Global Poverty Reduction to 2015 and Beyond
| Author | Meera Tiwari,Andy Sumner |
| Date | 01 May 2011 |
| Published date | 01 May 2011 |
| DOI | http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1758-5899.2011.00077.x |
Global Poverty Reduction to 2015
and Beyond
Andy Sumner
Institute of Development Studies at the University of Sussex
Meera Tiwari
University of East London
Abstract
The purpose of this article is to assess the policy impact of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and to begin
to ask questions about any post-2015 global framework. The article argues that the MDGs have had substantial but
uneven policy impacts. Moreover, in the post-2015 landscape there will be three core issues that are essential to
debate in terms of the contents of a new framework: the deficiencies of the MDGs (notably on ownership,
accountability and reaching the poor ⁄poorest); the changing context (of new vulnerabilities and shifting pattern of
global poverty); and the new, ‘post-economic crisis’ global politics (the role of the G20, emerging powers and new
donors). We outline three general approaches to thinking about a post-2015 framework, not to outline in detail all
possible eventualities, but merely to illustrate various potential directions of travel and to trigger further debate.
Policy Implications
•Global policy makers need to be prepared to discuss what, if anything, will replace the MDGs, as this debate will
evolve rapidly over the next 18–24 months.
•The MDGs have had substantial but uneven policy impacts across: their adoption (in policy); their adaptation (to
locally defined goals, indicators and targets); the allocation (of resources); and their acceleration of progress in actual
poverty reduction outcomes. There have also been some aberrations (and unintended distortions).
•There are three core post-2015 issues that are essential to debate in terms of the contents of a new framework: the
deficiencies of the MDGs (notably on ownership, accountability and reaching the poor ⁄poorest); the changing con-
text (of new vulnerabilities and shifting patterns of global poverty); and the new, post-economic crisis global politics
(the role of the G20, emerging powers and new donors).
•A new global ‘2015 Commission’ is proposed to facilitate a broader, more inclusive global debate somewhat similar
to the World Development Report 2000 ⁄1 process. Such a commission would need to be led by a figure with
global and political credibility on poverty reduction.
Debate about the impact of the Millennium Develop-
ment Goals (MDGs) and what might follow them in 2015
has been publically muted to date. And yet much is
going on behind the scenes. Moss (2010) in Global Policy
asked what might replace the MDGs and offered some
guiding principles. This article seeks to build on this.
We seek to outline a set of key questions and in doing
so assess and reflect on the policy impacts of the MDGs
to date in order to begin to ask questions about the nat-
ure of a post-2015 global framework. The article argues
that the MDGs have had substantial but uneven impacts
across countries, and that in the post-2015 landscape
both Southern and Northern ownership is essential for
the creation of any new deal. We propose three stylised
options for a post-2015 framework to trigger further
debate, and propose the establishment of a new Global
2015 Commission to facilitate a truly global, participatory
discussion drawing on the model of the 2000 ⁄1 World
Development Report process and updated for global dia-
logue opportunities offered by new technologies.
It is worth noting at the outset that such debate may
evolve rapidly in the next 18 months, because there is
Global Policy Volume 2 . Issue 2 . May 2011
ª2011 London School of Economics and Political Science and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Global Policy (2011) 2:2 doi: 10.1111/j.1758-5899.2011.00077.x
Research Article
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