I recently took a poll in my school concerning the MDGs. Although I have not completed the poll yet I would like to share the beginnings of my findings with you. The survey has gone through two stages so far, for the first I asked students and teachers if they have heard of the UN MDGs are. Then I asked those that did if they could identify them. For this first part I surveyed 43 students and 9 teachers. Out of the 43 students surveyed 40 had never heard of them, and out of the 9 teachers 8 hadn't heard of the MDGs. Now the teacher that had heard of them could not identify them, as well two of the students who had heard of the MDGs, only one student out of the 43 were able to outline the goals. Then I decided to take my poll a step further and explain what the MDGs are to them, then asking if they believed that they can be accomplished by 2015. Out of the 25 students I surveyed for this part 17 said no, 5 said maybe, and 3 said yes, and out of the 7 teachers I surveyed 5 said no, 1 said maybe and 1 said yes. I then asked them if they were presented with an opportunity to help achieve these goals if they would. Out of the 25 students surveyed 18 said yes while 7 said maybe, and out of the 7 teachers I surveyed 6 said yes and 1 said maybe. Like I have said I have not finished the survey, but these are the results thus far.

I go to one of the top schools in my state, and it is also ranked high nationally. I find it said that not only did so many people not know about these goals, but in addition so many believed they wouldn’t be reached by 2015. On a good note, so many people said they would be willing to help if presented with an opportunity to do so. I have learned many things from this survey, but the two biggest things are that many people have no idea about the MDGs, and that there is a lot of wasted potential. If we got individual communities around the world informed, we could in fact get more support, more help to achieve these goals. If it was possible to educate the public in easy ways about these goals like send out pamphlets or flyers or TV. ads so that they could understand the MDGs then present them with easy ways they can help, there is a bigger chance we can achieve these goals.

In my community, this is exactly what I want to do: inform, inspire, and involve people in making the MDGs happen. I am currently trying to get a group of people together to start brainstorming ways in which we can educate people about the MDGs as easily and simply as possible, and then present them with ways they can help, and hold local events. The hardest part so far has been figuring out how people can help. Many people offer to donate money, but to what organization should we give that money? etc. I hope that others will take a step forward and try to involve their communities as well. I am open for any suggestions, and I would greatly appreciate them.

I am on a mission to help involve my community, and I believe as a people we should work together to involve everyone in accomplishing these goals that will greatly change the world.

Kevin