Guest Post by Sue Preziotti from the 2012 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) Annual Meeting
During remarks at the CGI annual meeting this week in New York, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said that the Obama Administration’s development program, which she announced at CGI 2009, has become an essential pillar of U.S. national security alongside defense and diplomacy. She said development is "vital to our national interests and to our efforts to build a world that is more stable, more prosperous and more free.”
Following an introduction by her husband and event chair former President Bill Clinton, Secretary Clinton began her speech, "Designing Diplomacy for the 21st Century," on the subject of change. In addition to global democracy movements, she cited new technologies, demographic shifts and emerging powers, all of which are transforming our world, bringing exciting possibilities as well as great challenges.
“In the face of all this change, those who care about having an impact on the world have to do two important things: we must think and act innovatively and be willing to change ourselves to keep pace with the change around us; and at the same time, we must stay true to our values.”
She said the U.S. is doing just that in designing its development program with an eye towards helping to "drive global political change in the right direction.” The program has three overarching strategies:
1) Continue to move from aid to investment – Many developing countries are improving, and needs for basic necessities aren’t as stark as they once were. So, the U.S. can be a catalyst for self-sustaining growth and economic progress, moving away from direct provision of things like water and food. The Secretary gave examples of successes in countries such as Haiti, where hundreds of jobs have been created through multi-sector collaboration including private sector investment.
2) Emphasize country ‘ownership’ – The U.S. aims for nations to be able to create, implement and eventually pay for their own development plans. Botswana now manages and pays for their national HIV treatment program. And through the President’s Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. is helping facilitate the establishment of a medical school to train the next generation of that country’s healthcare workers. In India when the National AIDS Control Program launched, 50% of the budget came from outside donors, and now the Indian government pays for 80%.
3) “Put ourselves out of business” – Secretary Clinton said that ultimately, development must lead to nations working on their own. “I look forward to the day when our development assistance will no longer be needed” and people have a chance to build better lives for themselves. She said the U.S. is working with partner countries to put special emphasis on self-sufficiency.
She went on to further contextualize U.S. global development efforts around foreign policy and the future of democracy:
“For the U.S., as we pursue our development agenda around the world, working to improve and save lives and to spur growth, we’re working to advance freedom and dignity. We’re standing up for democracies that unlock people’s potential and standing against extremists who exploit people’s frustrations.” Secretary Clinton emphasized the importance of the world standing together on this point and did spend a few minutes discussing the recent attack on the U.S. embassy in Libya and the condolences and support expressed from around the world.
She said that throughout the week, in which the U.N. General Assembly is held in New York, she has been in discussions with many nations about how to work together to build lasting partnerships.
Just this morning the U.N. Secretary General told CNN he'd like to see the U.S. use its influence to try and positively impact world affairs. How can we do so in the most effective, least costly and sustainable manner? In the volatile, untested waters of our changing world, there doesn’t seem to be an easily-defined path.
By putting a greater emphasis on development in U.S. foreign policy and engaging countries that need and desire help so they can become self-sufficient, we can hopefully inspire trust, cooperation and peace, as we demonstrate the best of American values to the world. As Secretary Clinton put it, “All of the work I’ve described briefly today reflects America’s enduring commitment to help more people in more places to live up to their God-given potential, to chart their own destinies and realize the full measure of their human dignity.”
Secretary Clinton’s full remarks can be viewed at:
http://www.clintonglobalinitiative.org/ourmeetings/2012/webcast/archives/player.asp?id=63
# # #
