8 Millennium Development Goals Kaleen Trout: Solomon Islands Evonne Leatherbury: Sri Lanka Kaleen Trout: Solomon Islands Evonne Leatherbury: Sri Lanka

8 Millennium Development Goals

Kaleen Trout: Solomon Islands

Evonne Leatherbury: Sri Lanka

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger

The World Bank has defined extreme poverty as an individual who earns $1.00 (US Dollars) per day. Extreme poverty is a direct correlation to hunger. To eat is to have money. Because there is such extreme poverty, the amount of hunger over the world is increased. When your mom told you to finish everything on your plate because someone else in the world would be glad to eat it… she was not lying.

Solomon Islands vs. Sri Lanka

In the Solomon Islands the GDP (Gross Domestic Production) per capita is currently at $1,769 US dollars. According to the definition put forth by the World Bank, The Solomon Islands have reached the goal of eradicating extreme poverty. Although they are not in extreme poverty, they are no where near being self sufficient and for citizens to have stable incomes and meals.

As of 2013, the GDP per capita in Sri Lanka is $1884.23 in US dollars. Looking at the statics of the GDP over the last 10 years, annually the GDP is rising. Sri Lanka has reached their goal of exterminating extreme poverty.

"Statistics." UNICEF. 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 14 May 2014. <http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/solomonislands_statistics.html>."Statistics." UNICEF. 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 14 May 2014. <http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sri_lanka_statistics.html>.

2. Achieve universal primary education

Primary education is defined as learning to read, write, be able to solve basic math and have general knowledge. The goal is for every child to have an opportunity to receive this knowledge through public establishments or if available private institutions. This goal will allow more people to be educated and to be qualified for job opportunities in the future.

Adjusted net enrolment rate in primary education, 2000 and 2011 (Percentage). (source: The Millennium Development Goals Report 2013)

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/mdg/the-millennium-development-goals-report-2013.html


The primary school participation net enrollment ratio for females is 87.3% and for males, 62.5%. The Solomon has a weak public education system and it is not promoted as a positive life institution. However, the government has been making strides to increase the public education system and making sure children can receive primary education. Although they are making strides, I do not believe they will reach this goal by 2015. I do hope to see them reach this goal sometime in the near future.

The primary school participation net enrollment ratio for females is 93.3% and males, 92.7%. I think education is promoted in Sri Lanka looking at the enrollment rate. They have a literacy rate 92% higher than what would be expected of a normal third world country. I believe they have already met the goal and hopefully by 2015 their enrollment rates will increase even more.


3. Promote gender equality and empower women

Gender equality is defined as both male and females will be treated the same and one will not be discriminated against. Because the world has such a high standing of men, the goal also includes empowering woman to take larger stands weather it be in a certain profession, society, politics etc.

Solomon islands vs. Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka fell 16 spots due to both economic participation opportunity and political empowerment. Seeing as Sri Lanka is decreasing, chances are by 2015 the gender gap will continue to widen which means they will not meet their goal.

The Solomon Islands have been making advances in closing the gap of gender inequality. The RAMSI (Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands) is an effort to lower gender discrimination. RAMSI's Women in Government program is aimed at supporting the efforts of Solomon Islands women to increase their participation in government. RAMSI also employs a Gender Adviser who provides advice across RAMSI programs and counterpart government agencies. I don’t think they will reach this goal by 2015, definitely within the next 10 years.

"Gender." RAMSI. Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon Islands. Web. 17 May 2014. <http://www.ramsi.org/our-work/gender.html>.

4. Reduce child mortality

Child mortality is also a huge factor with poverty. The goal is to decrease by two-thirds, between 1990 and 2015, the under five years old mortality rate, from 93 children of every 1,000 dying to 31 of every 1,000.

Under- five mortality rate, 1990 and 2011 (Deaths per 1,000 live births). Source: The Millennium Development Goals Report 2013

http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/librarypage/mdg/the-millennium-development-goals-report-2013.html


The infant mortality rate (under 1 year of age) in the Solomon Islands was 26% as of 2012. To reach the goal the infant mortality would have to drop below 17%. Although the Solomon Islands have been making improvements in public health and instituting better hospitals, I do not believe they will reach the goal by 2015.

The infant mortality rate for Sri Lanka as of 2012 is 8%. Seeing as it is decreasing I am not sure if they will reach their goal by 2015, but they will probably reach the goal in the next 10 years.


5. Improve maternal health

The United Nations Development Programme has stated “The targets for improving maternal health include reducing by three-fourths the maternal mortality ratio and achieve universal access to reproductive health. Poverty and lack of education perpetuate high adolescent birth rates. Inadequate funding for family planning is a major failure in fulfilling commitments to improving women’s reproductive health.”

"6 Improve Maternal Health." Millennium Development Goal 5. United Nations Development Program, 2014. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/mdgoverview/mdg_goals/mdg5/>.


As of 2012 the maternal mortality ratio was 35 out of 100,000 births. According to the goal definition Sri Lanka will reach their goal by 2015.

The maternal mortality ratio in the Solomon Islands from 2012 was 1 in every 240 births. The Solomon Islands like previously stated have been making adjustments in health and hospitals especially to help women and children,. Because of this, the maternal mortality rate has been reducing annually, but I do not believe they will grasp their goal by 2015.

Statistics." UNICEF. 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 14 May 2014. <http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/solomonislands_statistics.html>."Statistics." UNICEF. 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 14 May 2014. <http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sri_lanka_statistics.html>.

6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases

HIV (Human Immunodeficiency virus) is a colossal problem especially in third world countries. HIV causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Malaria and other diseases are contracted because of poor public health, lack of immunizations, absence of sanitation and many other factors. This goal will support countries becoming healthier which will also help infant mortality and maternal mortality.


Over a time period from 2008-2012 it was recorded that 40.4% of children had malaria, and the treatment rate was 19%. The Solomon Islands say they have a minor percentage of HIV/AIDS, but no certain percentages have been recorded in the last 10 years. I do not reason they will reach the goal by 2015 particularly if no statistics have been taken recently to view their progress or digress.

In Sri Lanka the malaria treatment for children is 3.4%. People of all ages living with HIV IS 3,000. In ratio to their population they are considerably healthy. I do not know if they will reach the goal by 2015, but I do believe they will reach their goal within the next 5 years.

Statistics." UNICEF. 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 14 May 2014. <http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/solomonislands_statistics.html>."Statistics." UNICEF. 31 Dec. 2013. Web. 14 May 2014. <http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/sri_lanka_statistics.html>.

7. Ensure environmental sustainability

The concern of environmental safety has become quite prominent in the last 15 years. The United Nations Development Program has stated “Global greenhouse gas emissions resume their upward path, confirming the need for bold action. Forests are a safety net for the poor, but they continue to disappear at an alarming rate.”

"6 Ensure Environmental Sustainability." Millennium Development Goal 7. United Nations Development Program, 2014. Web. 16 May 2014. <http://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/mdgoverview/mdg_goals/mdg7/>.


The population of Solomon Islands is increasing at approximately 4.4% annually. This is putting pressure on natural resources and land for food and food production, building materials, and other life support systems. Land is cleared for timber, forestry, oil palm plantations, farming, urban and rural developments and infrastructure. Marine habitats are damaged from destructive fishing practices such as dynamite and poisons, pollution and harvesting of rock and coral. Solomon Islanders are moving to a cash economy for school fees, petrol and kerosene and for processed foods. This is resulting in a loss of traditional methods of natural resource management and use. Because of this downward spiral they will not reach this goal by 2015.

Sri Lanka is working hard on putting out disaster management center to ensure other people are safe. They are starting funds for dry zones because the forests are losing trees. They are creating waste managements and encouraging people to recycle. Right now things are decreasing but if they can continue to raise money and awareness to help their environment then maybe sometime in the future they will meet their goal. Sri Lanka is not going to make it in 2015."Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme." PEIN Country Profile

and Virtual Environment Library. PEIN, 2012. Web. 16 May 2014. <http://www.sprep.org/Solomon-Islands/pein-solomon-islands>.http://www.unep.org/gpwm/InformationPlatform/

CountryNeedsAssessmentAnalysis/SriLanka/tabid/106538/Default.aspxhttp://www.lk.undp.org/content/srilanka/en/home/mdgoverview/overview/mdg7/

8. A global partnership for development

When we talk about financial aid the first thing that usually comes to mind is schooling. However, just like schooling financial aid is on a global scale. Financial aid relief allows more powerful and self sustainable countries to lend money to poorer countries in efforts of relief


As of 2011, The Solomon Islands makes roughly around 3 million in exports. Their major exports include logs, minerals, palm oil, cocoa, and coconut oil. There is a very close relationship between the Solomon Islands and New Zealand where much trading and aid comes from. Radio is the main form of communication in the Islands. Less than 11% of Solomon Islanders have access to internet. Because of their lack of technology, reaching out to other countries can be quite difficult. They do have close ties with Australia and New Zealand, but they need more ties around the world. I do not believe they will reach the goal by 2015.

Sri Lanka’s goods that are being traded are decreasing. In 1992 it was 91.7% and went down to 68.7%. There is a rapid increase in internet and telecommunication services since 1999. The percentage of households with personal computers has more than doubled from 3.8% to 8.2% from 2004 to 2007. I would say that they will not be meeting their goal because their trade is decreasing but it’s a good sign that their technology is increasing and that may meet the goal for 2015.

"Sri Lanka." UNDP in. United Nations Development Program, 2012. Web. 15 May 2014. <http://www.lk.undp.org/content/srilanka/en/>."Solomon Islands." Countries. New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 9 Dec. 2013. Web. 17 May 2014. <http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Countries/Pacific/Solomon-Islands.php>.

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8 Millennium Development Goals Kaleen Trout: Solomon Islands Evonne Leatherbury: Sri Lanka Kaleen Trout: Solomon Islands Evonne Leatherbury: Sri Lanka