Integrating Conservation and Development
The Nature of Development launched at June Capitol Hill event
U.S. Representatives Russ Carnahan (D-MO) and Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE) joined with a former USAID Administrator, a current USAID official and NGO leaders to call for the integration of U.S. international conservation and development policies at the mid-June launch event on Capitol Hill for InterAction's new research paper, The Nature of Development.
Read the news release that includes quotes from former USAID administrator Henietta Fore, WWF senior vice president David Reed and Women Thrive Worldwide president and co-founder Ritu Sharma.
According to the paper, integrating conservation and development policy could create jobs in the United States by increasing the number of exports. It would also improve security by tempering situations in the developing world where food price hikes and other resource shortages are creating full blown conflicts.
“Balancing U.S. global development and environmental policies is a new approach that makes sense. As The Nature of Development illustrates, integration would not place an additional burden on the federal budget, and it would allow us to protect gains in poverty alleviation, food security and other development assistance programs, ensuring that they are sustained over the long-term,” said Samuel A. Worthington, InterAction president and CEO.
Integration of policies will also aid our country’s economy. Last year, 48 percent of all U.S. exports went to developing countries and estimations are that the percentage will continue to rise as their economies grow and gain strength.
Why this paper is important
InterAction brought members of the global development and environment communities together earlier this year in an ambitious effort to tackle one of the great challenges of the 21st century: how to lift three billion people from poverty—and assist billions more living on its cusp—against a backdrop of severe natural resource degradation.
More than thirty organizations (listed below) participated in a unique series of discussions on strengthening outcomes for both communities through increased integration. These discussions played a critical role in InterAction's production of a policy paper that outlines a new approach, captures successes in the field, and identifies up-to-the-minute policy challenges and opportunities.
As the paper illustrates, the benefits of an integrated approach are clear. Protecting the natural systems that support human wellbeing is cost-effective and helps to ensure the success of U.S. investments in international development. This approach will also contribute to stability and resilience in an ever-more volatile world.
The result of these discussions is a call to action for Congress, the Obama administration, the philanthropic sector, NGOs, and others to immediately align development and environment policy and practice.
Download The Nature of Development report:
Full Report
Executive Summary
Recommendations Chart
The following organizations contributed to the development of this paper, though the findings, conclusions, and recommendations are those of InterAction alone.
Academy for Educational Development
ActionAid International USA
Adventist Development and Relief Agency
African Methodist Episcopal Church Service
and Development Agency
Aga Khan Foundation USA
American Refugee Committee
Bread for the World
CARE
Conservation International
ConservationStrategy LLC
Earthday Network
EcoAgriculture Partners
Habitat for Humanity International
Institute for Sustainable Communities
InterAction
International Orthodox Christian Charities
Lutheran World Relief
Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network
NEW Course
Oxfam America
PATH
Pathfinder International
Pew Charitable Trusts
Save the Children
Self Help Africa
The Nature Conservancy
United States Agency for International Development
Washington Office on Latin America
WaterAid America
Wildlife Conservation Society
Women Thrive Worldwide
World Resources Institute
World Vision
World Wildlife Fund
