The Power of Numbers: A critical review of MDG targets for human development and human rights

Fukuda-Parr and Yamin explore the effects of global goal setting on international development agendas and thinking. They present a condensed synthesis of the “Power of Numbers” project, an independent research initiative, led by them, and involving 17 scholars. The project analyzed the influence of MDGs and associated indicators on policy priorities and development narratives, their diverse incentives, and both intended and unintended consequences. The authors recommend that both positive and negative lessons from experience be kept in mind in the design of the post-2015 agendas.