Eradicating poverty – Sustainable Development Goals

Prayer is sought for an important United Nations summit happening in New York this weekend (26-27 September) that could have a huge impact on the poorest people in the world

Ten years ago, thousands of Christians marched and campaigned to ‘Make Poverty History’.

Poverty is sadly still with us, but it has been reduced considerably by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) the world has been working on the last 15 years. 

The MDGs’ deadline has run out this year and this weekend at a United Nations summit in New York, a new set of goals is going to be agreed by world leaders – the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

These are set to affect how governments, NGOs and the private sector tackle poverty in all its forms over the next 15 years.  
 
The outcome of this summit will have an impact on the success of the SDGs to eradicate poverty, according to BMS Manager for Mission Steve Sanderson.

'It is going to be hugely important that those in New York commit themselves to some very bold targets, commit themselves to a bold level of funding and that the indicators that they seek will be realistic and ambitious. 
 
'Our prayer is that there is a huge buy-in from the countries that can make a difference, and that there is ownership across the board at government level, industry level, as well as among NGOs.

'The private sector and governments have other priorities aside from poverty eradication – for them to be fully brought in is going to prove whether the SDGs are a success or not.'
 
Please pray for this important United Nations summit on your own and at your church this weekend. Pray that it will be successful and will transform the lives of the most vulnerable people in the world.  
 

To find out more: 

Your comprehensive guide to the UN's Sustainable Development Goals summit - from the Guardian
 
Millennium Children: TV programme exploring what life is like for the poorest children 15 years after the turn of the Millennium. Originally broadcast on BBC 1 on Tuesday 22 September. Warning: contains strong language.
 
Don’t panic – How to end poverty in 15 years: programme on the SDGs and how realistic they could be in eradicating poverty by 2030. First broadcast on BBC2 on Wednesday 23 September.

 

This article first appeared on the website of BMS World Mission and is used with permission