The leaders of the world's nations came together in the year 2000 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York -- determined to make the new millennium a better one than the last for all the peoples of the world. They agreed to eight Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in an effort to meet the needs of the world's poorest people.*

In September 2010 the United Nations will evaluate each nation's progress at a Summit to be held in New York at the UN Headquarters. A number of the goals are on target:

• Reducing absolute poverty by half is within reach for the world as a whole!
• With the exception of Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, primary school enrollment is at least 90 percent.
• Malaria prevention is expanding: there is widespread increase in the use of insecticide-treated bed-net among children under the age of five in sub-Saharan Africa. In 16 out of 20 countries, use of such nets has at least tripled since 2000.
• 1.6 six billion people have gained access to safe drinking water since 1990.

While we celebrate the successes, there still are goals and targets that urgently need more action:

• Approximately 25% of all children in developing countries are underweight, and at risk of developing the long-term effects of undernourishment.
• More than 500,000 prospective mothers in developing countries die annually of complications from pregnancy or in childbirth.
• In Sub-Saharan Africa, the proportion of people living on just over a dollar a day is unlikely to be reduced by half.
• Additionally, in middle income countries like Mexico, Brazil, Romania, Macedonia, and Indonesia, inequality has also led to 'pockets of poverty,' consisting of socially excluded groups. Unless they receive specific attention,
  their countries will not reach the MDGs.
  

On June 14 and 15, Sisters Denise Boyle, Director, Kathie Uhler, Advocacy Officer and me (representing Franciscans International), attended a preparatory meeting in the General Assembly of the UN. NGOs (Non-Governmental Organizations) and other members of civil society and grass roots organizations attended to share their own perception of progress made -- or not made -- on the MDGs in their countries.

I thought of our Sisters, Associates, colleagues and benefactors who are working to realize the MDGs. We serve in collaboration with other religious and humanitarian workers wherever we are in the world. As I reflected on the United Nation's goals, I imagined each one of us as part of the solution. Do you see yourself in this picture?

† I was poor, hungry and illiterate and you recognized Me and Took Me to your heart. (Goals 1 and 2)
† I was a woman, unequal in society and you lifted Me up. (Goal 3)
† I was a poor child and expected to die and you nurtured Me to health. (Goal 4)
† I delivered my baby - and would have died - but for your help. (Goal 5)
† I had HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and you healed Me. (Goal 6)
† They were destroying My Creation, and you worked to restore It. (Goal 7)
† Greed was taking over the Planet's resources and you collaborated with others to develop them for all. (Goal 8)

When we look at the immensity of the challenges before all of us, we can thank God for the strength and the inspiration that we have. Jesus called his disciples the "Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World." Blessed Frances Schervier nudged us on by saying: "Courage and Confidence!"

Peace and all good things,

Sister Bernadette Sullivan, SFP

*Cf. http://www.undp.org/mdg/basics.shtml and look for Basic Facts about the MDGs