The Millennium Development Goals and the business sector
The Millennium Development Goals and the business sector
The world is changing, being engulfed in
political instability, environmental problems with deep implications on society
and also on the human’s ability to adapt. The high dynamic of the worldwide
issues send the international community a signal for action. In response the
United Nations created, with attention to the political, cultural and religious
background, the Millennium Development Goals. In order to understand this
important and major assembly of states, NGO’s and private businesses we need to
deconstruct the development process and see how the components interact and
deliver good results. In the context of grand aspirations concerning
sustainable development and improvements to livelihoods, the United Nations
analysed with responsibility the current problems of world after sending
observers and analysts in affected areas. This is the reason why it is
important to study the development process and its capacity to remedy the
existing obstacles towards better standards of living in poor or underdeveloped
countries. Even thou the needs of the present are mandatory, assuring that
future generation will benefit from the same conditions managed to create the
term of sustainable development.
The present eight Millennium Development
Goals were created in order to form a global action plan, despite cultural,
political and educational diversity as a reliable tool towards creating a
better world. Furthermore due to the existence of a growing global identity, as
a result of the globalisation process, the call for action on environmental and
social issues is welcomed with enthusiasm and dedication by communities. In
this respect, it is imperative to comprehend the interactions between the
theory package drafted by the UN and the reality of policies implemented in the
affected areas. Annual reports, studies and observation notes are being drafted
by the UNDP, UNICEF, UNESCO and major companies in order to assess the progress
level of the strategies adopted and their impact on the community. Achieving
the MDG’s represents a collective effort from both the international forum but
also with the direct and powerful implication of the business sector. Since the
creation of the Global Compact partnership with its 10 working principle
business committed their resources and operations in area of human rights,
labour, environment and anti-corruption as an integrant aid towards helping
poor or underdeveloped countries to reach the MDGs by 2015. In the framework of
the Global Compact major companies catalyse their actions in support of the UN
goals including the Millennium development goals, through carefully designed
policies and programs attuned with the indigene characteristics.
“We need strong partnerships to speed up
MDG progress…. We must make use of what works. I congratulate and thank those
who ask ‘how could the way I run my business really make a difference on a
large scale?’” Helen Clark, Administrator, United Nations Development Program
The
current study tries to underline the characteristics of the development process
and its capacity through the Millennium Development Goals and correlated with
professional aid from the business sector to improve the quality of life in
poor and underdeveloped countries. The chapters reflect a multidimensional
approach on the development process complexities and in a logical evolution
emphasizes the MDGs construct in direct interaction and collaboration with
representatives of the business sector. Studying the subtleties of the
development process and placed in a symbiotic relation with major corporations
can present certain difficulties related to the nature of the initial help and
the latter on evolution. Many analysts have underlined that companies provide
assistance in poor or underdeveloped countries following personal interests and
with no regard for the people involved. Still, as the basic structure of
sustainable development will be displayed with more clarity we will try and
demonstrate how the business sector improves the livelihood and living
conditions of people from countries affected by poverty, lack of education or
access to basic human needs.
“Defining development” represents the theoretical aspect of the study and it
is vital in understanding the structure and ramifications of such a complex
process. Starting with defining development and its dimensions in the
environmental, social and human level, this chapter proposes to underline the
active core of the process and its ability to improve the livelihood and social
awareness of the countries affected by poverty. Even thou the development
process are quite complex, comprised out of many distinct and sometimes
independent phases, we will try and determine the functionality of the mechanisms
making this engine evolves. Theorized in many forms, in close connection with
the scientific agora of the emitter, the development process has a unique and
solid structure, constant evolution and connection to the standard of living of
the individual. We will try and connect the fractures of definitions left out
by some political and economic analysts and thus try and bring the development
process near the present, implicitly near the globalisation process.
In “The genesis of the Millennium Development Goals” we emphasize on
the creation of these objectives by the UN and their main characteristics and
viability in a world driven a deep and lasting economic crisis and also
political instability. Furthermore taking into consideration the multiple
dimensions of the MDGs it is important to understand how they apply to basic
human needs and social awareness in the context of a healthy and natural
development process. Underlining the importance of achieving the objectives: Eradicate
Extreme Poverty and Hunger, Achieve Universal Primary Education, Promote Gender
Equality and Empower Women, Reduce Child Mortality, Improve Maternal Health,
Combat HIV/AIDS Malaria and other diseases, Ensure Environmental Sustainability
and Develop a Global Partnership for Development represents the primary
objective of this part of the study. Every goal is set on improving various
aspects of a person’s livelihood, deeply affected by one of the gaps targeted
in the objectives in the UN Declaration of 2000. We will try to demonstrate how
the MDGs represent a driving force for improvements in day to day lifestyle
patterns and a solid foundation for future development. The UN made this pact
with humanity and nature in order to ensure the survival of our race and avoid dealing
with self-destruction apocalyptic scenarios. It is by far a constant effort
which requires maintenance and professionalism because achieving the MDGs by
2015 represents not only a test of maturity for the UN but also the chance of
building a better future, in touch with the principles of respect for both
nature and the individual.
“The
business role within the accomplishment of the MDGs” represents a practical
interaction between the Millennium Development Goals and major corporations who
implement strategies in order for them to be achieved and in the process
improve the standards of living in poor or underdeveloped countries. The 21st
century represents the fertile ground of collaboration between companies and
the UN in creating a better tomorrow for all citizens of the global civil
community. Coming with expertise, professionalism and dedication towards
supporting sustainable development, major companies like Unilever, Eskom, SC
Johnson, Procter & Gamble, Holcim, and Rio Tinto are clear examples of
collaboration capable of helping countries achieve the MDGs by 2015. Each
company started from 2000 and until the present programs bent on improving
access to clean water, better building facilities and low-cost housing
solutions, improved health through iodized salt, encouragement of self-reliance
for local communities, improve livelihoods for pyrethrum farmers and empowering
local entrepreneurs to develop their businesses. Taking into consideration the
local characteristics, based on observations and carefully drafter reports, the
business sector managed to infuse professionalism and dedication to positive
improvements through a carefully structured sequence of policies and
strategies. In this chapter we will try and underline the beneficial effects of
the development plans and also display the practical aspects of the programs
felt by people in the ground.
Understanding
the metamorphosis of the world in an unstable political and environmental
climate is primordial towards learning how to adapt to the upcoming changes.
This is the main reason why the UN together with the business sector developed
the proper strategies and policies towards aiding poor or underdeveloped
countries to achieve the MDGs by 2015 without creating any steps backward. The
study case done on the eight corporations mentioned above will underline how
the business sector enhances the capacity of states striving to reach their MDG
target to progress. To this extent we will understand better why Kofi Annan
said that the Millennium Development Goals can’t be achieved without the
infusion of capital and experience of the major corporations.
