An Assessment of the UN's Millennium Development Goals and its Millennium Declaration

The United Nations’ Millennium Declaration, passed by the General Assembly in September 2000, is assessed with particular attention being given to the Millennium Development Goals and associated targets outlined in the Declaration. The focus of the article is not so much on the extent to which these goals are being met but on the adequacy of the Declaration itself. The fundamental values outlined in the Declaration are listed and assessed. The Millennium Development Goals are means for the attainment of these values, along with some other objectives specified in the Declaration. Both sets of objectives are examined, with most attention being given to the Millennium Development Goals and Targets. The Millennium Development Goals aim to reduce social and economic disadvantage globally by the eradication of extreme poverty and hunger, by achieving universal primary education, by promoting greater equality, and by satisfying particular health goals. In addition, they include the aim of ensuring environmental sustainability and the creation of a global partnership for development.