Millennium Development Goals

The Diocese of Chicago has pledged its time, talent and resources towards realizing the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Diocesan efforts in Northern Illinois are being coordinated by the Task Force on MDGs. The contact is Newland Smith.

2010  Bishop's Challenge for Achieving Universal Primary Education

Donate a School Uniform!

Over 75 million children are barred from attending primary schools every year, two thirds of them are girls. Bishop Jeffrey Lee wants to change that and issued a challenge to the people of the Diocese of Chicago at Diocesan Convention in November:  Send kids to school! To help us achieve universal primary education, we must provide children with the mandatory uniforms that they cannot afford to attend the “free” public schools. The challenge comes just as we head into gift-giving season. 

If each of the 40,000 Episcopalians in the Diocese of Chicago would donate one school uniform ($12 each), more than $400,000 would be raised toward Goal Two of the Millennium Development Goals: achieving universal primary education. For more information on how you or your congregation can participate in the challenge contact Deacon Liz Meade.

Download or view the Bishop's Challenge Flyer.  Read Bishop Lee's letter.

2009  One to One Malaria Net Challenge

Bishop Lee has issued a challenge to all diocesan congregations on Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases. He is challenging each congregation to raise funds for the purchase of mosquito nets for distribution in sub-Sahara African countries to prevent malaria, which now accounts for 1 million deaths a year, 75 percent of whom are children under age 5. Our goal is to raise enough money to purchase 40,000 nets, one from every member of our diocese. The campaign runs during Advent under the direction of the Deacon's Council. Each congregation is asked to identify a point person to coordinate the local effort. For more information contact the chair of the Deacon's Council, Deacon Liz Meade. Read the bishop's letter on the One to One Malaria Net Challenge;  and download the One to One Malaria Net Challenge flyer.

Millennium Development Goals