Next Week’s Meeting at UN Key Moment for Children, says World Vision

NEW YORK, NY (February 10, 2015) — Ending extreme poverty is only going to be possible if governments gathered for next week’s meeting focus efforts on reaching all children, especially those living in war, fragility and instability, World Vision said Monday.

“The next round of post-2015 negotiations takes place next week (February 17-20), and government representatives have a chance to set the tone for a defining year for children,” said James Odong, World Vision’s external relations director in Africa.

“Children have the most to gain or lose in this process that will determine the global vision to eradicate extreme poverty by 2030,” said Odong. “We know what they need, what they want, and how to address the big challenges so let’s build the vision around this.  Too many children living in conflict, post-conflict and fragile places haven’t benefited from the global progress made in the past 15 years. We need to see a stronger emphasis on those children.”

World Vision’s report Stop at Nothing: Post-2015 Goals for Children lays out the organization’s case for why children need to be the focus of post-2015 discussions. World Vision believes that to build a fairer future for every child, the post-2015 development agenda must aim to reach children living in war, fragility and instability, ensure that success is measured through the impact it has on them, and to transform the systems and social practices that keep them poor.

“The measure of success must be that the new agreement must reach all children, including those who have been left out by the Millennium Development Goals,” said Odong.

“When the girl from the poorest family in the most crowded slum or remotest village can grow to adulthood in good health and safety, and realize the dream her secondary education can provide, only then we will know we are achieving sustainable development. And World Vision believes everyone involved in post-2015 should stop at nothing to see that happen.”

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Notes to editors:

• For moving photos and stories of children living on the margins of society, follow celebrated photojournalist Nick Danziger’s work as he travels back to the eight countries he visited in 2005 and 2010 to document those left behind by the MDGs, as well as explore progress made.
• Read what World Vision has to say on the post-2015 agenda by consulting the Stop at nothing: Post-2015 goals for children report.

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/ or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.

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