What the Mothers’ Union[1] would like to see achieved at the UN World Summit 2005
1. Recommitment to the MDGs
Five years on from inception of the MDGs, the world is in serious danger of failing to achieve them by 2015. The world has the finance, knowledge and skill to achieve them; all that is needed is for world leaders to honour the commitments they have already made. The UN World Summit is one such opportunity to do this. However, although this Summit was originally set up to review the MDGs, it is possible that debate may simply revolve around whether to include reference to them in the outcome document at all. This is in light of reports that the US is seeking to eliminate any mention of the MDGs in the development section of the summit’s outcome document.
The main point of contention hangs around the targets (to be reached by 2015) and indicators that are now associated with each MDG. Not all of these were specified in the 2000 Millennium Declaration, although the UN sees them as a summary of other existing international agreements. By not reaffirming the MDGs and their corresponding targets, commitments specifying how to reach the MDGs would be avoided, for example, an indicator such as rich nations spending 0.7 percent of their gross national product on aid for development. However, the UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, is reported to have said that "no new promises are needed to make this [a reaffirmation of the MDGs] happen -- just follow-through on existing ones."
The Mothers’ Union believes that if the MDGs are not reaffirmed it will be a giant step back in the global fight against poverty.
2. A holistic approach
Despite the breadth of issues up for discussion, Kofi Annan has called for Governments to address the interconnected challenges that they present. Peace and security, human rights, development and the strengthening of the UN all have an impact on each other. Development efforts and reforms need to be undertaken as a comprehensive package, for example, just as one MDG cannot stand alone without the others, peace and security cannot be achieved without development.
One of challenges ahead of the Summit is to ensure that no one issue takes precedence over all the others. The danger is that development issues will be pushed aside by others, such as those surrounding reform of the Security Council. The political priorities of each State at the Summit will play a big part in this. For instance, the Non-aligned Movement of developing nations, as well as Russia, has certain objections to the draft outcome document’s wording around terrorism, when and how to intervene in cases of genocide and on UN management reforms. In addition, the US is calling for more emphasis on international measures against the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, whilst removing references to decommissioning and multilateral disarmament.
The Mothers’ Union believes that debate around development and achieving the MDGs must not be eclipsed by other issues. The UN Summit must ensure that Governments holistically address the interrelated issues of peace and security, development, human rights and UN reform.
3. Mainstream gender justice and equality
Although the current draft outcome document does include references to gender concerns, they are not yet mainstreamed throughout, particularly in terms of gender equality and violence against women. The Mothers’ Union would like the outcome document to go further:
With regard development:
- a gender perspective must be applied to all the MDGs. Despite the fact that the promotion of gender equality is an MDG in its own right (MDG 3), none of the other MDGs will be achieved without gender equality
- more targets and indicators must attached to the MDGs to measure the progress of women. Issues such as violence against women, health, education, political participation and economic empowerment must be addressed more closely within the MDG framework
- women must have a larger role in MDG planning, implementation and assessment
With regard peace and security, it must be recognised that:
- women’s participation at all levels of peacekeeping, conflict resolution and reconstruction is essential for long lasting and stable peace
- women must be protected from all forms of violence. Fear from violence fuels their sense of insecurity, which is heightened at times of violent conflict
With regard human rights, it must be recognised that
- women’s rights are human rights
- international standards for protecting and advancing women must be used in a national context
With regard UN reform, there must be a commitment to:
- achieving a 50/50 gender balance in UN staff positions
The Mothers’ Union believes that gender equality should be a cross-cutting theme throughout the four main issue areas addressed at Summit.
4. Commitments to financing for development
As part of the MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY coalition, the Mothers’ Union would like to see a recommitment to the global partnership for development (MDG 8). Small steps were taken at the G8 in July on financing for development; but larger steps are needed at the United Nations to make a real difference. Such steps must be clear and time-bound with targets and benchmarks that can be meaningfully monitored. In particular, the Mothers’ Union will be watching for:
- Trade justice: Leaders at the UN summit must commit to trade justice. In particular they must agree to stop pushing poor countries to open their economies and guarantee their right to determine their own trade policies.
- Debt cancellation: Leaders at the UN summit must endorse the need to go further on debt cancellation, agreeing to cancel the debts of all countries that need it, to be able to achieve the Millennium Development Goals. They must also ensure that debt relief is not tied to harmful World Bank and IMF conditions.
- Aid: Whilst the G8 committed to increase levels of aid, the quality, quantity and the speed of its delivery fall far short of what is desperately needed. Leaders of all rich countries must agree to reach 0.7% of their national income in aid immediately and ensure that this aid reaches the poorest people in the poorest countries.
5. Affirmation civil society’s role in the UN and in achieving the MDGs
The Mothers’ Union would like to see an endorsement of the need for member states (both developed and developing) to work alongside, resource and strengthen grassroots civil society in their efforts to meet the MDGs. Governments must not overlook the lasting and significant difference which partnerships with grassroots society – particularly faith based groups - can make through enabling and empowering local communities to create positive change in their lives. In addition, Governments should support the strengthening of civil society participation in the UN.
[1] The Mothers’ Union (MU) is a Christian organisation with over 3.6 million members worldwide. Its principal objectives include ‘promoting conditions in society favourable to stable family life and the protection of children’ and ‘helping those whose family life has met with adversity’. The ethos of the organisation is to enable and empower women to effect positive change in their lives and that of their families. The MU achieves this by: monitoring and contributing to national legislation and international policies affecting the status of women and families, lobbying governments, advocating the concerns and recommendations of members and raising public awareness. Parallel to this, the MU resources members through funds, projects and central programmes to take practical action to improve conditions for families, nationally and in the communities in which they live. With over three hundred indigenous field workers the MU provides supportive services, training and seminars to local communities. This practical work underpins our policy development.