President Barack Obama, taking stock Wednesday of his efforts to boost living standards in developing countries, said he made global development a "fundamental pillar" of U.S. foreign policy because it's a good investment, and he urged his successor to continue to prioritize the issue.
Obama said funding development projects in spite of pressing needs in the U.S. is worthwhile because it helps with security at home.
"Development isn't charity. It's one of the smartest investments we can make in our shared future and in our security," he said while delivering the keynote address at a White House summit that was organized to review progress on global development during his presidency.
Obama said few people question the billions of dollars that are spent annually to keep the U.S. military in top fighting shape. He said he's glad to be commander of the world's best military, but that spending a fraction of that money on schools, clean water and health care in other countries means "we're also going to be in a better position to protect our country and improve our country."
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