The US has spent a lot of money on foreign aid programs, yet high levels of global poverty persist.What will make the Commission’s recommendations more effective?
Over the last 50 years, we have seen tremendous improvements in income, health and education in poor countries:the international community, with the US as the single largest donor, has eradicated smallpox from the world; average life expectancy worldwide has increased from 44 to 59 years; millions more children are in school; incomes in poor countries have tripled.US development assistance, diplomacy, and technical training have helped nations in Southeast Asia substantially reduce poverty; have helped replace military governments with a democratic revolution across Latin America; and have seen the beginnings of positive change in Africa, from South Africa to Senegal.These are big returns on our investment. The Commission report builds on these successes and seeks to promote increased effectiveness by applying many of the lessons we have learned along the way: that collaboration with other nations brings additional legitimacy and resources to US operations; that it is more difficult an
