In 2000, the United Nations laid out 8 Millenium Development Goals, designed to monitor and promote global development. These goals are: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger Achieve universal primary eduction Promote gender equality and empower women Reduce child mortality Improve maternal health Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases Ensure environmental sustainability Develop a global partnership for development Recently, the World Bank released its Global Monitoring Report for 2009 , which suggests we have a long way to go before any of the Millenium Development Goals are met. From CM Law Library Blog