The latest disaster in Nepal is a reminder that development support and assistance are the duties of all nations and citizens. The last 15 years were marked by enormous efforts from the international community toward achieving the Millennium Development Goals. Among the various successes, the United Nations already reported that overall poverty has declined, more children than ever attend school, child death has been reduced, access to drinking water has been expanded and investments to fight Malaria, AIDS and Tuberculosis have saved millions.

Moving forward, the international community is now working on what will characterise the next 15 years, the post development goals period.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon recently released his own personal report "The road to dignity by 2030" presenting his vision on development for the period 2015-2030.

The achievement of the vision of a life of dignity for all is set to become the overall objective. During the Sustainable Development Summit in September 2015, all the actors will decide how to finish the job and set new goals. Most likely, the list will include the ending of poverty once and for all, end hunger, achieve food security, promote medical access and education and environment sustainability. Regardless of what has been achieved so far, the challenge this time is to ensure that no one is left behind. The campaigning branch of the UN, Action2015 is already actively promoting the hashtag #LeaveNoOneBehind on most social networks.

Apart from national states, the increasing role of NGO's is set to be crucial to achieve this vision of life of dignity. The biggest objectives often require the participation of people at all level, and no organisation can be too small to help. The United Nations are keen in supporting local groups and charities willing to work toward the vision. In the spotlight this week, the newly formed Humanitarian Solidarity Alfityanu Luxembourg has shown that the efforts of a few individuals can have tremendous impact and contribute to the bigger project. This small organisation was set few months ago by a handful of european citizens with the objective to promote development in West Africa. In a very short period of time, Alfityanu was able to create a partnership with the NGO AAII (African American Islamic Institute), the UNFPA (United Nations Population Fund) and the socio-medical center Shifa al-Asqam in the city of Kaolack, Senegal.

The association is now actively supporting this local medical center by providing, on a monthly basis, financial, nutritional and medical support, successfully improving the life of local people daily.

Examples such as this one show that if poverty is to be ended once and for all, leaving no one behind, the participation of everyone, at all levels, is required and necessary. No project can be too small or too big in achieving a life of dignity for all.
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