On March 14, 2008, Lions International President Mahendra Amarasuriya and Soren Petersen, Head of the UN Global Compact, signed a letter of intent at UN Headquarters in New York. The signing ceremony occurred during the 30th Annual Lions Day with the UN. 

As a result, Lions will implement three UN Global Compact projects to help fulfill the UN Millennium Development Goals.

The eight UN Millennium Development Goals are:  

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieve universal primary education
• Promote gender equality and empower women 
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Develop a global partnership for development

At least three joint Lions/UN Global Compact projects - one in Africa, one in Asia, one in Latin America - will be identified. The Lions will work with UN Global Compact offices to help fulfill the UN Millennium Development Goals.

All Lions clubs are encouraged to implement projects that fulfill these humanitarian goals.

To learn more about the Lions and the UN Global Compact, click here.