Unfortunately, I have classes during the day, otherwise I would be following the Summit live, like these people: The Guardian (UK News source). You can also submit your own comments here (or on Twitter at GdnDevelopment). AS IF THAT WERE NOT ENOUGH, You can also watch the LIVE WEBCAST!!! (Yes, I am going crazy with all the resources I’m discovering right now.)
Also, on the website is a great resource that has a list of the reports relating to the MDGs, some of which I have shared with you & some I haven’t.
Day One (Highlights):
The President of the World Bank spoke, gave statistics and proposed “joined-up” thinking, definitely trying to push MDG #8, Global Partnership. Much of the talk at the summit will revolve around “how to get the best bang for the development buck.”
Later, the Overseas Development Institute gave a presentation on their country-by-country MDG report card.
The official opening remarks were not made until 3:30PM, by none other than Ban-ki Moon. He stressed urgency and cooperation, but remained optimistic and said that these goals are achievable.
There are various organizations/projects mentioned in this update, so please take a look at those, as I’m sure it will come in handy for writing resolutions.
Hilary Clinton revealed a $50million plan for clean cooking stoves.
There was a focus on maternal mortality (a topic we will not cover in our debate, but important nonetheless).
Around 2:30PM, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian president, spoke and blamed “the countless suffering of humanity” on liberal capitalism. (Interpreters indicate that they were reading from pre-written text and not directly translating from what he said, which this reporter noted as “practically incomprehensible.”) As much as this summit is supposed to be about global partnership, politics cannot be avoided. An hour later, Mugabe the president of Zimbabwe also made jabs at countries that have inflicted economic sanctions on his country. Are actions such as these detrimental to the full achievement of these goals?
Chancellor Angela Merkel of Germany emphasizes that “good governance” is important as aid itself–another important point that should be kept in mind for the purpose of our debate.
To be continued. . . .
