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A
children's peace march in Baghdad, Iraq on January 1, 2003.
Two consecutive wars and twelve years of devastating economic
sanctions leading into the gulf war of 2003 have created
dire living conditions for most Iraqis. Photo by Ray Buchanan
for Stop Hunger Now. |
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Why is it important to invest in promoting good governance
and democracy?
- Political freedom and the right to participate in political
decisions through voting, freedom of speech and the press, associations,
and an independent judiciary are fundamental rights of all people.
- Progress toward democracy engenders confidence in people
to press their governments for more equitable social and economic
policies.
How is the U.S. Government promoting good governance
and democracy?
- America provides longer-term assistance to newly emerging
democracies that may lack electoral capacity to properly organize
political parties, to support an equal application of the law, or
to educate their citizens to fully participate in governance.
Progress has been made.
- 33 military regimes have been replaced by civilian governments
since 1980.
- The number of democratically elected governments has
increased from 56 to 121 in less than 15 years.
- The number of grassroots and private organizations
has increased, with more than 37,000 organizations working throughout
the world.
But challenges remain.
- 38 percent of the world’s population lives in nations
that do not have a free press.
- Nearly 3.6 million people have been killed in civil
wars since 1990.
Articles
on Peace and Democracy:
Success Stories:
World Leaders Speak Out:
USAID Administrator Andrew Natsios - Cuban Transition Conference,
January 16, 2004
“At the heart of all humanitarian relief strategies
are two essential imperatives--as I said earlier, saving lives and reducing
suffering. This should not be done primarily through the importing of humanitarian
relief commodities, such as food and medicine, but through the strengthening
of traditional coping mechanisms in the population. While donated commodities
can supplement this effort, it is immediate rehabilitation programs that
yield the most productive results and encourage self-sufficiency.”
Read the speech
Secretary of State Colin Powell - Jan 1, 2004
"Freedom, prosperity and peace are not separate principles, or separable
policy goals. Each reinforces the other, so serving any one requires an integrated
policy that serves all three. The challenges are many, for the world is full
of trouble. But it is also full of opportunities, and we are resolved to seize
every one of them. If some of us drop a few pounds in the process, that's O.K.,
too."
Representative Henry J Hyde (Chairman of House International Relations
Committee) - Dec 10, 2003
"In the past year, the world has witnessed free and fair elections
in countries that have never known freedom and political dissidents winning
international recognition for their work to bring greater pluralism to nations
that routinely suppress the will of their people. However, success is tempered
by the sad truth that freedom remains under assault in far too many places
in the world. At the dawn of the 21st century, in an increasing dangerous
world, there can be no doubt that the future of democracy is linked inexorably
with efforts of nations to advance the interests of human dignity and human
rights about the globe."
Read the press release
His Holiness the Dalai Lama - September 11, 2003
"If we allow our human intelligence to be
guided and controlled by negative emotions like hatred,
the consequences are disastrous.... We need to appreciate
that genuine peace comes about through mutual understanding,
respect and trust.”
Senator Joe Biden - May 2, 2003
"Only by winning the peace in Iraq, by getting it right, will we enhance
our ability to promote and support democratic reforms throughout the region.
That, in turn, will enhance our own security. For when there are no democratic
outlets, dissent moves underground. It turns to resentment. And then it's ventilated
by extremism and even terrorism."
Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee – January
22, 2003
“If the 20th century saw the global growth of democracy, the new century
should see its further expansion and enrichment. Especially, we should develop
democracy as an effective instrument for fulfilling people’s aspirations
and resolving conflicts and contentious issues. History has proved time and again
that free and democratic societies are the ones that are creative, self-corrective
and self-regenerative.”
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