In the midst of all the flurry of the debate over the new Constitution for Zambia, we must not forget some other very important topics that affect the daily lives of all our citizens. Topics like poverty, education, health, women's rights, environment. These topics, of course, are central in the draft Constitution, being very well treated in Part VI, the Bill of Rights, where economic, social and cultural rights are enshrined.
But these important topics are also taken up in the lively discussions going on now about the "Millennium Development Goals" (MDGs). These are the goals drawn up and pledged in 2000 by the United Nations Millennium Summit of 189 Heads of State and Governments. The eight goals, with 18 targets, cover the range of human improvement and livelihoods desired by all peoples. In mid-September, the UN will hold another Summit of world leaders to examine progress on meeting the goals by the targeted date of 2015.
In preparation for the UN Summit, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning will this week hold a conference to explore the attainment of these goals here in Zambia. Stakeholders will be expected to evaluate how Zambia has been doing since the commitment was made to the MDGs and what prospects there are for achieving the goals by 2015. The adverts for this government conference optimistically highlight the very positive thesis: "It's Possible!"
"It's Possible!" But is it?
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