Resource Type:

Report-Paper

Posted On: Nov 24, 2008

Posted By: Heather Hamilton

URL:

http://www.roadmapforpeace.org/

Description:

Executive Summary

The consensus is in: Americans favor a new direction in U.S. foreign policy that recognizes the intersection of national and global security and favors multilateral, cooperative approaches to global challenges.

The public recognizes that a foreign policy advancing human dignity and opportunity lays a deeper foundation for lasting security than policies based on cycles of fear and aggression. The U.S. has the resources and national will to play a uniquely constructive role on the global stage. Yet current U.S. foreign policy approaches have damaged international relationships and diminished U.S. credibility, often prioritizing short-term political objectives or access to natural resources over long-term human well-being and international cooperation. The U.S. approach has neglected constructive non-military tools of diplomacy and development, chronically under-funding critical civilian agencies while the military budget continues to grow. Efforts to reshape tools of U.S. engagement with the world have been obstructed by incoherence within government structures and lack of political momentum to address the breadth of changes needed to make way for broad shifts in policy.

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) facilitated a series of meetings with representatives from a diverse group of policy, faith-based, development, and direct service organizations and individual experts. This group reached consensus on a set of guiding principles and concrete recommendations for changes in U.S. foreign policy. These principles and recommendations comprise A New Roadmap for U.S. Engagement with the World.

The guiding principles  in the Roadmap are listed below. We encourage you to read the complete document for the group’s analysis and comprehensive recommendations for changes to the structure and strategy of U.S. foreign policy.

PRINCIPLE ONE Federal Budget Priorities A federal budget that invests more in long-term tools for diplomacy, development, and conflict prevention across U.S. government agencies is a cost-effective way to foster peace and improve human, national, and global security.

PRINCIPLE TWO Civilian Structures Expanded U.S. government capacity for civilian-led and implemented foreign assistance and crisis response offers a more strategic and cost-effective alternative to military-led involvement.

PRINCIPLE THREE Diplomacy A well-resourced and field-present diplomatic infrastructure will enhance U.S. ability to prevent and resolve conflict through dialogue, and restore U.S. credibility and trust in the world.

PRINCIPLE FOUR Multilateralism U.S. recommitment to constructive participation in international institutions and partnerships is necessary to address key global challenges that include conflict prevention, peacebuilding and peacekeeping, nonproliferation, climate change, migration, public health, and poverty.

PRINCIPLE FIVE Development and Trade U.S. development and trade policies that reflect a long-term commitment to gender-equitable human welfare, poverty alleviation, and sustainable use of natural resources will enhance aid effectiveness, contribute to national interests, and ensure a stable global environment.