The MDGs are the product of years of campaigning and fervent advocacy on the part of global civil society, grassroots organizations, and youth activism. However, now more than ever, young activists have become politicized in ending preventable causes to human suffering. Canadian youths recognize the connections between the global economy, global political movements, and the complexities of people’s daily lives. The MDGs challenge national governments to be accountable for the needs of the world’s most vulnerable.
Having admitted that time is a necessary prerequisite for eradicating social and economic inequities, two main questions remain to be answered when thinking about how the MDGs will bring about their desired results. First, can the MDGs offer a remedy for structural problems within the international system? Second, if the MDGs are achieved by 2015, how can we ensure that the improved social indicators attained will not slip back into retrograde?
This article aims to contribute to the debate and analysis of international power holders and their accountability in making positive social changes. According to Social Watch, raising funds to fulfill our objectives is pivotal, and remains our greatest challenge. In order for the MDGs to be successful, the leaders of the global economic forces need to take responsibility. It is unclear whether measures are being taken to allocate funds to the campaign.
Thanks to grassroots advocacy and youth activism, criticism directed toward the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank has resulted in the cancellation of the debt for Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC). However, despite such efforts,The World Trade Organization (WTO) remains the most dominant international economic institution that is legally binding. The rules and regulations of the WTO threaten the sovereignty of developing states, and perpetuate the problems incurred as a result of free trade, such as environmental degradation and poor labour standards.
Providing remedies for the depravity of current human conditions will be an uphill battle if global financial giants continue to contribute to fundamental structural problems in the international system. If successful, it will be difficult to maintain the progress of the eight proposed goals.
Hopeful youths understand this reality and thus, become further aggravated by the prospect of the MDGs campaign becoming yet another failed attempt to fight against poverty.
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