Grynspan and Panel Debate What Should Replace the MDGs

Rebeca Grynspan, Associate Administrator of UNDP, jumpstarted the discussion on the future of the MDGs by reaffirming their impact and emphasizing the need to meet commitments by 2015.  She argued that the MDGs are right to place human development at the center of debate, but that thinking in terms of “success” or “failure” is too narrow a view of progress. She expressed hope that the new goals would be formed through a more transparent and participatory process, and called for an evolution of the current goals, not a substitution.

Grynspan’s remarks were followed by a panel featuring Charles Kenny of the Center for Global Development, Bill Sweeney of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, Laurie Garrett of the Council on Foreign Relations, and David Yang of USAID.  InterAction executive vice president Lindsay Coates moderated the conversation, which ranged from debates over the best health indicators to the importance of including a democracy and human rights focus in the new goals.

The panel argued for the importance of non-quantifiable goals, such as improving health systems and human rights, but also noted the utility of easily understandable metrics such as life expectancy.  One panelist cautioned of setting goals that cannot be met, although the final comment noted that the new goals should be both “aspiration and pragmatism,” to allow for measurable progress while also pushing for action on more difficult issues.

Contributed by Will Merrow