| Scoring One for the Millennium Development Goals |
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24/08/2009 A new initiative to create awareness on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) in Somalia was recently launched in Hargeisa and Garowe. This initiative seeks to use sports and media to create a sustained advocacy campaign to promote the MDGs in Somalia.  During the launch on 12 August 2009, hundreds of youths turned up in Hargeisa and Garowe stadia to watch the initial matches of a football tournament that will usher in the campaign. Prior to the matches, the youth made processions through the streets carrying publicity materials on the MDGs. The event also marked International Youth Day. The theme of this year’s celebration was “Sustainability: Our Challenge. Our Future.” The tournament, organized jointly by UNDP and UNFPA in Garowe and by UNDP in Hargeisa, is a tool for mobilizing the youth. It provides an opportunity to sensitize them on what the Millennium Development Goals are, how their lives relate to the goals, and the role of different actors in achieving the goals. Apart from football, the campaign will also incorporate radio programmes, billboards, newspaper articles, comic strips, focus group discussions, and sensitization workshops to educate the public on the MDGs. The Millennium Development Goals are eight goals to be achieved by 2015 that respond to the world's main development challenges. The MDGs are drawn from the actions and targets contained in the Millennium Declaration, which was adopted by 189 nations - and signed by 147 heads of state and government - during the UN Millennium Summit in September 2000. Somalia faces significant challenges in achieving the MDGs. Persistent insecurity, coupled with natural disasters such as floods and droughts, have contributed to Somalia's stunted development and economic growth, and to some of the most dismal MDG indicators worldwide. One of the challenges is the dismally low awareness of MDGs among audiences at all levels — a situation that deters their attainment. In order for Somalis to realize their basic human rights, understand the significance of the goals, and identify who is accountable for assisting them in achieving the goals, there is a need to enhance advocacy and awareness. |