Partners in Dialogue
19/03/13
“MDG Post-2015 debate: a chance to address inequality?”
The Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) will expire by 2015. Until then, all possible efforts of the international community shall be concentrated on their achievement. Nevertheless, reflections on a post-2015 framework have started and been complemented by the Rio+20 decision in June 2012 to elaborate a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Creative proposals are needed in order to timely reach international consensus on a set of new global Goals after 2015.
Despite many of the successes of the MDGs and the strong support from governments, civil society and other stakeholders, various perceived weaknesses have been highlighted. A key criticism is that they fail to proactively address the issue of inequalities. In fact, progress on Goals is measured in terms of global and national averages; by-passing large numbers of world’s poor and vulnerable.
How could inequality be best addressed in a post-2015 agreement? How can progress be measured? Who is responsible for keeping inequality in check in rapidly developing societies? What role shall the EU and donors such as Switzerland have in supporting countries that want to tackle inequality?
To access the briefing paper, click here
