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Independent Report Gives Failing Grades to Efforts to Improve the State of the World

Independent Report Gives Failing Grades to Efforts to Improve the State of the World

Published 01-16-04

Submitted by World Economic Forum

GENVEA - A report released today by the World Economic Forum paints a disappointing picture of attempts to meet the major goals that have been established by the international community to improve the state of the world. A team of over 40 experts from around the world overseen by a distinguished steering committee has concluded that governments, international organizations, business and civil society are engaging in only about one-third of the effort and partnership necessary to realize the United Nations Millennium Declaration goals.

The first annual report of the World Economic Forum's Global Governance Initiative (GGI) represents a year-long independent analysis by seven groups of some of the world's leading experts in the areas of peace and security, poverty, hunger, education, health, environment and human rights. In September 2000, at the Millennium Summit of the United Nations, leaders from 189 countries endorsed a set of objectives in these areas, many with a specific deadline of 2015. The report finds that during 2003, in no single area did the international community warrant more than a score of 4 on a scale of 0 to 10 measuring the level of effort and cooperation necessary to achieve the goals:


  • Peace and Security 3

  • Poverty 4

  • Hunger 3

  • Education 3

  • Health 4

  • Environment 3

  • Human Rights 3

At the same time, the report highlights the positive results of numerous innovative programmes in each sector, suggesting that the goals are achievable with the requisite increase in commitment by all sectors. The Global Governance Initiative is unique in evaluating the contributions of the private sector and civil society as well as those of governmental actors towards achieving the goals. According to Steering Committee member Sir Mark Moody-Stuart, Chairman of Anglo American: "All elements of society need to work much more effectively if we are to meet the goals by 2015; no one group on its own can achieve the goals." Furthermore, the Initiative shows the important linkages between critical issues of international concern. Sadako Ogata, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency, said: "The attempt to link the security sector with the development agenda is particularly significant. Focusing on the security and development nexus will go a long way in pushing the global agenda for the benefit of all who suffer daily threats and poverty."

Mary Robinson, Executive Director of the Ethical Globalization Initiative and former President of Ireland, adds: "To achieve human dignity for all, internationally agreed targets must be considered simultaneously and through coordinated strategies which identify the different responsibilities of all actors in society."

The report devotes one chapter to each of the above areas, highlighting notable problems as well as successes during the past year. According to Moisés Naím, Editor-in-Chief of Foreign Policy magazine: "This is a rigorous, hard-headed approach to assess how much progress the world is
making in addressing what everyone agrees are urgent priorities. It provides a reliable tool to chart the progress being made. If this initiative did not exist it would have to be quickly invented." John Ruggie, a special adviser to the UN Secretary-General, adds: "No doubt it will generate controversy, but that in itself can play a healthy and constructive role in improving overall performance." By providing clear success stories in all areas, the GGI is "forward looking and suitable for all to read and take action on", says Kumi Naidoo, Secretary-General and Chief Executive Officer of CIVICUS, the World Alliance for Citizen Participation, South Africa.

Surin Pitsuwan, a member of the Royal Thai Parliament, said: "We have heard so many complaints about globalization going in the wrong direction. The World Economic Forum has now come up with a practical measurement tool to monitor its pace and path, to make sure that it is equitable, inclusive and compassionate."

Al Sommer, Dean of the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, stated: "It is no surprise that achievements have, to date, fallen far short of needs. The GGI assessments provide an early warning that unless collaboration, partnerships, responsibility and investments increase appreciably, the world will not achieve these important global goals."

Richard Samans, Managing Director of the World Economic Forum's newly created Global Institute for Partnership and Governance, which organized the project, said: "Particularly striking is the consistency of the appraisals by the seven groups, which worked independently. Across the board, they found that the international community is simply not trying hard enough. The report shines an independent spotlight on the large gap between our aspirations and our actions."

Other Steering Committee members: Strobe Talbott, President, The Brookings Institution; Maurice Strong, President, University for Peace; Yotaro Kobayashi, Chairman, Fuji Xerox Company; Mirai Chatterjee, Coordinator, Self-Employed Women's Association; Walter Fust, Director-General, Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation; John English, Executive Director, Center for International Governance Innovation; Jim Balsillie, Chairman and Co-Chief Executive Officer, Research in Motion; Simon Maxwell, Director, Overseas Development Institute; Youssou N'Dour, Artist and Chairman, Youth Network for Development Foundation; Njongonkulu Ndungane, Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa; Carlos Bulgheroni, Chairman, Bridas Corporation; François Heisbourg, Director, Fondation pour la Recherche Stratégique; Christine Loh, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Civic Exchange; Ismail Serageldin, Director, Bibliotheca Alexandrina; Yu Yongding, Director, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences; Robert Archer, Executive Director, International Council on Human Rights Policy; Christopher Colclough, Professorial Fellow, Institute of Development Studies, University of Sussex; Gareth Evans, President, International Crisis Group; Jonathan Lash, President, World Resources Institute; Nora Lustig, President, University of the Americas Puebla; Per Pinstrup-Andersen, Professor of Food, Nutrition and Public Policy, Cornell University; Ann Florini, Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution (ex officio); José María Figueres, Co-Chief Executive Officer, World Economic Forum (ex officio); and Klaus Schwab, Executive Chairman, World Economic Forum (ex officio).

The Global Governance Initiative benefits from the partnership support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and the Center for
International Governance Innovation.

The Fact Sheet is available at: http://www.weforum.org/documents/dam04/GGI_factsheet.pdf. The full Executive Summary will be released in London on 15 January and at the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos which takes place from 21 to 25 January. The text can be downloaded at: http://www.weforum.org/globalgovernance

For additional information, please contact Richard Samans, Managing Director, World Economic Forum, at richard.samans@weforum.org, or Project Director Ann Florini, Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution, at aflorini@brookings.edu, or e-mail globalgovernance@weforum.org

About The World Economic Forum
The World Economic Forum is the foremost global community of business, political, intellectual and other leaders of society committed to improving the state of the world.

Incorporated as a foundation, and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the World Economic Forum is impartial and not-for-profit; it is tied to no political, partisan or national interests. The Forum has NGO consultative status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations. (http://www.weforum.org).

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