Director-General of the Planning Institute of Jamaica, Dr. Wesley Hughes.
Audia Barnett, Contributor
COMPULSIVE GOAL-SETTING is almost inevitable at the beginning of each year, more so than any other time. However, without this exercise, we often fail in addressing our aspirations and needs. Jamaica's recent launch of the National Millennium Development Report brings into sharp focus this point. However, in order to fully appreciate this we need to reflect on the genesis of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and assess how as a people, we fit in.
It has been recognised from time immemorial that there are rich countries and there are poor countries. However, what has been of grave concern among the more enlightened, is twofold: with all the development seen in the world over the past century - the rich are getting richer and the poor, poorer, leading to a widening of the chasm between the rich and the poor. Some feel that the rich are actually getting fat at the expense of the poor - but that is for another discussion.
The other disturbing feature relates to an uneasy premonition that there may be a strong correlation between the risk of annihilation of the rich industrialised countries and the size of this widening gap. Irrespective of the motives, it is clear that the needs of the poor among us deserve increased and unwavering attention.
This led to the events of September 2000, when at the United Nations Millennium Summit, world leaders set time-bound and measurable goals and targets for combating poverty, hunger, disease, illiteracy, environmental degradation and discrimination against women, fashioned into what are now known as the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). More than 180 countries agreed to the 2015 goal post for working towards eight MDGs which specifically speak to:
Halving extreme poverty and hunger Achieving universal primary education Empowering women and promoting equality between the sexes Reducing under-five mortality by two-thirds Reducing maternal mortality by three-quarters Reversing the spread of diseases, especially HIV/AIDS and malaria Ensuring environmental sustainability Creating a global partnership for development, with targets for aid, trade and debt relief.This was a significant turning point, since the UN enjoys international respect and is uniquely positioned to assist countries in respond to the MDGs, utilising key indicators of progress. UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan has repeatedly spoken of the significance of this co-ordinated campaign and has instituted a mechanism for monitoring the progress globally. As such, country-level reports are required at regular intervals.
JAMAICA'S REPORT
The Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) was instrumental in the formulation and compilation of the progress report, which, at a glance is encouraging. Many strides have been made in the eight key areas. This must be seen in the context of not only taking our international responsibility seriously, but also in the genuine commitment for the improvement of the quality of life of our nationals. Even prior to the MDGs, a review of Jamaica's programmes towards employment creation, poverty eradication and increased self-sufficiency will reveal a menu of impressive initiatives. Regrettably many of these were neither sustained nor sustainable for one reason or another.
The National Report on the progress in achieving the MDGs highlights some challenges which have to be addressed if we are to (as is inferred by the Report) achieve the goals in the time frame allotted. It is accepted that a multi-faceted approach is necessary to overcome these hurdles. What is not transparent however, is the role of science and technology in tackling some of our persistent problems. Case in point - the report reveals that rural poverty in 2001 was more than three times that of the Kingston Metropolitan Area (KMA) not surprising, but certainly a wake up call! Similarly, the problem of unemployed youths in inner cities.
Several initiatives currently underway are geared to addressing both concerns and have real promise if well coordinated and resourced. The report concludes that challenges of achieving further poverty reduction and environmental sustainability were of lingering concern, particularly taking into consideration the adequacy of supportive mechanisms. That the two areas are inextricably linked, was not acknowledged. However, there are those among us who will boldly claim that knowledge and sustainable use of the country's biodiversity present opportunities which could impact positively on rural poverty and environmental sustainability.
A quick revisit of yet another country report, this time in response to our obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity, will illustrate the point that integrating the multiplicity of recommendations and strategies which inevitably are spawned in these reports should be considered as a first step. Globally, the trends are apparent, many solutions have been found through the adoption of scientific, technological and innovative approaches. The absence in the report of even an intuitive reference (except for the reference to the increasing use of computers and the internet), to Science and Technology, indirectly spotlights the inherent, resident nonchalance in many of our planners, power brokers and decision-makers towards the potential that exists in scientific and technological solutions. The national report while expertly prepared, did little to advance what has been widely accepted and demonstrated world-wide, that small developing states such as Jamaica need to promote, invest in, and utilise Science and Technology for national and economical growth and development.
As aptly summarised by Calestous Juma, Professor of the Practice of International Development at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, in a report commissioned by UN Secretary-General Annan, "There is an urgent need for developing countries to pursue those public policies that begin to tap the tremendous benefits promised by science, technology and innovation. They have the opportunity, within the next five years, to take giant steps toward meeting the Millennium Development Goals set forth by the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000."
Jamaica, pontificate if we must, but let us not lose sight of immediate action that must be taken if we are to realise our goals.
Dr. Audia Barnett is the executive director of the Scientific Research Council.
