Some projections have indicated that on Monday, October 31, 2011, (when many of us celebrate Halloween) the world’s 7 billionth person will be born. Although the exact date isn’t really important, we can be certain that by the end of 2011 there will be 7 billion plus people on this planet. National Geographic is devoting a year of special publications to this population number. Here are some interesting videos they have produced on the topic (unfortunately there may be a short commercial at the beginning of each):

From a meeting of world leaders in the year 2000 came the Millennium Development Goals, and the plan to eradicate poverty by the year 2015. Some progress has been made but there is still so much to be done. As a “birthday present” to the 7 billionth human being on the planet, we could make the effort to become aware of these eight goals, support the efforts of corporations and government agencies involved in promoting and advancing the goals, and look for ways that we as individuals can do something to make this world a better place. Click on the image below to visit information about the goals and additional videos to watch compiled by the UN global teaching and learning project CyberSchoolBus.