|
|
|
| You
are in The MDG
Teams > Message from UN Resident
Coordinator - Sri Lanka. |
| The
MDG Teams |
| Message
from UN Resident Coordinator - Sri Lanka |
 |
 The
Millennium Development Goals represent international consensus
about essential actions needed to overcome challenges to humanity
in the 21st century. Reduced poverty and greater equality, improved
health, education and environmentalsustainability are essential
for human progress. The MDGs measure progress in terms of real
improvements in people’s lives. Each country must find
its own path to achieve the Goals. Sri Lanka has long been at
the forefront of human development among developing countries.
Access to health and education is widespread, and the results
have been impressive. But still millions of Sri Lankans are
living in poverty. If this problem could be solved by one set
of actors or by one initiative, then greater reduction in poverty
would have occurred already.
Achieving these ambitious Goals requires all of society to come
together with one shared vision. “Business as usual”
is not enough. Government, political parties, private sector,
civil society and other actors need to come together to develop
a shared vision for a society without poverty and inequality,
and find consensus about the main priorities. This is the foundation
for the creative partnerships and coalitions needed to achieve
the Goals.
The MDGs place people at the centre, by focusing on investments
in people’s capabilities to take charge of their own development.
People living in poverty often suffer disproportionately from
poor health, nutrition, and education, and they are more dependent
on natural resources. Not only is it critical to invest in their
resources, skills and abilities, but also to involve them directly
in making their own strategies for reducing poverty. This in
itself will strengthen governance and effectiveness of development.
The tsunami disaster and the two-decade internal conflict have
raised tremendous challenges for Sri Lanka. This progress report
is produced by the Government of Sri Lanka, on behalf of the
country and its people, during a historically challenging time.
The commitment and dedication shown by those involved is a promising
first step. The next steps should involve intense dialogue and
constructive debate about how to take the MDG agenda forward.
The MDG agenda highlights the opportunity for the country to
come together for peace and recovery through a development framework
owned by all, and centered on the needs of the most vulnerable.
On behalf of the UN system in Sri Lanka, I express our fullest
support in this endeavor.
Miguel Bermeo
United Nations Resident Coordinator
|
| |
|
