Millennium Development Goals, set by the United Nations 10 years ago, include initiatives to protect the environment, increase development aid, open the global trading and financial system, promote equality for women, and reduce maternal mortality by three-quarters and child mortality by two-thirds. Accomplishing these goals has been the responsibility of more than 180 countries which agreed in 2000, at the original Millennium Development Goals summit, to work with public and private groups to achieve success on behalf of the world?s needy.
One of the non-governmental organizations which has been working with world leaders to implement the eight Millennium Development Goals, is the U.S.-based . The international independent organization works in 120 countries on all seven continents providing support to more than 60 million children and millions of others, including caregivers, community members, local organizations and government agencies.
VOA spoke with Michael Klosson, a former U.S. Ambassador and longtime advocate for children, who is now Vice President for Policy and Humanitarian Response for Save the Children.
U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says he has a particular interest in Millennium Goals Four and Five which deal specifically with newborns and mothers in need around the world.
That is where organizations such as Save the Children come into the story. Mary Beth Powers, Chief of Save the Children's Newborn and Child Survival Campaign, attended the U.N. summit. VOA also spoke with her.
For more information about the Millennium Development Goals, go to the United Nations website: .
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