Despite the fact that people are linked ever more closely by trade, travel and instant communication, the world remains divided by vast differences between rich countries and poor countries. Polling data consistently show that Americans care about poverty, global health, education, and the environment, but often misunderstand how their country’s policies influence these issues. Rich World, Poor World: A Guide to Global Development is a series of briefs and a public education campaign that provides often over-looked facts about the links between U.S. policy and development outcomes. The briefs serve as a great introduction for high school students on through adults to a range of global issues including foreign aid, trade and labor standards, state building, HIV/AIDS, and education.
If you would like to request paper copies of the Rich World, Poor World briefs for conferences, seminars, or classroom use, or if you are interested in inviting a CGD expert to speak, please contact Sarah Jane Staats by e-mail.
Why Global Development Matters for the U.S.
6/2006
Development refers to improvements in the conditions of people’s lives, such as health, education, and income. It occurs at different rates in different countries. The U.S. underwent its own version of development when it became an independent nation in 1776.
U.S. Assistance for Global Development
6/2006
U.S. "development assistance" refers to the transfer of resources from the United States to developing countries and to some strategic allies. It is delivered in the form of money (via loans or grants), contributions of goods (such as food aid), and technical assistance.
Global Trade and Development
6/2006
Trade plays a key role in an increasingly interconnected and interdependent world, and it makes up a large part of the global economy.
Global Trade, Jobs, and Labor Standards
6/2006
Trade has the potential to be a force for raising incomes worldwide by spurring economic growth, reducing prices, increasing the variety of goods for consumers, and helping countries acquire new technologies. Trade contributes to economic growth in the U.S., but does have tradeoffs. While it does not affect the total number of jobs in the short run—that is determined by the overall strength or weakness of the economy—it does change the distribution of jobs across sectors and creates losers as well as winners.
State Building and Global Development
6/2006
State building is creating and strengthening the institutions necessary to support long-term economic, social, and political development. In the U.S. we often take these institutions for granted, but in many countries they are weak or absent.
Education and the Developing World
6/2006
All children around the world have the right to an education. Investing in education is not just the right thing to do; it's the smart thing to do. Why? Because education gives people the skills they need to help themselves out of poverty and into prosperity.
Global HIV/AIDS and the Developing World
6/2006
HIV/AIDS is one of the largest challenges the global community has ever faced. It has major human and economic impacts including reduced life expectancy to as little as 30 years in some of the countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS and decreased economic productivity, leaving these countries trapped in poverty.