Security, Stability, Self-Sufficiency:
International Assistance & The Case For U.S. Global Engagement
September 12, 2003

The day after the second anniversary of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks on the United States, a diverse group met in Chicago to discuss U.S. foreign assistance and its impact on their own security and stability.

InterAction President Mary E. McClymont and George Ingram of the U.S. Global Leadership Campaign, co-sponsors of the event, opened this first of a series of nationwide meetings designed to engage the U.S. public in a dialogue about U.S. foreign assistance programs.

Remarking that a "country's values can be measured by how it spends its money," Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., questioned whether America's budget truly reflected the values of the American people. Calling U.S. military spending "a double-edged sword," he said it was important to ensure that U.S. military strength does not overshadow its important work to help people around the globe.

William Lane of Caterpillar Inc. drew the link between foreign assistance and security. Foreign assistance Lane compared to a fire marshal who can "prevent bad things from happening and help avoid crises" especially if aid is administered correctly and given the proper resources. For this reason, Caterpillar, along with other businesses, has taken a great interest in the foreign aid budget as an integral tool of American foreign policy affecting the ability of American companies to operate around the world.

Picking up on Durbin and Lane's theme, Zainab Salbi spoke of the organization she founded, Women for Women International, which provides support for women who are survivors of war or civil strife. She stressed that an important piece of global security is the ability to provide hope for struggling people. Sharing her insights from a recent trip to Iraq and the challenges facing Iraqis, she noted that without the basic necessities there is diminishing hope of security for anyone.

Uganda's ambassador to the United States, Edith Ssempala provided an inspirational account of the development challenges facing Uganda and their highly lauded successes in meeting them.

Stating, "poverty breeds instability, causes disharmony and robs people of [their] dignity," Ssempala stressed the potential for the U.S. to use open trade to help bring prosperity around the world.

Ssempala also pointed out the importance of programs like the Millennium Challenge Account that emphasize good policies in recipient countries and she noted that aid motivated by charity or sympathy cannot succeed in the long term if there is no political will.

The Chicago Council on Foreign Relations was also a sponsor of the meeting, which was part of InterAction's multi-year campaign, the Global Partnership for Effective Assistance.

The Global Partnership for Effective Assistance is a campaign to save lives and build self-sufficiency by increasing development and humanitarian assistance, improving aid effectiveness, and building international partnerships. In the broadest sense, this campaign aims to help reinvigorate America's role in partnering to build safer, more stable and democratic societies. To that end, we hope to influence the policy debate and raise public awareness about the importance of effective assistance.

Biographies of Speakers
Guide to International Relief and Development Resources in Chicago