Resource Type:

Report-Paper

Posted On: Aug 06, 2008

Posted By: Hillary Eschenburg

URL:

http://www.usglobalengagement.org/portals/16/ftp/Platform_Booklet_final.pdf

Description:

Organization: The Center for U.S. Global Engagement

This "policy framework for the presidential candidates" calls on the next administration to build a strong smart power toolkit in order to face national security and global challenges. The report provides a range of options for action that emcompass a number of issue areas:

Develop and articulate a clear vision for the effective use of smart power:

• Develop a National Security Strategy that integrates strong diplomatic, economic, and foreign assistance policies with military and intelligence capabilities.
• Institute a quadrennial foreign assistance strategy review that articulates the goals and objectives of U.S. assistance and provides the basis for “guidance” to agencies so budgets fit with overall objectives.
• Articulate to the American people and the world through foreign policy statements, speeches, and
  policy pronouncements the importance of leading the world through smart power and the key
  elements of the strategy.

Match investments to needs and capabilities:

• Increase the number of diplomats and foreign assistance experts with relevant technical and language-skills.
• Establish a “civilian reserve corps” composed of individuals with skills to provide quick response for reconstruction efforts in failing and post-conflict states.
• Double financial resources for foreign assistance to address enormous gaps in funding for latent and post-conflict states.
• Increase resources aimed at specific critical challenges, including HIV/AIDS, univeresal education, clean water and basic sanitation, hunger and poverty, deaths from preventable diseases, and the impact of climate change on developing countries.

Modernize and strengthen our strategic framework and supporting institutions for foreign policy

• Elevate development to equal standing alongside defense and diplomacy and improve coherence, coordination, and effectiveness of foreign assistance by uniting programs under a common structure.
• Work with Congress to update the legislation that provides the foundation for U.S. assistance policy and programs overseas – the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 – to create the policies, programs, institutions and results criteria that better meet today’s national security and development needs.
• Engage with Congress to achieve greater flexibility in foreign assistance accounts and contingency capabilities that allow rapid response to emerging crises and opportunities.
• Restructure the State Department so that regional bureaus can more effectively coordinate with regional military commanders on the ground.
• Institute an annual budget submission to Congress that covers the entire toolkit of America’s national security and international engagement – defense, diplomacy and foreign assistance – a truly integrated National Security Budget.
• Reform agricultural subsidies that distort or reduce economic opportunities for low-income farmers in poor countries.
• Align our trade agenda to reflect coherence with development needs.
• Establish strong and independent monitoring and evaluation systems that assess the connection between funding and achievement of key goals.

Restore America’s image through cooperation and innovation

• Mobilize the compassion of Americans for 21st century volunteerism:
  • Expand the recruitment of Peace Corps volunteers;
  • Support the myriad global service opportunities provided by America’s vibrant faith based and nongovernmental organizations, universities, and the private sector; and
  • Emphasize volunteer initiatives that take American entrepreneurial and management skills overseas.
• Strengthen cultural and educational exchange programs.
• Establish a “Pay for Progress” program to provide bonuses or other financial rewards to U.S. institutions for advances in vaccine development (HIV/AIDS, malaria, TB, diabetes).

Note: See pages 6 and 7