The Intersection of Foreign Aid Seminar 2008

The Intersection of Foreign Aid with Security, Morality and Business

Aspen Institute Socrates Seminar
Aspen, Colorado
June 27-30, 2008

Moderator: The Honorable Mary K. Bush

The 21st century has brought a powerful illumination of how the world is indeed one global family.  And as families go, there is love; there is war; and there is reconciliation. There are some family members with the highest levels of education, skills and achievement.  And there are others in the family who, no matter the effort, find themselves needing a helping hand.

America is remote geographically from many parts of the world where economic and political challenges abound.  Nevertheless, new technologies bring these issues-- the good and the bad-- to our doorstep.  Foreign aid is a critical part of our foreign policy, but its power to generate change is hugely underestimated.  Also underestimated is its effect on the lives of Americans and other “donor” countries. .

This seminar will explore the relationships between foreign aid, security, business and America’s moral and other values.  Is our promotion of democracy and democratic principles primarily in support of our own interests or are we morally obligated to help people in other societies realize the political, and economic freedoms associated with democracy?

Should businesses help with the “development” of countries in which they do business or should their only concern be that of increasing shareholder value?  Are these goals really in opposition to each other or might they be mutually supportive?  How can the US Government’s foreign aid; private activities by philanthropies, foundations, businesses, etc. and other international efforts be better integrated to produce more profound and lasting results on the lives of people in the developing world? 

How do we reconcile the competing needs of the poor in America and the poor in other countries?  Are there new ways of doing things that might reduce the presumed frictions?  Can technology help reconcile these competing objectives?  Can the entrepreneurial prowess of America be “taught” in order to help developing countries build vibrant private sectors?  Is that really the issue or are there a “skills gap” and a “capital gap?”  What roles can aid and business play in reducing these gaps?