Beginnings - Please read this post first :) - United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)

I begin with greetings in the six official languages of the United Nations (English) ~ Salutations (French) ~ تحياتي (Arabic) ~ 问候 (Chinese) ~  приветствия (Russian) ~ saludos (Spanish) plus the universal language of a smile :)   Hi - my name is Sue and I love sharing the hope of children's books with all audiences.  I am not sure if you have connected with the "Imagine a..." series of books by Sarah L. Thomson (Author), Rob Gonsalves (Illustrator) and the Simon and Schuster Publication Team but the books provide an incredible and thought provoking journey for us all.  The books "Imagine a Day", "Imagine a Night" & "Imagine a Place" are worthy of a read whether there are children in your life right now, or not.  These books have universal messages for us all.  In the spring of 2013, after being very unwell for some time, I wrote to the author, illustrator and publication team for the "Imagine a..." series to thank them for their part in creating and sharing the beautifully imaginative and inspiring books.  I also wanted to plant a hopeful seed with them to take their series even further with an additional publication that could help to inform, influence and inspire many. 

To me, the United Nations represents hope and possibility for our world.  Part of how we are trying to achieve health and peace on a global level is through the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).  These goals relate to everyone and focus on increasing the basic standards of living, and advancing the means to a productive life.  There are eight specific MDGs that set targets to ensure that every individual has the right to dignity, freedom and equality:   

1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
2. Achieve universal primary education
3. Attain gender equality and empower women
4. Reduce child mortality rate
5. Improve maternal health
6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
7. Ensure environmental sustainability
8. Develop a global partnership for development

I think there is an enormous opportunity to help enhance awareness of the MDGs by creating a collaborative follow up "Imagine A..." book entitled  "Imagine a World"  based on the eight UN Millennium Development Goals.  Thanks again  -  I look forward to further dialogue about these hopeful seeds...