Governments that pursue development hand-in-hand with human rights stand a better chance of reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
By incorporating human rights principles into national development strategies and fulfilling their human rights obligations, governments are more likely to be successful in meeting the MDGs (to reduce poverty, hunger and disease and promote gender equality, education, environmental sustainability and global partnerships) and in realizing the UN Charter’s vision of a more equal and just world.
Human rights and development policies are mutually reinforcing. They use different yet complementary tools and strategies for achieving the same objective: improving human wellbeing. But while development strategies prioritize economic growth, human rights establish universally accepted legal guarantees to protect the freedom and equality of all individuals. Human rights standards and obligations put the State at the service of the people to ensure that everyone benefits from growth and enjoys a life with dignity.
At a UN Summit meeting of world leaders, to be held in New York in September 2010, States will be asked to make a renewed commitment to reach these Goals in the next five years. The “action agenda” they agree on at this meeting will be crucial in determining whether or not the MDGs become reality by the 2015 target date.
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- Foundation for engagement to achieve the MDGs
Millennium Development Goals and human rights standards
Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
Related Human Rights:
- Right to adequate standard of living
- Right to work
- Right to food
Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
Related Human Rights:
-Right to education
Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
Related Human Rights:
- Women’s rights to equality
Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
Related Human Rights:
- Right to life
Goal 5: Improve maternal health
Related Human Rights:
- Women’s right to life and health
Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
Related Human Rights:
- Right to health
Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
Related Human Rights:
- Right to environmental health
- Right to water and sanitation
- Right to adequate housing
Goal 8: Develop a global partnership for development
Related Human Rights:
- Right to development
- Economic, social and cultural rights
- Right to health
To read more, click on the United nation for human rights link: http://www.ohchr.org/EN/Issues/MDG/...
