Europe and Eurasia Vision
Fifteen years ago, in one of the most stunning developments of the twentieth century, the communist world of Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union dissolved into 27 separate independent countries. The vast majority of its citizenry expressed a desire to move toward democratic governance and free market economies. But the transition, even with international donor assistance, has proven to be anything but easy.
Three essential elements of the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia’s assistance to the former communist world include helping to establish full democracies rooted in the rule of law, nurturing vibrant market economies, and supporting the emergence of a responsive social net to meet the needs of the people, especially those disadvantaged during difficult times of transition.
Successful reform is dependent upon an established foundation of values -- values which are the bedrock for creating and sustaining democracy, values which insist on an equitable and fair market economy, values which guarantee human rights and religious freedom, and values which can overcome the irrational passions, hatred and bitterness which ignite and fuel conflict.
Our foreign assistance has always reflected our national commitment not only to promote respect for peoples of all beliefs and ethnic backgrounds, but also to demonstrate that respect through American foreign assistance given to those in need, regardless of ethnic origin or religious belief. Indeed, President Bush continues to remind us all of this by saying that "helping people in need is a central part of not only the Christian faith, but of Judaism and the Hindu faith, and of course a central part of Islamic traditions.”
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| Dr. Kent R. Hill was nominated by President George W. Bush, and confirmed by the United States Senate to be Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia. He was sworn into office on November 6, 2001. |
For the foreseeable future, there will be humanitarian needs that compassion and our own enlightened national self-interest compel us to address. Sections of the Balkans, for example, are suffering from significant problems related to the aftermath of war and often-involuntary internal migrations. Conflict resolution and reconciliation, particularly in conflict-prone countries of Southeast Europe, the Caucasus, and Central Asia, is necessarily a high priority. In addition, the demographic indicators for Russia are not encouraging.
HIV/AIDS infection in Russia is growing faster than anywhere else in the world. There are other significant problems in the healthcare field as well. Trafficking of drugs and persons have become major problems as well.
In order to respond effectively to these pressing needs, we are expanding our cooperation with other donor nations and we continue to cultivate our ties with the private sector, international financial institutions, and non-governmental organizations. The Bureau's experience with enterprise funds, health partnerships, and several different foundation mechanisms established in the more advanced northern tier central European countries is yielding important lessons for the development of effective, public-private alliances. Improving the competitiveness of the countries in our region, opening up their economies to the global market, reducing unemployment, and energizing small and medium enterprises are essential in realizing the economic potential of our region.
Developing such alliances to promote democracy-building is critical to both domestic international security. We know that it is most prudent to take early action to help failed and failing states learn how to govern in a way that makes citizens participatory stakeholders, rather than to risk war and the high costs of reconstruction. We know from history that democracies tend not to enter into armed conflict with one another. Experience teaches that stable democracies are far less likely to serve as fertile ground for terrorists.
American taxpayer dollars spent on foreign assistance and development is one of the wisest investments of our money.
Communicating the value of development to the American public—the “return” on its investment, if you will—is a key Bureau priority. Success achieved over the past fifteen years is often best communicated through the many personal stories of those who work tirelessly to deliver our assistance. More than 1100 USAID professionals (most of whom are from the countries we serve), plus hundreds of our implementing partners, give their hearts and minds daily to our mission in Eastern Europe and the former Soviet Union. We seek to promote a public forum for their voices to be heard, where the USAID story can be told in the first person.
The Bureau will seeks to inspire global volunteerism and mobilize private sector support to facilitate development by recognizing the outstanding achievements of American citizens who have contributed to the realization of our Agency’s mission. Motivated by a desire to serve the public good, these individuals are the backbone of much of what USAID and the U.S. foreign service seeks to accomplish in the emerging democracies of Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union, and countries throughout the world.
Much has been accomplished and much remains to be done. We at the Bureau for Europe and Eurasia are committed to staying the course.
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