Our Work

The need to strengthen international economic cooperation has never been greater, and the stakes are high for the United States and the rest of the world. At home, America's deep seated ambivalence toward multilateral engagement has reached critical levels. Over the past decade Congress' efforts to opt out of its international commitments have become increasingly frequent, while important international legislation is sometimes held hostage by those seeking political advantage.

Examples abound. Contribution levels to the IMF, World Bank and other international institutions have steadily declined, and new legislation comes only after prolonged and bruising fights, even in periods when financial turmoil threatened the global economy. The absence of permanent trade promotion authority has undermined successive administrations' efforts to liberalize trade and promote growth in the United States and global economy. This is ultimately costly for American jobs and profits, and damaging to our nation's international reputation.

There is a considerable gap in public understanding that must be bridged. Even while the United States' foreign assistance contributions are the lowest of any industrialized country on a percentage of GDP basis, the public perception is that we spend far too much. With an international affairs budget 30 percent lower than a decade ago, and repeated instances of withheld payments to international organizations, many of our foreign friends question America's commitment to carrying its fair share?

Meanwhile, the process of globalization continues to bring growth and prosperity to most corners of the globe. Yet, but too many individuals, groups and nations are being left behind. For decades the World Bank and its sister institutions have successfully fought to promote growth and prosperity for the least fortunate.