Act Now on 2015

Along with over 60 Irish non-governmental development organisations, Foundation Nepal is involved in the Act Now on 2015 campaign. The aim of this is to encourage the Irish government to honour its commitment to the Millennium Development Goals by spending 0.7% of national income on overseas aid by 2015.

The Millennium Development Goals

Ireland and 191 other countries signed up to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) at the Millennium Summit in September 2000. The MDGS represent an unprecedented shared framework to eradicate extreme poverty through coordinated global action. This historical declaration was a global deal in which rich and poor governments agreed to unite in an unprecedented common effort to eliminate poverty and hunger, work towards achieving gender equality, fight environmental degradation, and reverse the advancement of HIV/AIDS, while improving access to education, health care and clean water, all by 2015.

The MDGs are not just lofty statements of intent – precise monitoring mechanisms have been put in place, in the form of national Millennium Goals reports and the Secretary General’s reports to the General Assembly.

Since 2000, poor countries have invested heavily in the policies and mechanisms that are required, and rich countries have increased the amounts of money they are making available for overseas aid. But more action is needed now: The MDGs will only be achieved if donor countries like Ireland keep their promises on overseas aid.

In support of the MDGs, Ireland pledged to increase its overseas aid, so that we would reach the UN target of spending 0.7% of national income on overseas aid. Since its original pledge in 2000, the Government has twice shifted the date for achieving this international commitment, and now states that its aim is to reach the UN target of a minimum 0.7% by 2015 at the latest.
 

Now is the time for action

2010 is a critical year for the international community’s efforts to make poverty history: With five years to go until the deadline for the eradication of the worst forms of poverty, and with a major UN Summit taking place in New York in September 2010, this is the year that promises need to be turned into action. Ireland cannot afford to go to New York, without tangible proof that we will keep our promise to the world’s poorest people.
 

Play your part

To encourage the Irish government to honour its commitment of spending 0.7% of national income on overseas aid by 2015, we’re asking you to do two things:
(1) Write to your local TDs now – Visit the Act Now on 2015 website. All you have to do is select where you live on the map, enter your contact details and click send
(2) Organise or take part in a Stand Up and Take Action Against Poverty event between 17-19 September 2010 just before leaders arrive at the UN MDG+10 Summit in New York
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