Thématique N°14

The Forgotten Ones of the Millennium Objectives (2006)

Throughout the past 12 years, the UN has proclamed 12 international decades as well as a Millennium Declaration. These decades are the result of ambitious objectives embodied around an obvious desire to make the world a better place. When these objectives are not reached, they must be renewed. [...] Today, it is more or less clear that, if this trend continues, the targeted goal will remain even further out of our grasp. [...]

Faced with this wave of commendable intentions, the political will of States is sometimes lacking. The UN is also behind on its reform efforts. In this respect, the Reform Plan of the High Commissioner of Human Rights recently submitted by its highest official, Louise Arbour, is a step in the right direction. Above all, this Plan suggests creating a special unit of the High Commissioner for carrying out the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as well as strengthening efforts to promote economic, social and cultural rights in the eyes of the public. We can only hope that this project will produce concrete results.