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New
Roadmap for U.S. Engagement with the World
April 2008
Women’s Action for New Directions has been working
with the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
and numerous colleague organizations to seize
the opportunity for significant change in U.S. foreign
policy presented by the 2009 transition to new U.S.
leadership.
The
initiative we have developed will advance a slate
of concrete, coordinated recommendations for significant
reforms in both the structures and goals of U.S. engagement
with the world – from the broadest possible
spectrum of supporting organizations and institutions
– to help the incoming Administration and congressional
leaders act effectively and efficiently in response
to the broad support that exists for a change of direction
in U.S. foreign policy.
In
a series of meetings facilitated by the AFSC, representatives
from a diverse group of civil society organizations
including NGOs, think tanks, faith-based organizations
and operational service groups as well as expert advisors
have worked together to develop a New Roadmap
for U.S. Engagement with the World. Drawing
from the varied perspectives represented in our collective
work, we have distilled five central principles to
guide recommended changes in U.S. foreign policy approach:
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A federal budget that invests more in long-term
tools for diplomacy, development, and conflict prevention
across U.S. government agencies is a cost-effective
way to foster peace and improve human, national,
and global security.
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Expanded
U.S. government capacity for civilian-led and implemented
foreign assistance and crisis response offers a
more strategic and cost-effective alternative to
military-led involvement.
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A
well-resourced and field-present diplomatic infrastructure
will enhance U.S. ability to prevent and resolve
conflict through dialogue, and restore U.S. credibility
and trust in the world.
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U.S.
recommitment to constructive participation in international
institutions and partnerships is necessary to address
key global challenges that include conflict prevention,
peacebuilding and peacekeeping, nonproliferation,
climate change, migration, public health, and poverty.
-
U.S.
trade and development policies that reflect a long-term
commitment to gender-equitable human welfare, poverty
alleviation, and sustainable use of natural resources
will enhance aid effectiveness, contribute to national
interests, and ensure a stable global environment.
These
principles frame a concise slate of concrete recommendations
for critical infrastructure, resource, and other changes
to help the incoming Administration and Congress accomplish
each principle in practice. Along with this overarching
summary document, the final “Roadmap”
will include supporting analysis for each recommendation
drawn from the expertise of the spectrum of groups
supporting this effort, along with links to more detailed
research, relevant case studies, polling, and other
information that further demonstrates how the policy
would promote human, national, and global security.
The
New Roadmap for U.S. Engagement with the World aims
to transcend political boundaries, “silos”
of issue focus, and divergent institutional approaches,
encompassing the voices of a broad spectrum of organizations
and institutions concerned with the U.S. role in every
aspect of its engagement with the world.
Our hope is that this framework of principles harnesses
the multidisciplinary values and foreign policy priorities
sought throughout U.S. civil society, including those
of your organization. To simplify the sign on process
we are seeking organizational endorsement of the overarching
principles, with the accompanying recommendations
and supporting documents provided as actionable options
which endorsing organizations need not officially
approve. We welcome your input
to the Roadmap content, and hope you will consider
signing on in support of this shared voice for change
in U.S. foreign policy approach.
For
more information or to sign on as an endorsing organization
for the principles outlined above, please contact
Laura Weis (lweis@afsc.org/ (202) 483-3341 ext. 114)
or Anisa Virji (avirji@afsc.org/ (202) 483-3341 ext.
113) with the AFSC Washington Office.
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