Linking Awareness and Likely Achievement of Global Millennium Development Goals: Evidence and Implications for Advocacy from 46 Countries

Abstract

Linking Awareness and Likely Achievement of Global Millennium Development Goals: Evidence and Implications for Advocacy from 46 Countries Peter S. Rankin, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia Elkana Ngwenya, Australian Maritime College, Australia Abstract: The MDGs are set to be achieved by 2015. With this deadline looming, it is important to assess the level of public awareness of MDGs, and correlate the observed level of awareness withlikely achievement of MDG indicators in the respective countries. In addition, it is useful to relate awareness and achievement with observed Human Development Index (HDI) and Gross Domestic Product Index (GDPI). In this paper, current data on MDG awareness, likely achievement of MDG indicators, HDI, and GDPI in 46 countries are used. Results suggest a positive relationship between likely achievement of MDG indicators and level of awareness in selected countries–indicating that MDG awareness increases a country’s likely achievement of MDG indicators. Discouragingly, on the other hand, countries with higher GDP or HDI exhibit lower levels of awareness and a proportionally lower likely achievement of MDG indicators. This observation may suggest that increasing GDP or HDI is associated with lower awareness and likely achievement of MDG indicators. It is posited in this study that increasing the level of MDG awareness in a country is a necessary condition for achieving more MDG indicators. It is essential, therefore, to set up reputable MDG advocacy groups in every country, regardless of the country’s current GPDI or HDI. In order to achieve sustainable and equitable global development public mindsets must be moulded into striving for improving human livelihoods, globally, as part of finding mechanisms for augmenting likely achievement of MDG indicators. The shift in mindset is particularly important given the array of country-specific conditions andrelationships that tend to constrain dedication to national, international, and global economic and non-economic commitments. Only with strong public support will the MDGs take precedence in political and social space and a higher global standard of human development be within grasp. Keywords: Global Millennium Development Goals, MDG Awareness, MDG Advocacy, GDP, Human Development Indicator