Addis Ababa / London 29th of May 2012 The Commonwealth Foundation today announced a groundbreaking partnership with the United Nations Millennium Campaign, the first with a UN agency, in order to review progress towards the MDGs in 20 countries all over the world.
Vijay Krishnarayan, Director of the Commonwealth Foundation said: “I am delighted to announce this partnership between the Commonwealth Foundation and the UN Millennium Campaign which will enable civil society working in Commonwealth countries to shape the future global development agenda. Together we are undertaking a multiyear research project (2012-15) to review progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in 20 countries to assess the successes and failures, and begin the conversation about post 2015. This unique project will bring in the voices of the South into the debate on the future of development“
The countries analyzed in the research are Cameroon, Ghana, Grenada, India, Jamaica, Malawi, Mozambique, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Samoa, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Zambia and two non-Commonwealth countries: Nepal and Philippines. This innovative research for the first time cuts across OECD member countries, small island states, newly classified middle income countries and donor countries.
Following the submission of national research reports, the Foundation and the UNMC will convene national civil society consultations in target countries, in order to mobilise civil society voices from the South to engage in the MDG process.
“As we look at the Millennium Development Goals we must draw on the lessons of past, address the pressing issues of the present, and together with civil society chart a path forward into the future. This partnership with the Commonwealth Foundation enables us to do just this.” Underlined Corinne Woods, Global Director of the United Nations Millennium Campaign.
This announcement was made by the Commonwealth Foundation and the UN Millennium Campaign following the closure of the “All Africa Parliamentary Conference on the MDGs” which both partners were actively involved in, and which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 22-24th May 2012.
About the UN Millennium Campaign
The UN Millennium Campaign was established by the UN Secretary General in 2002. The Campaign supports citizens’ efforts to hold their governments to account for the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. The Millennium Development Goals were adopted by 189 world leaders from rich and poor countries, as part of the Millennium Declaration which was signed in 2000. These leaders agreed to achieve the Goals by 2015. Our premise is simple: we are the first generation that can end poverty and we refuse to miss this opportunity. For more information visit www.endpoverty2015.org
About the Commonwealth Foundation
The Commonwealth Foundation is an intergovernmental organisation established in 1965, resourced by and reporting to Commonwealth governments, and guided by Commonwealth values and priorities. It aims to strengthen civil society in the achievement of Commonwealth priorities – democracy and good governance, respect for human rights and gender equality, poverty eradication and sustainable, people-centred development, and to promote arts and culture. www.commonwealthfoundation.com
For further information and interviews please contact:
Anand Kantaria
UN Millennium Campaign
Global Communications Officer
anand.kantaria(at)undp.org / +44 (0) 208 903 1919
Claire Turner
Commonwealth Foundation
Communications Manager
c.turner(at)commonwealth.int / +44 (0) 20 7747 6522.
