U.N. General Assembly to call for recommitment to MDGs
Episcopal News Service. September 24, 2008 [092408-02]
Mary Frances Schjonberg
The United Nations General Assembly on September 25 will call upon world leaders to renew efforts to achieve the Millennium Development Goals for social progress by 2015.
Episcopalians and Anglicans from across the world are in New York City to participate in advocacy events surrounding the General Assembly session, and Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams issued a call September 24 for a renewed commitment to the MDGs.
Meanwhile, in fulfillment of the recent Lambeth Conference's call, the Episcopal Church has designated September 25 as a day of prayer, fasting and witness. Liturgical and other resources are available here and here.
In Ottawa, Anglican Church of Canada Archbishop Fred Hiltz, and Bishop Susan Johnson, national bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada (ELCIC), will lead an ecumenical event, Walk of Witness -- Bringing it Home, to urge the Canadian government to fulfill its promise to end poverty, the Anglican Journal reported.
In a news release describing what is being called "the High-Level Event," the UN General Assembly noted that "at the halfway point towards the target date, significant progress has been made, but urgent and increased efforts are needed by all stakeholders in order to meet the goals by 2015."
"The High-level Event will be a forum for world leaders to review progress, identify gaps, and commit to concrete efforts, resources and mechanisms to bridge the gaps," the release said.
In a video message Williams backed calls for a renewal of the pledges made by the international community in 2000, and spoke of the need for the members of the Anglican Communion to work in harmony with governments and non-governmental organizations around the world in order to achieve the MDGs by 2015.
"Much of the work that's being done by the Anglican Church covers very comprehensively the Millennium Development Goals," Williams said in the video message. "We want to anchor that work in worldwide co-operation. We want to do that work in synergy with those governments and NGOs who are working for the same end. And we want to let governments and NGOs know that we are there and we are ready."
A transcript of Williams' message is available here.
The archbishop's message echoes a "manifesto" the Lambeth Conference of bishops presented to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown July 24 at the conclusion of the gathering's Walk of Witness in London. In that statement the bishops urged that:
"When they meet in New York at the United Nations on 25th September, world leaders must find greater political commitment to addressing poverty and inequality. A timetable for achieving the MDGs by 2015 needs to be created. Our leaders need to invest in and strengthen their partnership with the Church worldwide, so that its extensive delivery network for education and health care, alongside other faiths, is fully utilized in the eradication of extreme poverty."
The manifesto from the Lambeth Conference Walk of Witness can be found here.
A smaller Walk of Witness made up of Anglican Communion bishops and others will take place September 25 starting from the Episcopal Church Center in Manhattan and ending several blocks away at the UN's Dag Hammarskjold Plaza.
At the UN building, Archbishop of York John Sentamu will be part of a panel presentation launching "Education for All: Class of 2015," an initiative of commitments to the second MDG of achieving universal primary education for all. A number of government officials and others including Brown and former U.S. President Bill Clinton will also participate.
Later in the day, there will be a "rally" and "teach-in" on the steps of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine, followed by a "Service of Recommitment and Witness of the Achievement of the MDGs." Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori will be the officiant and Sentamu will preach. There will be interfaith participation in the service.
At a reception following the service, government and church figures will highlight the role of faith groups in achieving the MDGs, according to new releases.