Unleashing the Power of U.S. Economic Engagement with

Developing Countries

US Private Giving is 3 times as great as Official Development

Assistance.

There are many, many groups that are economically engaged with the

developing countries.

Index of Philanthropy 2006Hudson Institute

Private aid in 2004 -- in the form of money, volunteer time, goods, and expertise to the developing world -- was at least $71 billion—more than three and a half times U.S. government foreign aid.

Private aid means more targeted, people-to-people giving which usually comes with demands for accountability, which government aid often does not. Privately donated money goes hand in hand with other private donations of time and expertise, resulting in true partnerships between the helpers and the poor.

Private aid and investment in the developing world is better at creating lasting institutions that promote political and economic freedom—the preconditions for creating lasting prosperity.

The Institute includes the following sources of US private assistance: Foundations - $3.4 billion; Corporations - $4.9 billion; Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) - $9.7 billion; Universities - $1.7 billion; Religious Organizations - $4.5 billion; and Individual Remittances - $47 billion.

The majority of the private giving is done by “Searchers.”*

* This is William Easterly’s term for agents of change for alternative approach for promoting economic development. Easterly comments in his book, “The White Man’s Burden” that the poor are their own best

“searchers.” People at the ground level, seeking opportunities to make an incremental but positive and eventually significant change.

“Planners” are the traditional foreign assistance policy makers who focus on major investments guided by a top down approach

that, according to Easterly, is ineffective without clear engagement and leadership by “Searchers.”

Access to information is the key to creating opportunities for

development.

How do we empower “Searchers”?

A Geospatial Information System could provide access to information for a diverse group

of public and private entities interested in promoting social and economic development.

Google Earth

User Controlled Layers

Each Entity or Group is a “layer” with individual place markers.

Google Earth could provide the basis for an Information Platform for “Searchers”

El Salvador

Poverty Map El Salvador

Remittance Map – El Salvador40% - 49% of

Households Receiving Remittances

50% or more of Households Receiving

Remittances

El Salvador MCA Geographic Area of Emphasis

Northern Zone of El Salvador

Linking Private Investors with Producers

TheThe NorthernNorthern ZoneZone

92 municipalities (35%)850 k inhabitants (12%)

7,500 kms 2 ( 36%)

La Palma -San Ignacio -

Citalá

Alto Lempa Norte

Chalatenango

Ilobasco

Sensuntepeque

Manantialesdel Norte

Osicala -Perquin

Santa Rosade Lima

Gotera -Chapeltique

Alto Lempa Sur

Metapán

GUATEMALAGUATEMALAHONDURASHONDURAS

El Salvador

Bulletin Board Function

Allow users to create a marketplace of opportunities and support where ideas, proposals, concerns can be highlighted in an effort to find support, promote

development and create synergy with other programs.

Rotary International Project ProposalLa Laguneta & El Chile, El Salvador

System Should be Self-Sustaining Paid with Ad Revenue from Sponsors

• Establish Internet based geospatial information system (cost estimate from MetaCarta).

• Information updating and maintenance of the system (4 person staff - Latin America, Asia/Near East, Africa and Middle East).

• Marketing (promotion budget to launch the website and encourage use among diverse groups in US).

The End