Kathy Calvin :
With just 15 days into the start of a new year, many of us are reflecting on our goals and aspirations for the next 350 days ahead. The year 2015 marks a historic chance for change – with our global leaders set to adopt a new development framework in September and climate change agreement in December.
These decisions will come into play as the world sets to conclude the Millennium Development Goals – our first set of global goals aimed at reducing poverty and improving the lives of millions.
Our collaborative approach to the MDGs since their inception in 2000 has shown us that immense progress is attainable. Together, we have cut global poverty in half, each day 17,000 more children survive, and deaths of mothers have been cut by nearly 50 percent since 1990. Yet, we still have more work to make sure no individual is left behind.
As we move into the new development agenda, we have the knowledge and tools to scale up our efforts. The start of 2015 allows us a moment to pause to reflect on what has worked in the past, where we need to go in the future, and the opportunity to create a strong pathway for success.
Just as with the MDGs, we will need to work together to see progress in the next 15 years. And we have started the year with unprecedented ambition. On Jan. 15, the “action/2015” movement will officially launch – bringing together more than 1,000 organizations from over 120 countries all voicing the need for change in ending poverty, inequality and climate change. From the Nigeria Network of NGOs to the ONE Campaign, Save the Children to Civicus, and World Vision International to the U.N. Foundation, organizations around the world are setting a path for meaningful collaboration to achieve the new goals.
Jan. 15 is more than just a day. With more than 50 countries planning activities, today will show us how the year ahead will be shaped by turning global decisions into local action. A few highlights include meetings between young campaigners with leaders in India, Nigeria and the United States, rallies in Bolivia and a cycling event in Costa Rica. The dialogue will take center stage on social media with various events on action/2015 partner channels – including Facebook, Twitter and Google+ – to raise awareness about the movement and the important global agreements that will be decided in 2015.
From coordinated rallies to in-person meetings with political representatives and youth representatives to online activation, the call for change in 2015 is palpable. It is an exciting way to start the year. We hope you will join us to help build the future we need.
(Kathy Calvin is president and chief executive officer of the United Nations Foundation. Her career has spanned work in the public, private and nonprofit sectors. )
