Introduction The Millennium Goals represent a global partnership for development. The deal makes clear that it is the primary responsibility of poor countries to work towards achieving the first seven Goals. They must do their part to ensure greater accountability to citizens and efficient use of resources. But for poor countries to achieve the first seven Goals, it is absolutely critical that rich countries deliver on their end of the bargain with more and more effective aid, more sustainable debt relief and fairer trade rules, well in advance of 2015. Prayer for Global Solidarity O Creator, Our world is large, and yet the global community is so fragile. We glimpse the needs of our sisters and brothers, And those needs are great. We want to turn away, but you call us back. We want simple solutions, But you want us to help solve the complex problems. Through your church, you call us to listen, to learn, to reflect and to act. Give us a deep sense of our place in this web of Creation. Give us the wisdom of mind And generosity of heart To seek your will in the world today. Inspire us to respond to the call to solidarity with impoverished countries of the world, So that all children of God mightlive in dignity and peace. Amen. Target 8a: Develop further an open, rule-based, predictable, non-discriminatory trading and financial system Includes a commitment to good governance, development and poverty reduction – both nationally and internationally Target 8b: Address the special needs of the least developed countries Includes: tariff and quota free access for the least developed countries' exports; enhanced programme of debt relief for heavily indebted poor countries (HIPC) and cancellation of official bilateral debt; and more generous ODA for countries committed to poverty reduction Target 8c: Address the specia l needs of landlocked developing countries and small island developing States (through the Programme of Action for the Sustainable Development of Small Island Developing States and the outcome of the twenty-second special session of the General Assembly) Target 8d: Deal comprehensively with the debt problems of developing countries through national and international measures in order to make debt sustainable in the long term Did you know? >  Hunger continues to be a global tragedy. Its elimination requires a concerted and persistent worldwide effort. The Millennium Project Task Force on Hunger is convinced that hunger can be halved by 2015. Indeed, the task force will not be satisfied with the attainment of that goal; it sees reaching the hunger MDG as a milestone in the global effort to eradicate hunger. [Source: Halving Hunger, It Can Be Done, Millennium Project, 2005]                                                     >  The United Nations estimates that unfair trade rules deny poor countries $700 billion every year. Less than 0.01% of this could save the sight of 30 million people. (Source:http://www.christianaid.org.uk/)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            >  In 1970, 22 of the world's richest countries pledge to spend 0.7 % of their national income on aid.                   Thirty-four years later, only 5 countries have kept their promise.                                                                   (Source:  http://www.savethechildren.org/)                                                                      >  The poorest 49 countries make up 10% of the world's population but account for only 0.4% of world trade. Their share has halved since 1980. (Source:http://www.christianaid.org.uk/) A few examples of partnerships in action: UNICEF  National Committees represent UNICEF throughout the industrialized world, advocating for children and for meeting the Goals.  They establish relationships with private sector partners, volunteers and donors, raising nearly a third of UNICEF’s income. The Japan National Committee, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2005, was the first Committee to have raised more than $100 million in a single year for UNICEF. The Czech Committee works with a national magazine that has improved coverage of UNICEF initiatives such as birth registration and ending child labour.  The Belgian Committee mobilized an aircraft to send emergency supplies just hours after an earthquake devastated the city of Bam in the Republic of Iran. Governments are an essential link in any UNICEF activity and one reason why many of its activities include research-based advocacy. Building on field experience and in alliance with other UN agencies, UNICEF works to stimulate dialogue on national frameworks, legislative reforms and budget allocations affecting children and women. Corporations have joined forces with National Committees an d Country Offices to raise awareness and funds for UNICEF.  Check Out for Children, a partnership with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, has helped UNICEF immunize over 500,000 young people with donations of $10 million since 1995.  IKEA and UNICEF teamed up to end child labor in India.  The five-year, $1.4 million alliance focuses on prevention and elimination of child exploitation in the carpet belt of Uttar Pradesh.  The initiative reached 402,000 people in 200 villages by the end of 2003. Delivering on Global Partnership   Important gaps remain in delivering on the global commitments in the areas of trade, debt relief      and access to new technologies and to affordable medicines.  In moving toward 2015, urgent    reponses are needed to bridge the existing implementation gaps to make good on the promises    made to achieve the Millenium Development Goals.  A report by the UN Millenium Development    Goals Gap Task Force identifies these gaps in detail and provides recommendations to all major    stakeholders on how to address these gaps.   http://www.un.org/esa/policy/mdggap/mdg8report_engw.pdf