McKenzie County ND

Nearly a billion people entered the 21st century unable to read a book or sign their names.

Less than one per cent of what the world spends every year on weapons was all that was needed to put every child into school by the year 2000 and yet it didn’t happen.

The lives of 1.7 million children were needlessly lost in the year 2000 because world governments failed to reduce poverty levels.

1. Consider the global priorities in spending in 1998
Global Priority………………………………………$U.S. Billions
Cosmetics in the United States………………………8
Ice cream in Europe…………………………………..11
Perfumes in Europe and the United States…………12
Pet foods in Europe and the United States………..17
Business entertainment in Japan…………………….35
Cigarettes in Europe…………………………………..50
Alcoholic drinks in Europe……………………………105
Narcotics drugs in the world………………………..400
Military spending in the world………………………780

2. And compare that to what was estimated as additional costs to achieve universal access to basic social services in all developing countries:
Global Priority……………………………………….$U.S. Billions
Basic education for all……………………………….6
Water and sanitation for all…………………………9
Reproductive health for all women…………………12
Basic health and nutrition…………………………..13

3. Number of children in the world
2.2 billion

Number in poverty
1 billion (every second child)

I invite you to go look………………

http://www.globalissues.org/TradeRelated/Facts.asp?p=1