Unleashing the Power of U.S. Economic Engagement with Developing Countries

1. Unleashing the Power of U.S. Economic Engagement with Developing Countries

2. US Private Giving is 3 times as great as Official Development Assistance. There are many, many groups that are economically engaged with the developing countries.

3. Index of Philanthropy 2006Hudson Institute • Private aid in 2004 -- in the form of money, volunteer time, goods, and expertise to the developing world -- was at least $71 billion—more than three and a half times U.S. government foreign aid. • Private aid means more targeted, people-to-people giving which usually comes with demands for accountability, which government aid often does not. Privately donated money goes hand in hand with other private donations of time and expertise, resulting in true partnerships between the helpers and the poor. • Private aid and investment in the developing world is better at creating lasting institutions that promote political and economic freedom—the preconditions for creating lasting prosperity. • The Institute includes the following sources of US private assistance: Foundations - $3.4 billion; Corporations - $4.9 billion; Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) - $9.7 billion; Universities - $1.7 billion; Religious Organizations - $4.5 billion; and Individual Remittances - $47 billion.

4. The majority of the private giving is done by “Searchers.”* * This is William Easterly’s term for agents of change for alternative approach for promoting economic development. Easterly comments in his book, “The White Man’s Burden” that the poor are their own best “searchers.” People at the ground level, seeking opportunities to make an incremental but positive and eventually significant change. “Planners” are the traditional foreign assistance policy makers who focus on major investments guided by a top down approach that, according to Easterly, is ineffective without clear engagement and leadership by “Searchers.”

5. Access to information is the key to creating opportunities for development. How do we empower “Searchers”?

6. A Geospatial Information System could provide access to information for a diverse group of public and private entities interested in promoting social and economic development.

7. Google Earth

8. User Controlled Layers Each Entity or Group is a “layer” with individual place markers.

9. Google Earth could provide the basis for an Information Platform for “Searchers” El Salvador

10. Poverty Map El Salvador

11. Remittance Map – El Salvador 40% - 49% of Households Receiving Remittances 50% or more of Households Receiving Remittances

12. El Salvador MCA Geographic Area of Emphasis Northern Zone of El Salvador

13. Linking Private Investors with Producers El Salvador

14. Bulletin Board Function Allow users to create a marketplace of opportunities and support where ideas, proposals, concerns can be highlighted in an effort to find support, promote development and create synergy with other programs. Rotary International Project Proposal La Laguneta & El Chile, El Salvador

15. System Should be Self-Sustaining Paid with Ad Revenue from Sponsors • Establish Internet based geospatial information system (cost estimate from MetaCarta). • Information updating and maintenance of the system (4 person staff - Latin America, Asia/Near East, Africa and Middle East). • Marketing (promotion budget to launch the website and encourage use among diverse groups in US).

16. The End