The United Nations has a target of 2015 for a group of target areas in developing countries that they call the Millenium Development Goals. These Goals, listed below, are selectable links to where you can learn more:
The 8 Millennium development goals are:
Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger
Achieve Universal Primary Education
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
Along with detailed information on each of these goals and the targeted areas, a person can click on over 130 countries to see how these goals are/are not being met in that particular country.
The United Methodist Global Health Initiative is one area of our United Methodist connection that will help implement these goals. Please check these out at http://www.mdgmonitor.org/index.cfm