OMD 8 : Mettre en place un partenariat mondial pour le développement

• Kate Press
  Master of Arts
  Carleton University Delegation (ON)
  (texte en entier)

• Jean-Philippe Deschamps-Laporte
  Délégation HEC Montréal (QC)
  (texte en entier)

• Caroline Bouchard
  Education
  McGill University Delegation (QC)
  (extrait)

• Cathy Nangini
  Medical Biophysics
  University of Toronto Delegation (ON)
  (extrait)

• Clayton Maxie
  Bachelor of Arts
  First Nations University Delegation (SK)
  (extrait)

• Eric Friesen
  Politics
  Délégation Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface (MB)
  (extrait)

• Lee Glazier
  Medecine / Medical Doctor
  University of British Columbia Delegation (CB)
  (extrait)

 

Linking Human Rights and MDGs
Kate Press
Master of Arts
Carleton University Delegation (ON)

« MDG 8 is often seen as the responsibility of the donor countries. The problem with this perception is that it assumes that members of the developing world do not have the right to demand assistance and cooperation from their Northern counterparts. It assumes that MDG 8 is not a ‘Development Compact’ but a whim of the rich countries. This assumption has allowed for the dilution of MDG 8, the only MDG without clear measurable timelines and targets. No date has been set for donors to reach the 0.7 percent minimum of official development assistance, no specifics have been outlined to increase market access for the developing world, and no strong commitment to debt cancellation has been made. (…)

« If a real global partnership (a ‘Development Compact’) is ignored, then, as the 2003 Human Development Report states “it is hard to imagine the poorest countries achieving Goals 1-7.” No other UN document has experienced a similar level of consensus as the Millennium Declaration yet, political will is not political obligation and it has not been successful in advancing the MDGs. MDG 8, the MDG upon which all others hinge, will only be achieved within a human rights framework.

« The MDGs provide an opportunity for the international community to take a human rights approach to development and thus, actually ensure that development is achieved. » Pour lire le texte en entier...

Le rôle du Canada, les OMDs et la dette
Jean-Philippe Deschamps-Laporte
Délégation HEC Montréal (QC)

« L’heure est actuellement aux mobilisations massives des populations face aux calamités qui frappent notre monde; les médias ont montré et remontré les enfants et les adultes décimés par les guerres, les catastrophes naturelles et les famines. Au-delà de ces images choc se trouvent des maux qui déchirent les nations en développement, desquels découlent les huit Objectifs du Millénaire pour le Développement (OMD) à atteindre d’ici 2015. De l’accès à l’eau à l’éducation des femmes, ces objectifs visent à éradiquer cette pauvreté qui gangrène une très grande partie de la population mondiale. Pas Tout en respectant que les pays en développement sont les premiers responsables de leur développement, le Canada se doit de prendre la place qui lui revient sur l’échiquier de l’aide internationale au développement.

« Le Canada est le seul pays du G8 à posséder la "santé budgétaire" dont messieurs Martin et Goodale sont si fiers : de larges surplus et un équilibre budgétaires en sont les principales caractéristiques. Cependant, les États-Unis et le Canada sont également les seuls renégats à ne disposer d’aucun échéancier visant à l’effacement de la dette des pays du tiers-monde. L’espoir de voir les niveaux de scolarisation, de santé et de sécurité augmenter dans les pays en développement apparaît futile lorsque le fardeau imposé par les pays de l’Ouest oblige les plus pauvres à se priver afin de repayer une dette devenue plus qu’absurde. » Pour lire le texte en entier...

Implementing the Millennium Development Goals: Fostering a spirit of cooperation (extrait)
Caroline Bouchard
Education
McGill University Delegation (QC)

« In very much the same cooperative way human rights were agreed upon, a diversity of inputs should offer leading solutions to achieve our common goals.

« On a smaller scale, the student network delegation revealed a similar spirit of diversity and cooperation. The body of students consisted of various academic background and experiences which were complementary although a common awareness for the importance of human rights glued the group together. The conference was a once in a lifetime opportunity for the network members to share some of their ideas, successes and failures with each other. After discussing with a colleague from Ste-Anne University , it seemed like the project I had been working on would suit the needs of a large education program and community at Ste-Anne. Akin to the case studies presented during the conference, we had our own experiences to share and perhaps try to replicate while learning from other network successes.

« As many people were inquiring about the progress and solutions proposed by the Canadian government and Canadian NGOs, it seemed like there was a lack of concrete action and rapidity of execution. Yet, I seem to have noticed one concrete solution in the very presence of fifteen Canadian students ready to mobilize their peers for the promotion of human rights. In a long term campaign such as the UN Millennium Developmental Goals, the involvement of committed youth is a definite concrete action and guarantee to a constant battle for equitable living conditions around the world. »

 

The Millennium Development Goal Challenge (extrait)
Cathy Nangini
Medical Biophysics
University of Toronto Delegation (ON)

« The Millennium Development Goals have the potential to become, in the words of UN Special Envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa Stephen Lewis, “a magnificent remedy for the human condition.” On paper, the commitment is there to address the colossal disparity between wealthy and poor nations, but in reality there is a lack of political will to change the status quo. This political inertia is barricaded by a capitalist system that assumes human rights are a natural by-product of the free market and allows corporate forces to become unchecked global superpowers.

« The inability to enshrine fundamental human rights into the current economic system through the legal regulation of powerful corporations, either nationally or internationally, leaves a void in which attempts to implement the MDGs will flounder. For progress to be made, world leaders must seriously re-think the politico-economic rule book and commit to bridging the gap. »

The Rights and Democracy Conference - June 8-9/2005 (extrait)
Clayton Maxie
Bachelor of Arts
First Nations University Delegation (SK)

« The liberties of people/groups can be affected by bureaucracy, as was mentioned by Jean-Louis Roy, in his closing statements. First Nation’s people need more liberty if they are ever to progress to a greater level of self-sufficiency and that would mean less bureaucracy. Since most Native communities are run by an administrative government, it must eventually change to where the government is run by the people, or they will continue to be impeded and be unable to reach their greatest potential.

« The world has enormous needs, and there should be no reason why First Nations can not also be contributors to these needs. Coming from a country of plenty, should have given us the tools we need to find success. Our communities should not be communities of need, but communities of plenty. The onus should be for our government to seek out every possibility that will put us on the road to success. If this country is to shine, it needs to brighten its dark corners. In the end, these communities of need, do not need more hindrances, in terms of more bureaucracy, but they need to be liberated and free from all oppression.

« Much thanks to Jean Roy, and Rights and Democracy for their passion. »

Canada ’s Shameful Lack of Resolve - Thoughts Following the Conference on Implementing the MDGs: Our Human Rights Obligation (extrait)
Eric Friesen
Politics
Délégation Collège universitaire de Saint-Boniface (MB)

« Because of its economic wealth, it is shameful that Canada contributes so little for development aid. The [ Nations Statistics Division] reports that Canada gave $634 million for official development aid. This translates into 0.07 percent of Canada ’s GNP, embarrassingly far from the recommended and agreed upon 0.7 percent target for international development assistance. Canada has the resources and the responsibility to contribute more to eliminate extreme poverty and a good start would be to reach the 0.7 percent development assistance target and to eliminate the debt owing from the poorest countries whose people suffer because their country cannot afford basic social and civil services. »

An Eye on Africa: How to Offer Effective Aid Remains a Key Question (extrait)
Lee Glazier
Medecine / Medical Doctor
University of British Columbia Delegation (CB)

« Although the suffering in Africa is clear, the idea that simply providing more cash to the continent is a misleading one.

« The Millennium Development goals appear well defined and achievable if combined with a will and a way to achieve them, from African governments and the international community alike. A concerted effort on both an African national level to fight corruption and work towards legitimate governance and freedom of the press, and on an international level to increase foreign aid and forgive national debts, could be a valuable means in realizing African development. »