You might assume from the title that this is going to be about mathematical theory or science fiction or indeed sewing. But the “golden thread” in question is our Prime Minister’s description of the link between peace, good governance and open societies and economies as part of new thinking on poverty reduction through wealth creation.
The golden thread is a strong focus of the High Level Panel Report submitted to the UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon last week.
The Report, catchily entitled “A New Global Partnership: Eradicate Poverty and Transform Economies Through Sustainable Development”, is a road map for tackling the world’s biggest social and economic problems by 2030.
The High Level Panel – co-chaired by Prime Minister David Cameron with the Indonesian President and Liberian President, with Gunilla Carlsson as one of the key participants– was asked to set out proposals for a new set of UN objectives for 2015-2030 to replace the existing Millennium Development Goals.
The Report says we can and must eliminate extreme poverty by 2030. Five key themes were identified:
- Leave No One Behind: The MDGs aimed to halve extreme poverty (defined as people earning less than $1.25 a day). The High Level Panel report proposes ending poverty by 2030. It also proposes eliminating preventable infant deaths and reducing maternal mortality even further.
- Put Sustainable Development at the Core: For decades, the environmental and development agendas have been separate. The report brings them together. This means tackling climate change, and making patterns of consumption and production more sustainable.
- Transform economies for jobs and inclusive growth: Growth is the only long term solution to end poverty, meaning a much greater focus on promoting jobs through business and entrepreneurship, infrastructure, education and skills, and trade.
- Build peace and effective, open and accountable institutions for all: Peace and good governance are not optional extras. Responsive and legitimate institutions should encourage the rule of law, property rights, freedom of speech and the media, open political choice and access to justice.
- Forge a new Global Partnership. Poverty eradication is not just about national governments. Businesses, community groups, donors, local governments and others all need to work together to see the eradication of extreme poverty.
The British government hopes the Report will be embraced by the UN family and serve as the basis for agreeing a new development agenda that will succeed the current Millennium Development Goals when they expire in 2015.