Say Yes, Spring 2005: Editorial

The eight inter-connected MDGs are the measure by which signatory nations of the Millennium Declaration (MD) will gauge their progress in realising everyone’s right to peace, security and development by 2015. Broad in scope and far-reaching in their intent, the MDGs are attainable objectives that should change the lives of the children and people of the world for the better. However, as world leaders meet to review progress and reaffirm their commitment to the MDGs at the approaching Millennium +5 Summit, concern is growing at the slow and uneven implementation of the Millennium Development Goals.

As with other countries pursuing the MDGs, it is time for Turkey to take stock and ask what have we done for the children? The reply is mixed: although there have been improvements in maternal and child health, girls’ education and, to a limited extent, women’s empowerment, Turkey has unfortunately stalled on the issue of poverty for the past two decades. This barrier to progress is illustrated by the fact that just under a third of the population continue to live with food and non-food poverty as they did in 1987 -- and it is the children who suffer most.

The effect of inequality and poverty on well-being and development means that children grow up without access to the quality basic services that would allow them to realise their potential. By the time they reach adulthood, they are unprepared to contribute their best to their own families and by extension the society on whose margins they struggle to survive. So the cycle is perpetuated and development stalls.

Development cannot proceed without heavy investment in sustainable health and education initiatives targeting the poor, the socially excluded and most importantly children. In this respect, the MDGs provide an historic opportunity for developed and developing nations to work together, applying resources to the eradication of poverty and gender discrimination, giving all children a quality education, good health care and the opportunity to realise their full potential in life.

As a partner in this enterprise, UNICEF has every confidence that Turkey’s progress towards achieving the MDGs will ultimately prove to be an example for the rest of the world.

Edmond McLoughney
UNICEF Representative, Turkey

PS: We’d very much like to hear readers reactions to this issue, so please feel free to contact us with your comments and suggestions.

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