Eight ways to fight poverty

If you could write a wish list to end poverty, what would you ask for? Clean drinking water for everyone? Doctors, nurses and well-equipped hospitals where they're needed? How about teachers, schools and free education?

In 2000, 189 countries came together at the United Nations in New York and wrote such a list. It contained all of the above, and other crucial requirements, which if met would improve the lives billions.

A total of eight targets were agreed - the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Set with a deadline of 2015, these eight goals were designed to drive a stake through the heart of global poverty.

September 2008 marked the mid-way point to the 2015 deadline, and world leaders met again in New York to discuss progress on the MDGs.

You can join us in making sure that their half-time team talk is one that the world will never forget.

Dangerously slow progress

Eight years ago, the UN made history. 189 countries was the highest number ever to have gathered at a single summit. And every one of these countries pledged to meet the MDGs because they knew that poverty isn't inevitable. The world stood together and said 'we can do this.'

Where commitments to meet the MDGs have been met, millions of people are living with new hope. Millions more children are in school. Millions more people are receiving treatment for HIV and AIDS. Millions of mosquito nets have been distributed, causing malaria infection rates to plummet.

But the pace of progress remains dangerously slow, and progress is too uneven. While some countries move ahead, others stumble and even go backwards.

Inequality remains a growing threat, meaning that even in those countries heading in the right direction, not everyone is guaranteed to see the benefits of change.

If things continue as they are, none of the MDGs will be fully met by the 2015.

Ending poverty, In My Name

It's obvious that it's time for change. The MDGs were designed to be achievable. The MDGs were born because, with the right political will, poverty can be overcome.

When the UN gathered in New York in September 2008, a coalition between Oxfam, the Global Call to Action Against Poverty (GCAP) and Save the Children joined forces with artists, musicians and other public figures to launch In My Name.

In My Name is about inspiring people to speak out and make sure governments of the world keep their promises.

By signing up to In My Name, you can help to push the MDGs back on track by letting world leaders know what you'll be doing - and what you expect them to do.