Global Development Community Must Continue ‘To Stand Up For The Priorities And Values We Believe In’

Devex: Opinion: Seeing past the shock of the Trump victory
Raj Kumar, founding president and editor-in-chief of Devex

“…[P]resident-elect Trump could offer some new, more comprehensive vision on global development beyond infrequent expressions of skepticism of foreign aid in campaign speeches. But more likely is that existing conservative policy prescriptions and worldview — unlocking more private sector investment, emphasizing economic freedom and fighting corruption, incentive-based approaches such as the Millennium Challenge Corp., and disease-specific global health programs — will become the organizing model for an area that is unlikely to take high priority in the White House. … The climate agenda is one area that stands to take it on the chin from this election result. It is one of the few issue areas for which there is clarity in the form of promises made by Trump on the campaign trail. Global health may well benefit, as the coalition behind it is stronger and includes more conservative voices. Given the trade positions of candidate Trump, it’s hard to imagine proponents of food aid reform being successful: In all likelihood America will continue to fly and ship U.S. agricultural products rather than providing funds directly to those who need it. … Perhaps the key question then is not what a new U.S. administration will do when it comes to global development. Perhaps the key question is what our community will do to stand up for the priorities and values we believe in…” (11/10).

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