PM’s appointment an opportunity for Australia to lead on child health

Thursday, June 21, 2012

World Vision Australia has welcomed the Prime Minister’s appointment as co-chair of the United Nations' Millennium Development Goals Advocacy Group.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard will be working with Rwandan Prime Minister Paul Kakgame, economist Jeffrey Sachs, singer Bob Geldof and CNN founder Ted Turner to promote the world’s blueprint for tackling poverty.

The group will support UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in building political will and mobilising international action to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

“It is fantastic that our Prime Minister has been appointed to the MDG’s Advocacy Group,” said World Vision Australia chief executive Tim Costello. “This group is a pivotal player in the global fight against poverty.”

“This announcement offers a great opportunity for Australia to be a leader in discussions and action to eradicate severe poverty and inequality around the world.”

Since 2000 the global effort to reach the MDG targets has achieved a 30% cut in child deaths, a 35% cut in maternal deaths and turned around the three great infectious diseases of HIV, TB and malaria.owever, there are still significant MDG milestones to be achieved leading up to the 2015 target date.

Australia is already one of the global leaders in promoting education for all children, but more attention is needed in the area of child health. Health and nutrition in the first three years of a child's life is critical to ensuring lifelong physical and cognitive health - it is the basis for all development.

“The international community have the tools and resources to achieve the MDGs, but it is critical that all Government’s prioritise them,” Mr Costello said. “If the PM can convince world leaders to act now on child nutrition, health and education, she will have made a significant contribution to the MDGs.”

Media contact: Gabrielle Brophy – 0407 575 112

Media Releases, Poverty, Asia and the Pacific, Australian Government, Foreign Aid, Julia Gillard, Millennium Development Goals, United Nations

Back to all Results