Millennium Foundation
Encyclopedia
The Millennium Foundation for Innovative Finance for Health is an independent, non-profit Swiss organization, established in November 2008 in order to create new ways to finance health systems in low- and middle-income countries. Based in Geneva
, Switzerland, the Millennium Foundation aims to ensure that international commitments on improving health care are met through the development of innovative financing
projects. Its first such project – called MassiveGood
– was launched on 4 March, and will give travelers the possibility to add a $2, £2 or €2 micro-contribution to the purchase of a travel reservation, with all proceeds going to the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria
and tuberculosis
.
(MDGs). Three of these goals are health related – to treat and fight life-threatening diseases, including HIV/AIDS, malaria
and tuberculosis
; to reduce childhood mortality; and to improve maternal health
. Despite repeated commitments to the three health-related MDGs and increased funding available for development
, HIV/AIDS, malaria
and tuberculosis
still have appalling human and economic consequences in developing countries. Official Development Assistance has been increasing in the past few years but cannot keep up with the damage done by the economic crisis on low- and middle-income countries. In order to bridge this financing gap, the international community has looked into new funding mechanisms. The Taskforce on Innovative International Funding for Health Systems issued in June 2009 a report acknowledging the potential of innovative sources of funding: Innovative Financing projects that have sprouted up in the past decade include Product Red
, the International Finance Facility
for Immunization,the Global Fund, the GAVI
and UNITAID
.UNITAID
is funded by a small tax on airlines tickets levied in 12 countries and budgetary contributions from 17 countries. Since 2006, UNITAID
has committed over US$ 730 million to support 16 projects in 93 countries.
, the Millennium Foundation’s first innovative finance project, was unveiled at the United Nations General Assembly
on 23 September 2009 during a meeting of the Task Force for Innovative Finance for Health, spearheaded by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown
and World Bank President Robert Zoellick
. According to the Millennium Foundation, MassiveGood
will let travelers make an optional $2, £2 or €2 “micro-contribution” towards the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis
and malaria
every time they purchase a travel product. All funds will go to UNITAID
, which has a wide range of partners in developing countries including the Clinton Foundation
, UNICEF, the World Health Organization
, UNAIDS, the Global Fund, the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership
, Stop TB Partnership
and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics
. MassiveGood
was launched on 4 March 2010 in the USA, and will be followed later on in the year by the UK, Germany, Austria
, Switzerland and Spain. MassiveGood
will be available at both travel agencies and online ticketing websites.
, Brazil, Chile
, the Republic of Korea and a representative of the African Union
; representatives of NGOs working on malaria
, tuberculosis
or HIV/AIDS and of communities living with diseases; and representatives of the Gates Foundation and of the private sector. The UN World Health Organization
serves on the board as an observer.
The Board of the Millennium Foundation is chaired by Dr. Philippe Douste-Blazy
, who currently serves as Special Adviser on Innovative Financing for Development to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, and also acts as Chairman of the Board of UNITAID
. Mr. Henk Mulder is the Managing Director and leads the strategic vision for the Foundation.
Geneva
Geneva In the national languages of Switzerland the city is known as Genf , Ginevra and Genevra is the second-most-populous city in Switzerland and is the most populous city of Romandie, the French-speaking part of Switzerland...
, Switzerland, the Millennium Foundation aims to ensure that international commitments on improving health care are met through the development of innovative financing
Innovative financing
Innovative financing refers to a range of non-traditional mechanisms to raise additional funds for development aid through "innovative" projects such as micro-contributions, taxes, public-private partnerships and market-based financial transactions....
projects. Its first such project – called MassiveGood
MassiveGood
MassiveGood is the Millennium Foundation’s fundraising project which was launched in the United States on March 4, 2010. MassiveGood will also be available later in 2010 in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain...
– was launched on 4 March, and will give travelers the possibility to add a $2, £2 or €2 micro-contribution to the purchase of a travel reservation, with all proceeds going to the fight against HIV/AIDS, malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
.
Mission and Activities
In 2000 the United Nations agreed to achieve eight international development goals by the year 2015, called the Millennium Development GoalsMillennium Development Goals
The Millennium Development Goals are eight international development goals that all 193 United Nations member states and at least 23 international organizations have agreed to achieve by the year 2015...
(MDGs). Three of these goals are health related – to treat and fight life-threatening diseases, including HIV/AIDS, malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
; to reduce childhood mortality; and to improve maternal health
Maternal health
Maternal health refers to the health of women during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. It encompasses the health care dimensions of family planning, preconception, prenatal, and postnatal care in order to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality.Preconception care can include...
. Despite repeated commitments to the three health-related MDGs and increased funding available for development
Research and development
The phrase research and development , according to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development, refers to "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of...
, HIV/AIDS, malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
and tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
still have appalling human and economic consequences in developing countries. Official Development Assistance has been increasing in the past few years but cannot keep up with the damage done by the economic crisis on low- and middle-income countries. In order to bridge this financing gap, the international community has looked into new funding mechanisms. The Taskforce on Innovative International Funding for Health Systems issued in June 2009 a report acknowledging the potential of innovative sources of funding: Innovative Financing projects that have sprouted up in the past decade include Product Red
Product Red
Product Red, styled as RED, is a brand licensed to partner companies such as Nike, American Express , Apple Inc., Starbucks, Converse, Bugaboo, Penguin Classics , Gap, Emporio Armani, Hallmark and Dell...
, the International Finance Facility
International Finance Facility
The International Finance Facility is a proposal by HM Treasury in conjunction with the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom. The IFF is designed to frontload aid to help meet the Millennium Development Goals...
for Immunization,the Global Fund, the GAVI
Gavi
Gavi is a tiny island in the Tyrrhenian Sea off the westcoast of Italy. With a length of about 700 metres, it is thesmallest of the Pontine Islands and is located 120 metres off thenorth shore of Ponza.The island is quite rugged and uninhabited by humans...
and UNITAID
Unitaid
UNITAID is an international facility for the purchase of drugs against HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. It was founded in September 2006 on the initiative of Brazil and France, and is to a great part financed by so called innovative development financing mechanisms, namely a solidarity levy on...
.UNITAID
Unitaid
UNITAID is an international facility for the purchase of drugs against HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. It was founded in September 2006 on the initiative of Brazil and France, and is to a great part financed by so called innovative development financing mechanisms, namely a solidarity levy on...
is funded by a small tax on airlines tickets levied in 12 countries and budgetary contributions from 17 countries. Since 2006, UNITAID
Unitaid
UNITAID is an international facility for the purchase of drugs against HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. It was founded in September 2006 on the initiative of Brazil and France, and is to a great part financed by so called innovative development financing mechanisms, namely a solidarity levy on...
has committed over US$ 730 million to support 16 projects in 93 countries.
MassiveGood
MassiveGoodMassiveGood
MassiveGood is the Millennium Foundation’s fundraising project which was launched in the United States on March 4, 2010. MassiveGood will also be available later in 2010 in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain...
, the Millennium Foundation’s first innovative finance project, was unveiled at the United Nations General Assembly
United Nations General Assembly
For two articles dealing with membership in the General Assembly, see:* General Assembly members* General Assembly observersThe United Nations General Assembly is one of the five principal organs of the United Nations and the only one in which all member nations have equal representation...
on 23 September 2009 during a meeting of the Task Force for Innovative Finance for Health, spearheaded by UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown
Gordon Brown
James Gordon Brown is a British Labour Party politician who was the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Leader of the Labour Party from 2007 until 2010. He previously served as Chancellor of the Exchequer in the Labour Government from 1997 to 2007...
and World Bank President Robert Zoellick
Robert Zoellick
Robert Bruce Zoellick is the eleventh president of the World Bank, a position he has held since July 1, 2007. He was previously a managing director of Goldman Sachs, United States Deputy Secretary of State and U.S. Trade Representative, from February 7, 2001 until February 22, 2005.President...
. According to the Millennium Foundation, MassiveGood
MassiveGood
MassiveGood is the Millennium Foundation’s fundraising project which was launched in the United States on March 4, 2010. MassiveGood will also be available later in 2010 in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain...
will let travelers make an optional $2, £2 or €2 “micro-contribution” towards the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
and malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
every time they purchase a travel product. All funds will go to UNITAID
Unitaid
UNITAID is an international facility for the purchase of drugs against HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. It was founded in September 2006 on the initiative of Brazil and France, and is to a great part financed by so called innovative development financing mechanisms, namely a solidarity levy on...
, which has a wide range of partners in developing countries including the Clinton Foundation
Clinton Foundation
The William J. Clinton Foundation is a foundation established by former President of the United States Bill Clinton with the stated mission to "strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence." The Foundation focuses on four critical areas:...
, UNICEF, the World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
, UNAIDS, the Global Fund, the Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership
Roll Back Malaria (RBM) Partnership
The Roll Back Malaria Partnership is the global framework for coordinated action against malaria. It forges consensus among key actors in malaria control, harmonises action and mobilises resources to fight malaria in endemic countries....
, Stop TB Partnership
Stop TB Partnership
The Stop TB Partnership was established in 2000 to eliminate tuberculosis as a public health problem. Its 1000 partner organizations include international, nongovernmental and governmental organizations and patient groups...
and the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics
Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics
FIND 501 is a non-profit foundation that develops and implements new diagnostic tests for infectious and neglected diseases in developing countries...
. MassiveGood
MassiveGood
MassiveGood is the Millennium Foundation’s fundraising project which was launched in the United States on March 4, 2010. MassiveGood will also be available later in 2010 in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain...
was launched on 4 March 2010 in the USA, and will be followed later on in the year by the UK, Germany, Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
, Switzerland and Spain. MassiveGood
MassiveGood
MassiveGood is the Millennium Foundation’s fundraising project which was launched in the United States on March 4, 2010. MassiveGood will also be available later in 2010 in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain...
will be available at both travel agencies and online ticketing websites.
Structure
The Millennium Foundation is a public-private initiative governed by a Board composed of representatives of participating Governments, such as the United Kingdom, France, NorwayNorway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, Brazil, Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
, the Republic of Korea and a representative of the African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
; representatives of NGOs working on malaria
Malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease of humans and other animals caused by eukaryotic protists of the genus Plasmodium. The disease results from the multiplication of Plasmodium parasites within red blood cells, causing symptoms that typically include fever and headache, in severe cases...
, tuberculosis
Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, MTB, or TB is a common, and in many cases lethal, infectious disease caused by various strains of mycobacteria, usually Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Tuberculosis usually attacks the lungs but can also affect other parts of the body...
or HIV/AIDS and of communities living with diseases; and representatives of the Gates Foundation and of the private sector. The UN World Health Organization
World Health Organization
The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health. Established on 7 April 1948, with headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland, the agency inherited the mandate and resources of its predecessor, the Health...
serves on the board as an observer.
The Board of the Millennium Foundation is chaired by Dr. Philippe Douste-Blazy
Philippe Douste-Blazy
Philippe Douste-Blazy is a French centre-right politician. He served as Minister for Health , Minister of Culture and Foreign Minister in the cabinet of Dominique de Villepin .Douste-Blazy is also a cardiologist and Christian Democrat politician from Lourdes...
, who currently serves as Special Adviser on Innovative Financing for Development to the United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon, and also acts as Chairman of the Board of UNITAID
Unitaid
UNITAID is an international facility for the purchase of drugs against HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. It was founded in September 2006 on the initiative of Brazil and France, and is to a great part financed by so called innovative development financing mechanisms, namely a solidarity levy on...
. Mr. Henk Mulder is the Managing Director and leads the strategic vision for the Foundation.
See also
- UNITAIDUnitaidUNITAID is an international facility for the purchase of drugs against HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Tuberculosis. It was founded in September 2006 on the initiative of Brazil and France, and is to a great part financed by so called innovative development financing mechanisms, namely a solidarity levy on...
- MASSIVEGOODMassiveGoodMassiveGood is the Millennium Foundation’s fundraising project which was launched in the United States on March 4, 2010. MassiveGood will also be available later in 2010 in the UK, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Spain...
- WHOWhoWho may refer to:* Who , an English-language pronoun* who , a Unix command* Who?, one of the Five Ws in journalism- Art and entertainment :* Who? , a 1958 novel by Algis Budrys...
- UNICEF
- Clinton FoundationClinton FoundationThe William J. Clinton Foundation is a foundation established by former President of the United States Bill Clinton with the stated mission to "strengthen the capacity of people throughout the world to meet the challenges of global interdependence." The Foundation focuses on four critical areas:...
- Stop TB PartnershipStop TB PartnershipThe Stop TB Partnership was established in 2000 to eliminate tuberculosis as a public health problem. Its 1000 partner organizations include international, nongovernmental and governmental organizations and patient groups...
- UNAIDS
- Global Fund
- Roll Back Malaria (RBM) PartnershipRoll Back Malaria (RBM) PartnershipThe Roll Back Malaria Partnership is the global framework for coordinated action against malaria. It forges consensus among key actors in malaria control, harmonises action and mobilises resources to fight malaria in endemic countries....
- The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
- Foundation for Innovative New DiagnosticsFoundation for Innovative New DiagnosticsFIND 501 is a non-profit foundation that develops and implements new diagnostic tests for infectious and neglected diseases in developing countries...