UN Millennium Development Goals

WAGGGS’ Global Action Theme (GAT) is girls worldwide say “together we can change our world”. It affirms WAGGGS’ commitment to the most compelling global agenda of this decade: the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The WAGGGS initiative encourages girls, young women and members of all ages to make a personal commitment to change the world around them.

Ending poverty was the historic promise made by 189 world leaders at the United Nations Millennium Summit in 2000. Through eight interlinked areas of focus, the aim is to improve the lives of the poorest people in the world as well as raise awareness in everyone about these issues. All UN member states signed up to measurable targets with clear deadlines, the ultimate deadline being 2015, by which all goals should be achieved.

WAGGGS, alongside other NGOs and civil society must act to ensure that governments keep their promises.

WAGGGS encourages everyone to take action and change the world around them. Beginning at a personal level, how can you change your friends and family to be more effective? At a national level, how can your organization influence your community?

Based on the UN’s eight MDG topics, WAGGGS has created inspiring and youth-friendly messages that can be used at GAT events and in activities. Logos for each message can be downloaded by clicking on the message.

Millennium Development Goals and WAGGGS Messages

MDG 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger	girls worldwide say “together we can end extreme poverty and hunger”
MDG 2: Achieve universal primary education	girls worldwide say “education opens doors for all girls and boys”
MDG 3: Promote gender equality and empower women	girls worldwide say “empowering girls will change our world”
MDG 4: Reduce child mortality	girls worldwide say “together we can save children’s lives”
MDG 5: Improve maternal health	girls worldwide say “every mother’s life and health is precious”
MDG 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases	girls worldwide say “we can stop the spread of AIDS, malaria and other diseases”
MDG 7: Ensure environmental sustainability	girls worldwide say “we can save our planet”
MDG 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development	girls worldwide say “we can create peace through partnerships”

Learn about the MDGs

As a comprehensive introduction to the MDGs, the UN has created an online course: ‘Core Concepts of the MDGs’. This free course will give you a broader understanding of the MDGS.

Find out more about the Global Action theme, how to take action and the resource pack on the ‘Projects’ section.