MDGs Vs SDGs: 17 Differences - Public Health Notes

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What are Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)?

Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) were the eight international development goals for the year 2015.
The Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, following the adoption of the United Nations Millennium Declaration. All 191 United Nations member states at that time, and at least 22 international organizations, committed to helping achieve the Millennium Development Goals by 2015.
MDGs set concrete targets and indicators for poverty reduction in order to achieve the rights set forth in the Declaration.
MDGs emphasized three areas: human capital, infrastructure and human rights (social, economic and political), with the intent of increasing living standards.

There were altogether 8 goals with 21 targets and a series of measurable health indicators and economic indicators for each target.

What are Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)?

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are the United Nations global development goals.
These are bold universal agreements to end poverty in all its dimensions and craft an equal, just and secure world.
SDG has 17 goals and 169 targets and it covers multiple aspects of growth and development.
It is also known as a successor of MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)
It was adopted by 193 countries of United Nations General Assembly on 25^th September 2015
SDG is officially known as “Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”
It is built on the principle agreed upon under resolution, “The Future We Want”.

For more details on SDG and its positive scope, please refer:

https://publichealthnotes.com/need-know-sustainable-development-goals-sdg/

https://publichealthnotes.com/18-challenges-mdg-16-positive-scopes-sdg/

17 differences between MDGs and SDGs are as follows:

Differences based on	Millennium Development Goals	Sustainable Development Goals
Successor or predecessor	MDGs are predecessor of SDGs.	SDGs are successor to the MDGs.
Number of Goals	MDGs consists of 8 goals	SDGs consists of 17 goals
Number of targets	MDG had 21 targets	SDG has 169 targets
Number of indicators	MDG had 60 indicators	SDG has 232 indicators
Formulation of the goals	It was produced by a small group of technical experts	It was produced by UN Open Working Group (OWG) made up of 30 members representing 70 countries. SDG drafting process also included intense consultation process among: – 193 UN member states – Civil society organizations – Academicians – Scientists – Private sectors and – Other stakeholders all around the world
Zero goals	– MDG targets for 2015 were set to get us “halfway” to the goal of ending hunger and poverty. – It had narrow focus on poverty reduction.	– The SDGs are designed to finish the job to get to a statistical “zero” on hunger, poverty, preventable child deaths and other targets. – It has wide focus on poverty reduction and tries to embed environmental, economic and social aspects together.
Applicability	– MDGs mainly targeted developing/least developed or poor countries. – It was designed in the context of “rich donors aiding poor recipients.”	– SDGs targets and applies uniformly to all the countries; rich, middle income and poor. – It appeals all countries to take action.
Pillars for sustainable end of hunger	MDGs ignored the three crucial pillars for sustainable end of hunger i.e. empowering women, mobilizing everyone, and collaborating with local government	SDGs have addressed these three pillars more strongly i.e. SDG have ensured stronger gender roles, people’s participation and government participation
Focused areas	It mainly focused on social dimensions and better health	It focuses on social inclusion, economic growth, better health and environmental protection. SDGs also strengthen equity, human rights and non-discrimination
Development agendas	MDG could not focus holistically on development. It also missed to address root causes of poverty.	SDG focuses holistically on development.
Scope of work	MDG only emphasized on the prevalent challenges	SDG emphasizes on present and upcoming challenges
Distinguishing Hunger and Poverty.	Hunger and poverty are combined together in MDG	SDGs treat the issue of poverty separately from hunger and, food and nutrition security
Cost	MDGs were less costly compared to SDG	SDGs are much more costly compared to MDGs
Source of funding	MDGs were largely envisioned to be funded by aid flows, which did not materialize	SDGs put sustainable, inclusive economic development at the core of the strategy
Peace Building	MDGs did not include peace building in their core agenda and goals	SDGs include peace building to the success of ending poverty and hunger.
Data Revolution	MDGs did not prioritize monitoring, evaluation and accountability.	SDGs target by 2020 to “increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data disaggregated by income, gender, age, race, ethnicity, migratory status, disability, geographic location and other characteristics relevant in national contexts.”
Quality Education	The MDGs focused on quantity (e.g.: high enrollment rates) rather than quality. This might have declined quality of education in many societies.	SDGs focus on the quality of education and the role of education in achieving a more humane world: “education for sustainable development and sustainable lifestyles, human rights, gender equality, promotion of a culture of peace and non-violence, global citizenship, and appreciation of cultural diversity and of culture’s contribution to sustainable development.”