Sec. Clinton Speaks on Development
February 1, 2010
By: Paul Larson

Secretary Clinton addressed the Center for Global Development on January 6 shortly after Dr. Raj Shah was confirmed as the head of USAID.

Greater coordination constituted a major theme through the speech.  She noted the importance of intra-governmental coordination between the “three Ds” (defense, diplomacy and development) and also between government and civil society, including non-profits and private business. 

The goal of development, she explained is “to improve lives, fight poverty, expand rights and opportunities, strengthen communities, secure democratic institutions and governance; and in doing so, to advance global stability, improve our own security, and project our values and leadership in the world.”

She advocated for coordination between “development, democracy, and human rights can and must be mutually reinforcing. Democratic governance reinforces development, and development can help secure democratic gains.”

Her comments also praised the non-profit organizations for bringing “resources, deep knowledge, and commitment to humanitarian missions that complement our work in critical ways.” 

The most critical response to the speech came from William Easterly’s editorial in Foreign Policy, where he criticized the speech as contradictory, infeasible, and political.  Most reports on the speech commented on the strong connection Sec. Clinton made between development and national security.

Sources:

Center for Global Development - Media Coverage of “Development in the 21st Century”

Foreign Policy - Tower of Babble

State Department - Remarks on Development in the 21st Century

www.ccd21.org