RESOLVED, that this convention, recognizing that funding for nutritional, education, health care, and development programs is essential to achieve not only the Millennium Development Goals, but also for recognizing the dignity of all human beings, reaffirm the 73rd General Convention's Resolutions A001 and D033 and resolution D006 of the 74th General Convention , challenging all dioceses and congregations to contribute 0.7% of their annual budgets to fund international outreach efforts and development programs like Episcopal Relief and Development and others; and be it further

RESOLVED, that this Convention encourage all parishes to report to the next convention its own progress in achieving this funding objective; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the United States government, as one of the 191 national signatories to the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, be encouraged to abide by its commitments to fund international development aid at 0.7% of US Gross National Product (GNP), and provide appropriate leadership and resources toward international efforts to implement these and other internationally agreed development goals; and be it further

RESOLVED that the Secretary of this Convention convey the above resolution to the appropriate government officials and that individual Episcopalians contact their elected representatives, urging them to support the US government's commitment to funding international development aid at 0.7% of US GNP.

EXPLANATION: In September 2000, the United Nations, the World Bank Group, and 189 governments agreed to objective targets to reduce extreme poverty by 2015, and pledged to provide appropriate funding to numerous governmental and non governmental agencies (NGOs). The 74th General Convention of the Episcopal Church endorsed these goals, and encouraged giving 0.7% of all our budgets to Episcopal Relief and Development and similar organizations to support the work of the international community in achieving the MDGs. The Millennium Development goals address 8 major areas:

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Promote gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development