MDG & Global Issues

The UN Millennium Development Goals and Global Issues is a joint effort to reduce extreme poverty throughout the world's most impoverished countries. There are eight development goals that the international community has deemed should be completed by 2015. When this declaration was adopted in the year 2000, it was perceived that in order to successfully accomplish these goals, it would require unprecedented support and approximately 15 years to do so. In the time that has elapsed since then, there has been major progress, however, due to unforeseen factors, there is the possibility that some of the goals will not be reached. There have been downward changes to the environment (global warming), an economic slowdown, and an increase in the cost of food (food crisis). These are major factors and as such have the potential to halt the momentum.

The above mentioned factors as well as others undoubtedly have a far reaching impact on the success of the MDG's. It is paramount to "get back on track" and strive to eradicate the impoverished conditions that have taken hold in many countries. The question is how to do this. How can Information & Communication Technology help in this struggle? I remember an adage that states: "People will do better if they know better". This is where ICT can start - with education. For those that are impoverished, trying to better their lifestyle and pull themselves up by their bootstraps WITHOUT having the knowledge or desired skill-set, would be like trying to swim in the ocean with 20lb weights on your back! There have been so many significant steps made with technology that can be used to teach people the basics and then build from that. In corporate America - we have and use video conferencing on a daily basis. If there are no teachers in these countries, or a shortage thereof, then let’s stick some video conferencing equipment in the classrooms. Granted, the personal physical contact isn't there, however, the ability and means to provide a basic education is. Unlocking knowledge and creativity can potentially lead to a better lifestyle and the ability to obtain a better standard of living. Education is the perfect place to start for ICT. As there is a gap in gender parity, it is important that the education is made available (and stressed) to females as well as males. Still, there are other ways ICT can help reach many of the other predefined goals. For instance, many children, under the age of 5, are dying and it seems to be that the majority are for children "from rural and poor families and whose mothers lack basic education". This could be due to lack of basic parenting skills and nutrition. Again, ICT can play a huge role here.

I noticed that the reading stated there were over 60 million new mobile telephone subscribers in Africa in 2006. That is great! We take for granted the ability to pick up a phone and call someone. This is helpful to raise morale, calm anxieties, call for help or just to maintain contact with a friend or family member. ICT should continue this effort to provide mobile phones to those in need.

It has been proven that the injection of ICT into countries that suffer from extreme poverty and technological deficiencies will only benefit. It is up to the international community to make it happen.