Millennium Development Goal 8: Global Partnership

Achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) Together

In 2000 at the United Nations Millennium Summit, the United States joined 189 world governments in the commitment to
achieve the MDGs, a set of 8 goals aimed at improving the lives of the world’s poorest by 2015.

The target of MDG 8: Global Partnership for development is to further develop an open, rule-based, predictable, non-
discriminatory trading and financial system, which includes a commitment to good governance, development and poverty
reduction – both nationally and internationally. In addition, MDG 8 addresses the needs of the least developed countries
through tariff and quota free access exports, debt relief and generous aid for countries committed to poverty reduction.

In 2009, the US government reaffirmed that the MDGs are “America’s goals.” In terms of volume, the United States is the
leading donor of official development aid (ODA). The global community, however, regards ODA as a percentage of gross
national income, not volume, as the best indicator of a donor country’s relative contribution. With only a 0.18 percent ODA to
gross national income ratio, the contribution of the United States pales in comparison to many European countries and is far
from reaching the goal of a 0.7 percent contribution.1 Along with other G8 countries, the US agreed to cancel 100% of
qualified debts for the poorest countries, first through the HIPC (Heavily Indebted Poor Countries) Initiative and then through
the MDRI (Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative).

Where Success Has Been Achieved

Debt relief has helped millions in developing countries provide for their people. 34 million African children went to school for
the first time between 1999 and 2006, thanks in part to debt relief and assistance for education. Nigeria is using $750 million
in debt savings from 2006 to train and recruit new teachers, while Cameroon is using debt savings to launch a national
HIV/AIDS plan for prevention, education, testing and mother-to- child transmission abatement.

What Can You Do?

You and your community play a vital role in the fight against poverty and hunger. Action can be taken to raise awareness of
the MDGs and press the US government to fulfill its commitment to end poverty by 2015. For example, send letters to your
local, regional and/or national representative expressing concern regarding the US’ progress in achieving the MDGs. In
addition, you can join the global movement of over 173 million people who refuse to stay seated or silent in the face of
poverty by participating in STAND UP, TAKE ACTION: Make a Noise for the MDGs taking place from Friday, September 17 –
Sunday, September 19, 2010. Past events include rallies highlighting poverty and social injustices and concert performances.
For more information on how you can participate in Stand Up, please visit www.standagainstpoverty.org.

1
InterAction, The United States and the MDGS, (Washington, DC: InterAction, 2007).

The 8 Millennium Development Goals

www.standagainstpoverty.org and www.endpoverty2015.org