World Vision responds to G20 Communique

    
    - Commends creation of G20 Working Group on Development
    - Applauds the cancellation of Haiti's IFI debt
    - Welcomes reaffirmation of MDG commitments
    - Concerned development agenda is taking back seat to heavy focus on
      economic growth
    
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<p>"In the G20 countries alone, 2.5 million children are dying each year before their fifth birthdays. That's equivalent to the entire population of <span class="xn-location">Toronto</span>, and almost 30 percent of the 8.8 million babies and children who die globally." - Dave Toycen, CEO, World Vision <span class="xn-location">Canada</span></p>
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<p>"The development and prosperity our leaders are striving for can't be sustained if our children are dying and a third of those who survive can't realize their full potential as a result of childhood malnutrition." - Sue Mbaya, Advocacy Director, World Vision <span class="xn-location">Africa</span></p>
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<p><span class="xn-location">TORONTO</span>, <span class="xn-chron">June 27</span> /CNW/ - The success of the G20 can't be measured by only economic indicators, which are meaningless unless human lives are saved and vulnerable families' well-being improved.</p>
<p>These countries are now the 21st century's economic powerhouses, with 87 percent of the world's GDP, yet many are still failing to address dire living conditions and lack of access to health services in their communities. While G20 leaders have been focused on finding concrete solutions to economic challenges, almost 14,000 children in their own countries will have died, mostly from preventable causes.</p>
<p>The right to be considered a global leader brings with it the responsibility to address the world's most pressing problems, which of course means a focus on economic development but also major social crises like millions of needless child deaths.</p>
<p>High burdens of disease and illness block economic growth. An estimated US <span class="xn-money">$15.5 billion</span> in potential productivity is lost globally each year when mothers and babies die. For example, across developing countries, malnutrition reduces national GDP by 3 to 6 percent.</p>
<p>By contrast, each dollar invested in global health would create a <span class="xn-money">$3</span> gain through extended healthy lifespan and faster economic growth.</p>
<p>It is critical that the G20 make child and maternal health, the furthest off-track of the 2015 Millennium Development Goals, the priority of its working group on development.</p>
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<p>The new G20 Working Group on Development must:</p>
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    - be made permanent to ensure accountability, and elevate the focus on
      human development alongside economic development;
    - keep each G20 member accountable for rapid progress toward meeting
      development goals-particularly on child and maternal health and food
      security;
    - equip G20 nations to provide leadership within their own regions.
    

For further information: For interviews with World Vision experts, contact: Sharon Marshall, cell: 416-616-9147, [email protected]; Tiffany Baggetta, cell: 416-305-9612, [email protected]