The G8

  • The Group of Eight is a forum that brings together senior officials and heads of state and government from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. (The European Union sometimes acts as a ninth member.)
  • They come together to discuss certain global issues, lately the G8 summits have been focusing on the Millenium Development Goals (MDGs) which must be reached by 2015
  • What are the MDGs?
    • Goal 1: Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
    • Goal 2: Achieve universal primary education
    • Goal 3: Promote gender equality and empower women
    • Goal 4: Reduce child mortality
    • Goal 5: Improve maternal health
    • Goal 6: Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
    • Goal 7: Ensure environmental sustainability
    • Goal 8: Develop a Global Partnership for Development
  • Members of the G8 take turns in hosting an annual summit, where the host nation chooses the focus of the meetings.
  • The G8 themes being discussed in Canada this year are: Climate change, maternal health, nuclear proliferation and food security.

The G20

  • The Group of Twenty is a similar forum, but with an economically wider variety of member nations; it also includes officials from global economic institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.
  • It is different from the G8 as it focuses on addressing economic policies and global financial stability.
  • Members of the G20: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, the European Union, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Why do these groups exist?

  • These summits are a chance for leaders to work together on global issues, and by cooperating with each other here they get to forge stronger relationships, which can be vital in more difficult times. The nations make promises between each other and the rest of the world.

Do they keep their promises?

  • The promises aren’t binding, although the G8 have started working on an accountability mechanism which will be discussed further this year. This had to happen as a result of public pressure, after all the leaders are essentially working for the rest of the world.
  • It is vital that we all remain involved in these summits to ensure the leaders do what is best for the entire world, rather than for their own economic gain, and that they stick to what they have promised for us.