To make certain that the economic concerns of the developing world are not forgotten amidst discussions at the 2009 G-20 Summit in Pittsburgh, the InterAction alliance and several partner organizations will be on-the-ground and plan to be a strong, vocal presence.
The 2009 Pittsburgh Summit, known also as the G-20, will continue its focus on the global economic crisis when it reconvenes for its second meeting of the year September 24 and 25. Recent financial indicators have led many economists and U.S. policymakers, including President Obama, to become increasingly optimistic about the global financial outlook. Concern remains high, however, around the issue of sustaining a recovery. In an attempt to quell the global angst, the Obama administration will focus on six topics of discussion at the Summit: the economic crisis, establishing a framework for recovery, stimulating demand, financing climate change, trade, and jobs and workforce. To make certain that the economic concerns of the developing world are not forgotten amidst discussions about how to stabilize the global economy, the InterAction alliance and several partner organizations will be on-the-ground and plan to be a strong, vocal presence.
To its credit, the Obama administration has developed an increasingly strong consultative relationship with U.S.-based international NGOs. Because of this burgeoning relationship, many leaders in the alliance were taken aback by NGOs not being given direct access to the Summit. According to InterAction President and CEO Samuel A. Worthington, "The administration has been quite transparent about their interest in, and need for, our community’s guidance as they attempt to craft international development strategies, so it is ironic that no provisions were made to specifically accredit NGOs in Pittsburgh." Staffs from organizations within the InterAction NGO community that are planning to attend the September Summit have applied for media accreditation, with no guarantees of being admitted.
Despite remaining questions about NGO access and concerns about the slow economic recovery of the G-20 nations monopolizing the spotlight, groups like Oxfam America and Bread for the World Institute will be looking for world leaders to make actual progress on past commitments and prepare for those coming in the not-too-distant future. Asma Lateef, Director of Bread for the World Institute, believes "The benchmark for any meaningful global economic recovery must be measured against whether poor people around the world are able to lift themselves out of poverty. We hope the G-20 Summit builds on the commitments made by leaders from the G8 nations this summer in L’Aguila, Italy to invest in improving food security and raising agricultural productivity." Raymond C. Offenheiser, President, Oxfam America says, "In the coming months, all eyes will be on the United States to demonstrate a strong contribution to action on climate change, starting with the UN Summit on Climate Change in New York on September 22, and at the G-20 in Pittsburgh."
Many have asked why President Obama chose Pittsburgh for the Summit, but Brother’s Brother Foundation (an InterAction member organization headquartered in Pittsburgh) President Luke Hingson says, "Pittsburgh has been a source of humanitarianism for over 200 years and was founded by people with ancestral ties from all over the world. It is a place that has seen extreme poverty at times in its history and has advanced from simply sustaining itself to transforming into a place of economic opportunity for all sectors of business and industry." Worthington went on to add, "Perhaps the spirit of Pittsburgh will encourage leaders to move beyond the Summit rhetoric and commit to specific and accountable actions that will support developing countries’ efforts to establish their own economic independence so that they will be able to work toward sustaining themselves financially, without the need for continuous donor country support."