1994.10.17: October 17, 1994: Headlines: COS - Indonesia: Country Directors - Indonesia: American Enterprise Institute: Indonesia Country Director Alex Shakov writes: Foreign Aid: Why Do It and What Works?
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1994.10.17: October 17, 1994: Headlines: COS - Indonesia: Country Directors - Indonesia: American Enterprise Institute: Indonesia Country Director Alex Shakov writes: Foreign Aid: Why Do It and What Works?
Indonesia Country Director Alex Shakov writes: Foreign Aid: Why Do It and What Works?
AID knew years ago the importance of investing in people. Some of the best work it has done has been in participant training and education programs. We know clearly that if you want to reduce poverty and generate growth, investing in such things as primary education, health care, and population programs is one of the best ways to strengthen the human fabric of society.
Indonesia Country Director Alex Shakov writes: Foreign Aid: Why Do It and What Works?
Alexander Shakow, director of external affairs, World Bank
Over the past forty years, there has been faster progress on many fronts than at any other time in human history. Per capita incomes in many developing countries have doubled, infant mortality has been reduced by 50 percent, life expectancy is up from forty to sixty-three years, and world trade has dramatically expanded.
Clearly, these trends are not consistent across the board. But we should not assume that because there are problems in some parts of the world, there has not been a tremendous amount of progress in this past generation or two. Rather, we should review the accomplishments of developing countries with an eye toward learning what they tell us about development and the effective use of foreign aid. Here are six general lessons we have learned over this period.
First, a recent World Bank study concluded that the three most common sources of failure of infrastructure development projects are inadequate maintenance, inappropriate investments, and inefficient operations. In almost every case, the key problem was government involvement in running the infrastructure.
Second, for many years, those of us in the aid business thought that doing a good project would be enough. But eventually we learned that if the policy environment in which these activities were undertaken was unsound, many individual activities were wasted.
Third, we learned that the people who live in and govern these countries must have a real commitment to the aid activity or it will not be sustainable. Many of us in the aid business have shied away from such questions until recently.
Fourth, beyond the village level, it is always difficult to know how to engage people effectively at all levels of society. We still do not know all the answers, but it is absolutely crucial that we continue searching for them.
Fifth, AID knew years ago the importance of investing in people. Some of the best work it has done has been in participant training and education programs. We know clearly that if you want to reduce poverty and generate growth, investing in such things as primary education, health care, and population programs is one of the best ways to strengthen the human fabric of society.
Finally, not long ago most developing countries saw investment in environmental protection as a luxury. That has changed. Many countries now see that addressing such issues as urban air and water pollution has a direct link with the eradication of poverty.
Links to Related Topics (Tags):
Peace Corps Annual Report: 1994; Peace Corps Indonesia; Directory of Indonesia RPCVs; Messages and Announcements for Indonesia RPCVs; Country Directors - Indonesia
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Story Source: American Enterprise Institute
This story has been posted in the following forums: : Headlines; COS - Indonesia; Country Directors - Indonesia
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