Real work has only just begun, says World Vision ahead of historic summit to adopt global development goals

NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2015 /CNW/ - Ahead of the UN summit to adopt new Sustainable Development Goals, aid agency World Vision says the real work has only just begun, and is urging politicians and policy makers to hit the ground running if they are to capitalise on this historic opportunity to end extreme poverty within a generation.

Over 150 heads of state will gather in New York from 25 to 27 September to adopt an ambitious agenda to eradicate extreme poverty within the next 15 years. The agenda applies equally to all countries and outlines 17 goals to tackle the root causes of poverty, inequality and environmental destruction. They will also seek to promote peaceful and inclusive societies.

The aid agency says it will be working to ensure commitments are kept at the country level. This includes empowering communities to hold their local leaders and governments accountable for progress.

QUOTES FROM CHRIS DERKSEN-HIEBERT, WORLD VISION DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY

"The new goals represent an unprecedented opportunity to transform the lives of the most vulnerable children in in the world's toughest places. This includes commitments to end poverty in all its forms, eliminate child hunger and preventable child deaths, and end violence against children."

"The goals are just commitments on paper, however, until work begins to achieve them. We cannot afford to waste time. Politicians and policy makers must take urgent action to ensure the most vulnerable children are reached first. They are the children in remote areas, in the worst urban slums, in the midst of intractable conflicts."

"As a champion for the health and nutrition of women and children for many years, Canada is well-positioned to leverage the SDGs and galvanize global support to end preventable deaths. The majority of children that die from preventable causes live in places that are unstable, remote or conflict-affected. Over the next ten years, child mortality will be increasingly concentrated in these fragile places, therefore so should Canada's aid efforts."

"We are looking for the next Canadian government to make a concerted effort to strengthen health systems in these fragile places so that the most vulnerable women, newborns and children can have reliable access to healthcare and good nutrition."

MEDIA RESOURCES
Video b-roll of World Vision's health projects http://bit.ly/1KltVtb
Photos of World Vision's health projects http://bit.ly/1LOg4tl

World Vision is a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity or gender. Visit our News Centre at worldvision.ca.

SOURCE World Vision Canada

Britt Hamilton, [email protected], 416-419-1321