At this defining moment in history, we must be ambitious, our action must be as urgent as the need, and on the same scale" - Kofi Annan

Millennium Development Goals. What do those words bring to mind? Ending poverty? Achieving a sustainable future? If you are like many Change Agents, which we know you are, that pretty much sums it up. Five years on from the noble pledges made at the UN Millennium Assembly to cut extreme poverty by half by 2015, it is time to take stock of how much remains to be done.

Relatively speaking - which is the way one should speak in 2005, it being the Centenary of Einstein's famous theory - promises to be a pivotal year for the world, presenting a rare window of opportunity for Africa. This September, world leaders will meet in New York to review the progress made on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs hopes, among others, to improve the right to health, access to life-extending and -saving services and treatments which remain a dream for mltitudes, especially those in Africa. For its part, IFMSA chose to focus this year on the MDGs, in particular those related to health.

As future physicians, our role in this global struggle has become more pronounced; not only from the urgency of defeating HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis, but also because the MDGs present us with a unique opportunity to inject new vigour and a renewed commitment to saving lives and helping the world move a step closer to achieving the ambitious but realistic targets of the MDGs. It also provides us a leverage to ensure the long-term sustainability of the MDGs is met. The issue at hand is quite daunting, complex and challenging but we have to commit ourselves because it is an agenda for you and us. It will make or break the world we live in.

This edition, the 12th issue, is a celebration of the indomitable spirit of mankind. It is the fruit of tons of sweat, time and energy the Editorial Team has pulled together, despite the rigours of medical education, over the last couple of months to produce what you now have before you. It is packed with intellectually stimulating articles on the broad issue of the Millennium Development Goals for Health, interviews with 'champions' pioneering the cycle of change with respect to the MDGs, a survey about the views and perceptions of medical students on the MDGs, a column on WHO's work on the MDGs and resources on the MDGs. The Review of "Investing in Development: A Practical Plan to achieve the MDGs" is something to behold in this issue. We also have our President - Andreas Rudkjøbing - to talk about the work of IFMSA in achieving the MDGs.

Some months back, Salil Shetty, Director of the UN Millennium Campaign said in an interview while commenting on the challenges of the MDGs, "The Scope is huge, the time is short. Everyday lost is serious for people dying. The challenge is gathering groups together and beginning to work practically". The good news is that the world has, at its disposal, the technologies, finances, and more importantly, the will and kindness to make things happen. We mean NOW! As we close, We hope this publication will challenge us, inspire us and provoke us to action - and We look forward to hearing how your activities and projects are making a positive difference in your community, country and the world at large.

Ayodeji Adewunmi (Nigeria), Editor-in-chief, MSI 12th issue on MDGs, ayodeji_adewunmi@yahoo.com
Akihito Watabe (Japan), Publicatins Director 2004-2005, Publications@ifmsa.org
Fatma M. Odaymat (Lebanon), EMR Coordinator 2004-2005, rcemr@ifmsa.org