most powerful force in reducing poverty.

Programs that save children, and educate them, give economic opportunity and dignity to the poor, and strengthen civil society are not merely humanitarian, they contribute to the productive capacity of societies. Poverty reduction programs contribute to sustainable growth with equity.

This is an age of convergence. The ideological confrontations of the Cold War have been left behind. People and governments everywhere are embracing open markets and democracy in an almost geometric progression.

New partnerships between governments, business, non-governmental organizations and citizens are proliferating. There is wide agreement on the best approaches to secure lasting development. Innovations in technology and communications are making cooperation possible between individuals and institutions continents apart. It is this convergence of approaches and cooperation that hold the key to the future.

No one would suggest that the international community can now rest on its laurels. In the middle of the next century, we will see the high-water mark of human population. Although fertility rates are slowing, the world's population is still increasing by the equivalent of an additional New York City every month.

We will see the capacity of our oceans, forests and farms stretched to the limit. Urban crowding and pollution will be increasingly severe problems. It is estimated that one in eight plant species are threatened with extinction in the next few decades.

Widespread poverty is still a reality in many parts of the world. More than 800 million people still face malnutrition. More than 100 million children are not in school. New infectious diseases are only a plane ride away from any nation's capital. The impact of global climate change will place thousands of miles of coastline at risk of flooding. Shoring up fragile democracies will also be a serious challenge for the international community.

The end of the Cold War has presented the international community with an unprecedented opportunity to work collaboratively to promote development - using tools and methods already field-tested and field-proven. In May 1996, the official development assistance ministers of 21 industrialized nations agreed to work together to help improve conditions in the developing world.

Donors from around the world agreed to work toward the "21st Century Goals." These goals set specific targets such as endeavoring to end gender discrimination in education by 2005. Also by 2005, environmental strategies should be put in place that will reverse the loss of natural resources by 2015. These 21 nations also agreed that by 2015: Extreme poverty be cut in half, infant mortality rates be reduced by two-thirds, global malnutrition be halved, the numbers of mothers who die giving birth be cut by 75 percent, and family planning services be available to all who want them. Support for democratic governance, human rights and the rule of law is seen as essential to progress toward all of the goals.

This agreement on specific goals and targets by the donor community is unprecedented and represents a major step forward in international cooperation. Donors have clearly placed an emphasis on producing results and working together. The G-8 nations reiterated their endorsement of the 21st Century Goals at the 1998 G-8 Summit. These are ambitious goals, but they are eminently worthy and achievable targets.