After 2015, the world can expect fresh goals for global development.
On Monday, the World Bank President’s Envoy and former Managing Director of the World Bank Group Mahmoud Mohieldin presented his vision for the post-2015 development agenda to students in Huntsman Hall.
Currently, the United Nations is striving to implement eight Millenium Development Goals by 2015. The MDGs are objectives introduced by the UN in the 1990s to raise global standards of living. After 2015, the UN and the World Bank are looking to set new goals.
At the global level there has been significant progress on the MDGs, Mohieldin said. Much of the progress can be attributed to a few large countries, while others are lagging behind.
The emerging vision for the post-2015 framework envisages “transformative shifts” to ensure no individual is left without food, education and medical treatment. The initiatives also include sustainable development, peace and good governance and forging a new global partnerships between developing and developed countries.
Mohieldin emphasized that fighting corruption is important, but that aid to developing countries should not be stopped because some of the aid will not reach the most needy.
Mohieldin used Korea — a country that depended on aid at first but became independent later on — to illustrate that recipient countries should not rely on aid, but should use it as a catalyst for future growth.
“It’s exciting and encouraging to know that institutions like the World Bank are looking for ideas from college students,” Wharton and Engineering sophomore Matt Schulman said after the event. “Young people are more willing to take risks, and Penn is an especially relevant place to discuss these issues.”
Engineering sophomore Ray Lei had a more neutral reaction. He said that the content of the presentation was very general and free of controversies.
Currently, very few collaborative programs exist between Penn and the World Bank. Legal Studies lecturer Djordjija Petkoski, who helped organize the event, said that the University has been trying to build up the connection.
The Daily Pennsylvanian is an independent, student-run newspaper. Please consider making a donation to support the coverage that shapes the University. Your generosity ensures a future of strong journalism at Penn.
DonatePlease note All comments are eligible for publication in The Daily Pennsylvanian.