John J. Danilovich: Why Fight Global Poverty

Oct 24th, 2008 11:18 AM UTC
By Chris Scott

Ambassador John J. Danilovich, writing for the Huffington Post, yesterday offered up an eloquent and concise argument for why foreign aid is more important now than ever. He writes that the United States taking a leading role in fighting extreme poverty is the smart and right thing to do, and also warns that “poverty, when left unchecked, leads to despair and resentment that may become a breeding ground for terrorists.”

Excerpts below, but the whole piece is definitely worth a read

[F]ighting poverty abroad helps us here at home in concrete ways. Here’s how:

Economic empowerment makes good neighbors. People liberated from poverty’s grip have greater opportunities to participate in and contribute to the political and economic life of their countries. Democracy and economic development go hand-in-hand, and serve as a foundation to achieve stability and reduce poverty. Stable, democratic nations are more likely to work with us to counter threats to global security.

Raising the quality of life in one corner of the world raises it throughout. We live on an increasingly interconnected planet. By strengthening the capabilities of developing nations to support the health and education of their citizens, and to protect the environment and natural resources of their communities, the fight against poverty ensures a better quality of life for everyone.

Open markets offer expanded options. By stimulating the economies of developing countries, opportunities emerge for greater private investment, which is the true engine of economic growth and essential for assisting people escape poverty. Entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes — including U.S. businesses — have the potential to invest in new markets, to increase trade, and to expand commercial relationships.

-Chris Scott

TAGS: ONE, Policy News