I recently watched a thought provoking video showing the strong correlation between countries with high GDP and low child mortality rates. This would suggest that one method to assist developing countries is improving infant health.
Solving the aid dilemma is not easy. There are many options. Money to fund research into disease prevention, loans to small businesses, creation of new schools, diplomacy to influence government policy. But which is the best option?
The best option is to align with what is best for the people. It may not be purely economic or exactly what the people ask for. At the heart of it, the aim is to eliminate poverty, satisfying their physiological needs, so that people can provide for themselves and that is good enough.
Nations that have managed to lift themselves out of poverty have done so mostly with trade, not aid - with giving people jobs and a ladder, not handouts and an elevator. There is no proof that aid drives economic growth, however health-related aid and aid in the aftermath of a disaster do saves lives. It is most effective to help people help themselves through education, learning to make a living and save, by helping people find their own ways to support their families while having the essential services to provide for the basic needs.
Solving the aid dilemma is not easy. There are many options. Money to fund research into disease prevention, loans to small businesses, creation of new schools, diplomacy to influence government policy. But which is the best option?
The best option is to align with what is best for the people. It may not be purely economic or exactly what the people ask for. At the heart of it, the aim is to eliminate poverty, satisfying their physiological needs, so that people can provide for themselves and that is good enough.
Nations that have managed to lift themselves out of poverty have done so mostly with trade, not aid - with giving people jobs and a ladder, not handouts and an elevator. There is no proof that aid drives economic growth, however health-related aid and aid in the aftermath of a disaster do saves lives. It is most effective to help people help themselves through education, learning to make a living and save, by helping people find their own ways to support their families while having the essential services to provide for the basic needs.
No comments:
Post a Comment