When the world reaches 2015, the target of halving global poverty will only be partially achieved. With the Millennium Development Goals coming to an incomplete finish, politicians and people are debating, what comes next?

In September 2000, 180 leaders joined together at the world’s largest summit to set these MDGs. Among other things, extreme poverty was to be cut in half by 2015 and access to food, water, education and health care was to be exponentially improved. Unfortunately, according to the World Bank, few of the 24 goals have been reached.

Recently, around 5,000 politicians, scientists and aid workers convened at the European Union’s Development Days in Brussels. However, no concrete agreements have been decided on just yet. “It’s just a discussion forum, a kind of family gathering to mull things over,” said E.U. Development Commissioner Andris Piebalgs.

E.U. Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso is beginning to set out a post-2015 development. He claims that the progress that has been made already is undoubtedly encouraging and believe that a world without poverty can be achieved if there is an equally strong enough political will. Europe, he said, will be at the forefront of efforts to fight poverty. “For the first time ever, we have what it takes to eliminate poverty in our lifetimes, and to ensure sustainable prosperity within the boundaries of what our planet can provide,” he told delegates at the Development Days.

While it soon will be the end of one era, another one is coming to light… and quickly. Although the MDG’s will almost certainly not be achieved by 2015, perhaps this is even more motivation to succeed in whatever set of objectives follow them in the future. For now, though, it looks as if the E.U. is committed to take a staunch position on this new set of agreements.

– Sonia Aviv 

Sources: Deutsche Welle