LONGMEADOW, Massachusetts — The William and Flora Hewlett Foundation (WFHF) is committed to improving global conditions in the fields of education and climate change. Because education and sustainability are critical topics in the discussions of a Post-2015 Agenda, the foundation has taken on a large role in making certain goals a reality.
The Millennium Development Goals expire in 2015. While this time frame puts pressure on the world to meet the delineated targets in the very near future, it also provides the opportunity to begin outlining new goals for eradicating global poverty. These goals are coming together under the title of the “Post-2015 Agenda.”
In order to plan an effective agenda, leaders of the project are calling for a “data revolution” to analyze the current global situation. Leaders want to make the post-2015 goals as helpful and operative as possible. Therefore, leaders of the project need to collect and process a great deal of data to determine the areas that need the most attention and financial assistance.
The hope with the installation of the data revolution is that government leaders and policy makers will understand countries’ specific needs more clearly. For example, if a country severely lacks funds for education, the data revolution should reveal this and show government leaders exactly how to reorient a national budget.
WFHF has made that data revolution possible. By funding meetings and providing resources for analyzers, the foundation, along with other organizations, has facilitated an improved method for collecting and processing data relating to global poverty.
Meetings held in January were very successful. Statistical experts were able to formulate a new data system for the Post-2015 Agenda. As a result, sustainability and education were two topics that emerged as needing additional funds after the Millennium Development Goals’ time frame ends.
Fortunately, WFHF already gives significant attention to education and sustainability around the world. The foundation knows how to distribute funds effectively and improve circumstances in these fields. Consequently, its involvement with the Post-2015 Agenda will not stop with the data revolution.
Sustainability is a huge focus for the Post-2015 Agenda because it was left out of the Millennium Development Goals almost completely. Improving sustainability can effect climate change positively, something that WFHF has been trying to communicate to the world for many years. If climate change slows or comes to a stop, farming becomes easier for citizens of developing countries where the economy and well-being of locals are dependent on the agricultural industry.
Through grants, WFHF is giving support to sustainable living projects within the Post-2015 Agenda. It is also providing assistance to education development with grants and project planning assistance.
UNICEF, UNESCO and WFHF have teamed up to outline specific goals for the future of global education. Education is important to the abolition of global poverty because it gives individuals the opportunity to flourish economically. People everywhere recognize the power of education.
When citizens of developing countries were asked about the changes that they would like to see beyond 2015, the majority of people said that they would like increased funding for education.
WFHF is instrumental in the success of the Post-2015 Agenda. Though specific dollar amounts given to the project through grants are not public, the foundation’s positive effect on the agenda and its achievability is apparent.
– Emily Walthouse
Sources: World Humanitarian Summit, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation 2, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation 3, William and Flora Hewlett Foundation 4, UNICEF, Post-2015 Data Test
Photo: IISD