Millennium Development Goals (MDG)
You have been researching and commenting on the role of computers and the internet on social issues that are important to us here in the developed areas of the world - countries with cities, internet access, stable governments, courts of law, regulations, good healthcare and education systems. However, there are large populations throughout the world that do not share these benefits.
The United Nations has defined U.N. Millennium Development Goals to bring attention to the problems that face a significant proportion of the world's population, and direct resources and innovation to resolving them. The UN renewed commitments to achieving the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 and to set out concrete plans and practical steps for action.
1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development
You can help! For the MidTerm project, learn about and report on how computers, the internet and technology are being used to change the lives of these people. Then you will suggest ideas for resolving these problems.
1. Pick one of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG).
2. Find three (3) resources that describe the work of groups trying to solve one of the Millennium Goals using technology. How will technology help meet the Millennium Development Goal that you investigated? What worked? Why was it successful? Be sure to include specific examples. Look through the MDG success stories to get some ideas. Only one of your resources can come directly from this site.
3. Many other organizations are encouraging innovative technology solutions such as Grand Challenges for Engineering, The Tech Awards, Engineers Without Borders
4. Post links to your selections, along with a brief description of the impact this work has in solving the MDG, how technology is being used in this effort and a discussion question to the Millennium Development Goals (MDG) discussion topic for your selected MDG goal.
5. Participate in the discussion topics for each of the Millennium Development Goals. Ask questions. Provide additional sources of information. Learn more about each of the goals, why they are important and what is being done about each MDG that showcases the use of technology.
6. There are specific tasks and measures outlined for each goal. For the MDG you selected,
7. * ASK questions. What is the problem and why is this problem important to you? Who is being helped? What resources are available?
8. * IMAGINE - How could technology be used to help solve the problems? Are there technologies or innovations that would help resolve the problems if they were available? Make some suggestions - use your imagination. Perhaps you will come up with some technology that will make a difference.
9. Post your suggestions to the MDG Solutions and Technology.
10. Add links to your three research resources, along with a brief description of the impact this work has in solving the MDG and your ideas to solve the problem with technology to the CIS2 MDC page in the section for your selected goal.
11. For the Millennium Development Goal that you researched, what questions do you have about the benefits to mankind that technology has brought to the world? What problems might be caused by technology? Ask 2-3 questions and describe why you think we should be wondering about the answers to these questions now? Submit this as your I wonder... assignment.