BORGEN PROJECT - POVERTY AND TERRORISM

"A world where some live in comfort and
plenty, while half of the human race lives on
less than $2 a day, is neither just nor stable,"
The National Security Strategy of the White House.

Poverty and National Security
In recent years it has become clear that poverty and oppression in
far away regions can greatly undermine security in the U.S.

The National Security Strategy of the
United States of America - The Official
Document outlining the plan of the White
House for protecting the U.S. The
following sections of the report discuss the
importance of addressing global poverty:
- Economic Growth through Free Markets
- Expand the Circle of Development

You Don't Say?
After the September 11th,
terrorist attacks, a group of
prominent business leaders
(including Bill Gates Sr.)
began discussing what
could be done to prevent
future attacks. The group
determined eliminating
extreme global poverty is
the most important issue
facing the U.S. Learn more
about the Initiative for
Global Development.

Among the 9-11 Commissions Findings:
"A comprehensive U.S. strategy to
counter terrorism should include
economic policies that encourage
development, more open societies, and
opportunities for people to improve the
lives of their families and to enhance
prospects for their children’s future."

"When people lose hope, when societies
break down, when countries fragment, the
breeding grounds for terrorism are
created. Backward economic policies and
repressive political regimes slip into
societies that are without hope, where
ambition and passions have no
constructive outlet."

"Pakistan’s endemic poverty, widespread
corruption, and often ineffective
government create opportunities for
Islamist recruitment. Poor education is a
particular concern. Millions of families,
especially those with little money, send
their children to religious schools, or
madrassahs. Many of these schools are
the only opportunity available for an
education, but some have been used as
incubators for violent extremism.
According to Karachi’s police commander,
there are 859 madrassahs teaching more
than 200,000 youngsters in his city alone."

Uncle Sam himself,
USAID report
"Foreign Aid in the
National Interest."

Addressing Poverty to
Improve U.S. Security
is Nothing New
A 1997 report published by
the Congressional Budget
Office had the headline
“Development in other
countries enhances U.S.
security.” Read the report.

"Poverty in all its
forms is the greatest
single threat to
peace, security,
democracy, human
rights and the
environment."

USAID:Foreign Aid in
the National Interest -
Report by the White
House that explains
why addressing global
poverty is imperative to
national security.

Head of the World
Trade Organisation,
Michael Moore.

Read the 911 R eport O nline

“The battle of peace has to be fought on two fronts. The first front is the
security front, where victory spells freedom from fear. The second
is the economic and social front, where victory means freedom from
want. Only victory on both fronts can assure the world of an enduring
peace.” US Secretary of State Edward R. Stettinius in 1945.

ONE Campaign
Alertnet
Adopt a Minefield
Vietnam Veterans of America
National Veterans LSP
Globalissues.org
UNDP
World Health Organization
UN-Habitat
UNHCHR
DFID
World Bank
UNFPA
Choike
Make Poverty History
U N Development Program

UN Humanitarian Affairs News
UN News Center
UN Statistics Division on the MDG's
UN Dispatch
United Nations Secretary General
UN Foundation
Main Bodies of the UN
UN Humanitarian Affairs
UN Economic and Social Development
FAQ's on the UN
Millennium Promise
Millennium Project
Millennium Campaign

“More than ever, U.S.
foreign policy toward the
developing world plays a
vital role in the global
balance between conflict
and peace. Our national
security challenges are
increasingly complex and
the role of development
increasingly recognized
as pivotal.”

Did you know... 78% of Americans
favor helping poor countries develop
their economies as a measure to
combat international terrorism.