Rwanda, for example, is on track to meet at least six of the eight millennium development goals (MDGs); it is often lauded for its progress on key health indicators.
Although it is too early for this evaluation to assess the impact of UNICEF's recovery work, given the alignment between the CCCs and the MDGs, it seems very likely that its recovery programmes can make significant contributions towards achieving the MDGs, particularly for education.
And its value extends beyond the MDGs; it can be useful for monitoring implementation in many areas like state budgets and planning, both at macro and business levels.
Because today, as the world measures its progress toward meeting the MDGs, it is increasingly clear that millions of children are being left behind.
Since the declaration of the MDGs, it has implemented policies and programs that have grown its female representation in parliament to a world-leading 64percentt ; propelled it to #7 in the world in gender equality (trailing only the Nordic countries and Nicaragua); and achieved equal attendance among girls and boys in primary and secondary school.
Looking past the current MDGs, it's important we have something to focus efforts on, and energy should be recognised in this.
In the context of the MDGs, it amounts to comparing the time of actual implementation with the time stipulated by the schedule to the 2015 target.
But as we approach 2015, the target year of the millennium development goals (MDGs), it seems the struggle is failing because we are forgetting where it must be fought.
Notably, unlike the process to establish the MDGs, it is to be intergovernmental in nature.
With just over two years before the deadline for the existing targets set in the MDGs, it is vital that renewed focus be given to ensuring that progress is achieved for all - not only those who are easiest to reach.
