UN High Level Panel sets framework for post-2015 development expectations

The High-level Panel of Eminent Persons on the Post-2015 Development Agenda—more commonly known simply as the "High Level Panel"—placed two ambitious challenges in front of the global community: eliminating extreme poverty and ending preventable child deaths. The Post-2015 Agenda is what is to guide the development community and national governments after the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) end in 2015.

The report released on 30 May will serve as a framework for the upcoming discussions between UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, and the member states to define the new set of goals for post-2015.

World Vision conveyed the reactions of several children and youth who have taken active roles in their countries’ Post-2015 consultations to the panel and across social media. Diamond, an 18-year-old boy from Albania summed up the global response to the report when he said, “The goals are not perfect, but we are clearly on the right path.”

“I am happy with the goals because they can improve the lives of children that have been neglected in the past. The two most important goals for me: Ensure a stable and peaceful society and the one on the quality education because both can enable youth to develop their potential and fight poverty” said Alice, 14, from Sierra Leone.

World Vision welcomes the strong focus on children, the recognition that the needs of the most vulnerable must be met to end poverty, the commitment to end preventable deaths of infants and children under five and to improve child protection. It is clear from the wording of these areas of the report that World Vision’s messages during the consultation process influenced and shaped this report.

“Within the recommendations, the target to end preventable child deaths is the clearest bellwether of the international community’s ability to stay the course and deliver on ambitious goals” says Charles Badenoch, leader for Advocacy and Justice for Children - World Vision. “It’s within reach, but the last mile will be the hardest because deaths are concentrated in fragile states where there isn’t enough focus or investment.”

Although there are some identified gaps like the absence of breastfeeding as a key to eliminate child mortality, World Vision’s response is positive and we’ll work to ensure that the goals that are set based on this report are as close as possible to the recommendations made in it to the Secretary General.

“We believe it is truly a move forward,” declared Mr Badenoch. “The goals move from the MDG ambition that children survive, to demanding that they thrive.”

What’s next?

Ban Ki-Moon will now take this report along with other consultations that took place in the last months and will provide his own recommendations to the member states in September during the United Nations General Assembly. That will signal the beginning of political negotiations towards a global agreement on a new set of goals by 2015. World Vision will actively engage in this process in New York and at the regional and country level.