The UN Millennium Goals - Case Study Example

UN Millennium Goals The UN Millennium goals are based on humanitarian efforts first and foremost. Global issues such as world hunger and poverty are set to be eliminated or minimized as much as possible. By instating the Millennium Declaration 8 years ago in 2000, the international community has promised to stop at nothing to provide freedom to every man, woman and child from the adverse and inhumane conditions of extreme poverty.(UN, 2008). The purpose of this paper is to elaborate on and discuss the UN’s efforts to establish goals for this millennium which are hoped to rid the world of dehumanizing circumstances such as the afore mentioned. The specific part of the world to be discussed within this paper is Dubai. The facts pertinent to this country and its development and level of civilization will be also discussed. To clearly define what the UN Millennium Development (MDGs) are, it is first important to note that there are actually 8 international goals to be specific. These will be discussed later in this discussion. These 8 goals were established by 189 UN members and with the help of at least 23 international organizations, it is hoped that each and every one of these goals is met. The deadline for which the UN has aimed to complete the implementation of these goals is the year 2015. Because these development goals were drafted in the year 2000 at the UN Summit, we are now halfway to the deadline with much to still be accomplished. During the drafting of what was known as the UN Millennium Development Declaration, attending world leaders established and consented to the 8 primary goals of the MDGs. The goals themselves are focused on ending extreme poverty, minimizing drastically the death rate of children, addressing and minimizing epidemics such as ADIS and engaging in worldwide partnerships for the purposes of development. At this half way point between the initial drafting of the declaration and the present, only some of the countries listed in the action plan have seen real progress. Other countries with greater economic peril, have not been as successful. In particular, the country of Dubai and its progress according to the development goals will be discussed at this time. Dubai is one of the seven Arab emirates and is incidentally the largest of those seven. The seven emirates function together within what is known as a ‘federal framework’ and share economic, political and even military functions. Geographically, Dubai is located above Oman and is set between the Persian gulf and the Gulf of Oman. It neighbors Iran, and is very close in proximity to the current state of unrest taking place in the Middle East. Dubai is governed by what is known as a constitutional monarchy and the ruling family of Dubai since the 1800’s, has been the Al Maktoum family. It is home to an estimated 1.5 million people as per a census conducted in the year 2006. Several summits held in Dubai have aimed at addressing the global economic situation. Dubai itself is a backed by Saudi oil as it is one of the 7 Arab Emirates. Because it is within this kingdom, it has not suffered economically as many areas of the world have, but it has been active in aiding the global financial situation. One main point of interest discussed at a recent Dubai summit is the interconnectedness of the world which actually serves to weaken the economy instead of strengthen it, “The third issue of the weakest links. In an interconnected world, all parts of the world are affected by what happens in all other parts of the world. We cannot be surprised when events in some far off and distant place can be of fundamental significance for survival.” In regards to the UN development goals for 2015, it is important to investigate Dubai’s progress and challenges regarding those goals. While Dubai has been a significant part of the oil trade in times past, it is expected that within 20 years, all of her oil reserves will be completely depleted. At present, a surprisingly low portion of the Dubai revenue is based on the oil trade. In fact, less than 6% of her revenue can be attributed to oil or natural gas. She is a country with special views not so dissimilar from those of Westernized countries and large cities. There is impressive sky rises and areas of heavy commerce worth boasting both for their success and their beauty. Dubai has been an important player in the closer approach of meeting some of the UN goals for 2015. As mentioned before, Dubai is a part of the Arab emirates. This is also known as the UAE. The UAE has joined forces with the UN and other counties to address the issues of poverty and hunger. The UAE has joined in with many others from around the world in a worldwide pledge to eliminate poverty. Recent conventions have been held in Dubai to address some of the main concerns related to the 8 UN development goals. One aspect of the goals to be addressed by the country of Dubai is that of displaced children and other who are vulnerable or without resources to sustain even the simplest of basic human needs. Specifically, Dubai has sought to aid children in unsafe conditions within Iraq as well as others who are placed in unsafe circumstances in the war torn country. Many Iraqis have sought refuge in Jordan and Syria, due to the civil and political unrest and the war related violence. UNICEF has been joined by Dubai in attempting humanitarian efforts within Palestinian territory, specifically with regard to children. The conditions in Palestine have grown more severe as have the conditions in Darfur with an estimated 2.4 million people displaced at present within the region of Darfur and the Sudan. The Sudan in fact, particularly South Sudan, has been a place of depleting child survival in part because of the decline of socioeconomic indicators in a persisting political stalemate in the country of Lebanon. There is also a great concern over a rising number of malnutrition children in the area of Djibouti, which Dubai has worked along with the UAE to assist. (Unicef, 2008). The very specific 8 goals established by the UN during the 2000 Summit are as follows: 1. To end extreme poverty: This is particularly with respect to those earning less than or equal to $1 a day in ages. 2. To achieve universal, primary education for all. 3. Gender equality: The UN is hoping to work effectively in promoting gender equality with respect to equal rights for women on a global level. 4. To reduce the occurrence of child mortality: Particularly in war torn areas, children are sadly frequent, vulnerable victims which deprives the world of its next generation. 5. To peruse a world with enhanced maternal health for all: This is meant to implement and provide resources to those from all over the world who are with child. Maternal health will only aid in ensuring a populated and healthy next generation. 6. Epidemics such as HIV and AIDS that possibly threaten human existence on a large level, are to be researched and fought vehemently. 7. To peruse the good of the common environment: This is so with respect to the clear and present danger of global warming. 8. To strengthen the United Nations and establish a global Partnership: This is part of the activities of Dubai as she has engaged in humanitarian efforts with other countries, particularly within the UAE. (The General Assembly of the United Nations, 2000). Issues such as global warming and a deficit in food availability threaten not only the smallest and poorest of countries, but even the most Westernized of societies. These issues threaten the world as a whole and are therefore being addressed by the UN in its goals to rid the world of the conditions which are dehumanizing. What the MDGs has essentially done is harnessed the hopes of development of the world as a whole. But they are not only aspirations of development. They also serve to universally encompass the standard of human values and rights like freedom from hunger, basic education rights, the right to health and finally, a responsibility to future generations. (The UN development report, 2008). Sadly, issues which exist even in the most remote of countries, tend to have a trickling effect and therefore affect the world eventually. Countries such as Dubai, have some of the resources to actively help areas and individuals in the world who desperately need it. This is exactly what type of commitment Dubai as well as the UAE has made, in conjunction with the UN goals. In 2006, an important meeting was held in Dubai which allowed fro a greater construction projects which would allow for the availability of more transport routes which would in turn enhance trade in the area and surrounding areas. Dubai is a wealthy and developed country with little instance of poverty or hunger. It is however, a country taking aim to help where it is needed. In recent news, when an earthquake left many children orphaned in Pakistan in the year 2005, the UAE along with Dubai; established a scholarship fund meant to pay for the education of said orphans. (Gulf-News, 2008). In the arena of furthering and providing education, as the UN goals also aim to do, Dubai has been a good Samaritan and perused assisting other countries in time of need. Dubai is not a country in need of emergent resources such as the current state of Darfur. It is rather a country integral to providing aid to the countries which are in immediate need. In the scheme of how Dubai is meeting the 8 UN Millennium goals, issues of poverty or starvation are not prominent in Dubai therefore Dubai has been aggressively seeking to relieve the emergent situations of its neighbors. There are few challenges at this present time within Dubai which might prevent the 2015 goals from being met globally. However, on a much larger scale, even though Dubai attains only 6% of its revenue from oil trade, it will be a country completely dependant on oil from others in roughly 20 years due to a massive crude oil shortage. This is of course after the time goal which is set for 2015 but at present, Dubai is quite developed and operating in conjunction with the UAE to provide aid where possible in countries below the 8 UN standard goals. One of the goals of the UN development goals has to do with gender equality. This is difficult to clearly establish even in Westernized countries and will therefore be even more so difficult in countries where religious beliefs and customs strongly advocate a patriarchal sociological framework. Certainly, even the developed Dubai is vulnerable to this set back. The Arab Kingdoms are perhaps some of the most deeply routed in the traditional practices and beliefs of the Muslim faith. Though this faith is not so dissimilar from other widely practiced monotheistic religions, it is fundamental on the ideology that women are to be placed below the males of society. Though the religion of Islam promotes generally the same ideas as the Bible and the Torah, it also is deeply routed in the notion that women are to be not only submissive to men but to also be more like property than humans of equality. These traditions and practices date back thousands of years and are not going to be easy to change. This is perhaps the only difficulty identified by this research project, that Dubai may encounter in an attempt to meet all 8 Millennium goals prior to the year 2015. It is important to mention however, that Dubai is actually a multicultural society, and that not everyone living in Dubai is of the Islamic faith. Though the faith of Islam is popular to the area of the world in which Dubai is located, there are still other faiths and practices recognized by this country. From an educational standpoint, Dubai is exceedingly meeting standards and is not dissimilar from other Arab emirates. Dubai has had a continuously successful public school type system which teaches Arabic as a first language followed by English as a second language. This is indicative of a very progressive educational system within a an increasingly open minded country. Dubai is to be commended along with the other countries which are apart of the UAE, in being proactive towards universal humanitarian efforts which she has engaged in along with other countries. Dubai has closely recognized and observed a need to provide shelter or safety to children who are essentially refugees from other Middle Eastern areas as well as to actively peruse an end to poverty”(Maktoob.com, 2008). Though global progress in meeting the 8 millennium goals is rather uneven, the perseverance of the countries who can positively and effectively contribute to these positive changes, such as Dubai, will make an impact even in the farthest regions of the globe. References: -------------------------.(2008) ”UN Economic Advisor to address International Financial Leaders in Dubai”, retrieved from website at: http://business.maktoob.com/NewsDetails-20070423114974- UN_Economic_Advisor_to_address_International_Financial_Leaders_in_ Dubai.htm ----------------, (2007) UAE Comes to the Aid of Quake Orphans, GulfNews.com, Al Nisr Publications, retrieved from website at: http://archive.gulfnews.com/articles/06/10/17/10075437.html Breitbart.com, (2008) UAE Joins Millions Around the World in a Global Call to End Poverty, retrieved from website at: http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=upiABU- 2007101020390481&show_article=1 The General Assembly of the United Nations, (2008) The Millennium Development Goals Report, retrieved from website at: http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/pdf/The%20Millennium%20Developme nt%20Goals%20Report%202008.PDF UPU Strategy Confrence 2006, retrieved from website at: http://www.upu.int/upu_strategy/2006_sc/en/05_speech_guozhong_huan g_en.pdf Unicef, Arabic Humanitarian Action Report 2008 launched today in Dubai, retrieved from website at: Unicef.com ----------------------------, (2006) “Economic Summit to discuss Dubai’s role in global economy” retrieved from website at: http://www.nbd.com/NBD/NBD_CDA/CDA_Document_Library/Media_Doc uments/NBD_MARCH_2005.pdf Read More