Perspectives of Millennium Development Goals (MDG’s): Educational implications of the initiatives in African communities. International Journal Of Contemporary Issues Vol 6, 2014

Abstract

In September 2000 at the United Nations Organization headquarters in New York City, during the United Nations Millennium Summit, 147 world leaders gathered to chart a new course of action to improve the welfare and well being of mankind. The goals were spelt out in eight clear terms each addressing the survival and sustainable development of mankind. In summary, all the goals specifically target education, health and poverty issues. In line with the goals, the target date according to the charter will be 2015. The goals were adopted by 189 nations. The downward trend of quality education, health care delivery and the rising poverty levels in most African, Latin American and some Asian nations have been a source of worry to the various organs of United Nations having the primary responsibilities in line with development issues aforementioned. Since independence of majority of African Nations since 1960, there had not been significant leaps in relation to the overall human and infrastructural development in most countries. Over the last few years even with appreciable income from the sale of crude oil, solid minerals and agricultural driven economies in some of the leading countries in the continent, the status of each of the eight goals are still much below average. This paper takes a perspective into Millennium Development Goals (MDG's), implementation strategies, countries'-wide initiatives, strategies for wider scale implementation, inherent values within the local societies, spiraling effects at national and continental levels, and, educational implications of MDG's initiatives for an enduring life-long learning in communities. Recommendations on strengthening the action plans considering countries'-wide challenges are included.