Newell-Fonda High School
Newell, Iowa
Teacher: Mrs. Doonan

Why do we need the Millennium Challenge Plan?
By Michelle A. Iversen 

Why do we need the Millennium Challenge Plan? What is its purpose? Many say we don’t need it. Some will agree with this and some won’t.

President Bush proposes to create a financial plan to help poverty stricken countries. This is a ten-year plan. He proposes to raise per capita income, illiteracy rates, and infant mortality, plus a lot more. The proposed starting rate is five billion dollars. It will slowly increase over the years.

People in Afghanistan suffer from poverty and war. The government can’t [develop] because of this. 

Some of the countries that qualify for this plan are: Honduras, India and Mongolia. There are several countries that don’t qualify for this plan. Indonesia, Zambia, and Nicaragua are just a few.... If we don’t help these countries out, then who will or will they die out?

Some people... think the money could go to help terrorism spread or poverty could continue to spread, and maybe get worse. There are several programs helping to raise money for over seas. The Church World Service helps people who are suffering due to drought.  

We also have poverty-stricken areas in the United States. Who will help us out?  

Some people say [the MCA] is directed towards the wealthy. Hopefully this isn't true. [If so, I hope it] won't pass the Senate and House of Representatives.

Questions

Q1- President Bush claimed that most funds for development do not come from international aid. He mentions three things that do fund development. What are they? 

A1- Security, trade, and financing.

Q2- President bush reminded his audience that successful development in a third world country requires more than funds. What two items did he mention in this regard? 

A- Education and health care needs.

Q3- When is money sometimes counterproductive, according to President Bush? 

A3- When nations refuse to enact sound policies.

Q4- Describe the Millennium Challenge Account and include in your description what is anticipated from donors and recipients. 

A4- The Millennium Challenge Account is to help aide poverty stricken areas. From donors they want shared responsibility of countries and from recipients they want them to adopt and secure good government, respect human rights, rule of law, better health care, better schools, and broader immunization.

Q5- What are the three broad standards that President Bush expects the leaders of the developing nations to adopt? 

A5- Ruling justly, investing in their people, and encouraging economic freedom.

Q6- Describe President Bush’s challenge to development bands and explain why or why not you favor it. They should adopt a growth agenda, increase their support for private sector enter prizes and focusing more on education. 

A6- I agree with them because if they didn’t grow and change then the country probably wouldn’t either.

Q7- What percentage of our national income (GNP) do you think the United States government committed to foreign aid in 2002? First answer this question and then use the Internet to find the answer.  

A7- I guessed 50%

Q8- Describe and defend a “Me First” attitude.

A8-  "Me First" attitude is where you put yourself first.

Q9- Describe and defend a “Mutual Benefit” attitude.

A9- Mutual benefit attitude is where you give or lend the other person something and he/she gives you something in return.

Q10- Describe three unsuccessful foreign aid programs operated by the U.S. government or private American citizens.

A10- The Food for Peace in Third World countries, African agricultural assistance in African and the Livestock production project in Senegal.

Q11- Describe three successful foreign aid programs operated by the U.S. government or private American citizens.

A11- The Bread for the World, Sadan Peace Act, Lutheran World Federation, and the Consultation Help.

Q12- Steve Radelet, Senior Fellow at the Center for Global Development, believes we can do both, take care of our own people and lend a helping hand to citizens of less developed countries. Explain why you think we can or cannot offer aid to both.

A12- I think we can because we would support our families and in turn we can support citizens overseas.

Q13- What do you think about Mr. Radelet’s assertion that “the administration is leaning towards a system in which eligible countries should write proposals (or business plans) describing their objectives and strategy, how they would use the money, the benchmarks used for evaluation. Giving recipient countries the responsibility is a revolutionary change in US foreign assistance.”? 

A13- I agree because if they didn’t write proposals then they could use the money for things they don’t need.

Q14- Which of Mr. Radelet’s three concerns regarding the MCA concerns you and why?

A14- I disagree [that] the make-or-break requirement may unnecessarily eliminate some countries [and that the] countries that are in dire need of help won’t get it and if this happens then countries that don’t really need help...could get help.

Q15- There is evidence of an increase in negative would opinion towards U.S. foreign policy, not necessarily the American people. To counter this negative perception of the U.S. some people want the U.S to concentrate more on weapons of mass assistance (WMA) and less on weapons of mass destruction (WMD). Please comment. 

A15- I agree with this but the government better not disregard mass destruction of weapons. I think we need to help with mass assistance because a lot of people need help [world] wide.

Q16- What does the World Bank recommend as the United State’s “just and appropriate share” to reach the Millennium Development Goals by 2015? Do you think our citizens can afford that kind of increase? Defend your views. 

A16- It means to share the U.S. economy and its wealth. I disagree because not everyone could contribute and not a lot of people make tons of money in a year.

Q17- What do you think about the request of Faith Action for People Centered Development Policy’s request that tax dollars be used to fund, not only government-sponsored foreign aid programs, but “that funds also go to NGOs and grassroots organizations.”? 

A17- I think they shouldn’t do that because then tax could go up and maybe the tax dollars wouldn’t or won’t reach the organizations or program.

Q18- How many countries would be affected positively by heath-related investments according to the Commission on Macroeconomics and Health (CMH)? 

A18- It would affect eighteen countries.

Q19- According to the CMH, how much would be gained annually between 2015-2020 due to saved lives and increased economic growth, if an increased investment were made in global AIDS and other health services?  

A19- 360 billion dollars will be gained due to saved lives.

Q20- Use the Internet for your research and name the two congressmen who introduced H.R. 4524. Give a 2-line synopsis of that bill. 

A20- Mr. Smith and Mr. Lafalce.  It said that the net present value of the outstanding public and publicly guaranteed debt of the [foreign] country [should] not more exceed more than 150% of the annual value of the exports of that country....     
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