Contributor(s): Gunilla Carlsson | Although the overall trend in reaching the Millennium Development Goal (MDG) is positive we still face major challenges in many places of the world. Millions of people suffer from hunger and lack of access to safe drinking water. Africa is particularly hard-hit. Governments that pursue democratic development hand-in-hand with human rights stand a better chance of achieving the Millennium Development Goals. How can we ensure that the developed world delivers on their promises? How can we further promote democracy development and human rights in developing countries? Gunilla Carlsson serves as the Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation. She has been a member of the Swedish Parliament since 2002 and is deputy chairman of the Moderate Party. Carlsson served as MEP from 1995 and 2002.