Global Policy Forum

By James Wolfensohn

The horrifying events of Sept. 11 have made this, for many, a time of reflection on how to make the world a better and safer place. The international community has already moved strongly to do so, by confronting terrorism directly and increasing security. We have also seen real collaboration aimed at averting global recession. These are signs of a rising international responses to international problems.

But we must go one step further. The greatest long-term challenge for the global community in building a better world is that of fighting poverty and promoting inclusion worldwide. This is even more imperative now, when we know that because of the terrorist attacks, growth in developing countries will falter, pushing millions more into poverty and causing tens of thousands of children to die from malnutrition, disease and deprivation.

Poverty in itself does not immediately and directly lead to conflict, let alone to terrorism. Rather than responding to deprivation by lashing out at others, the vast majority of the world's poor devote their energy to the daily struggle to secure income, food and opportunities for their children.

And yet we know that exclusion can breed violent conflict. Research tells us that civil wars have often resulted not so much from ethnic diversity - the usual scapegoat - as from a mix of factors, in which poverty is a central ingredient. And conflict-ridden countries in turn become safe havens for terrorists. Our common goal must be to eradicate poverty, to promote inclusion and social justice, to bring the marginalized into the mainstream of the global economy and society.

We can do this through steps that help prevent conflicts. Take the example of the Nile Basin Initiative. It is no secret that water shortages pose a challenge to development and peace in North Africa and the Middle East. The initiative is a coming together of the 10 countries of the Nile River Basin, providing a vehicle for cooperation on a program of sustainable water use and development. This is a good example of multilateral action to prevent conflict and to work directly for poverty reduction.

Equally important, we can help peace set down roots in societies just emerging from conflict. For example in Bosnia, international support is helping communities come together at the local level on small-scale projects, creating jobs, and bridging ethnic differences.

Or in post-conflict societies like East Timor and Rwanda - where the international community is helping to rebuild infrastructure, reintegrate soldiers into the society and workforce, and restore the capacity of governments to manage their economies. Success may take years of hard work, but the alternative is a never-ending cycle of violence.

Central to conflict prevention and peace-building must be strategies for promoting social cohesion and inclusion, ensuring that all have opportunities for gainful employment, that societies avoid wide income inequalities that can threaten social stability and that poor people have access to education, health care, and basic services such as clean water, sanitation and power.

In the wake of the tragedy of Sept. 11, facing these challenges and taking multilateral action to meet them are more important than ever. What should be our agenda? First, scale up foreign aid. This may be much harder in an international economy that is slowing, but the needs and the stakes were never greater.

Second, reduce trade barriers. The World Trade Organization summit must go ahead, and must be a development round, one that is motivated primarily by a desire to use trade as a tool for poverty reduction.

Third, focus on development assistance to ensure good results. This means improving the climate for investment, productivity, growth, and jobs.

And fourth, act internationally on global issues. This includes confronting terrorism and internationalized crime and money laundering, but also combating communicable diseases like AIDS and malaria.

Whether we take up that challenge is up to us. Which course we choose will determine not just our future, but whether our children and grandchildren can live in peace.

The writer, president of the World Bank, contributed this comment to the International Herald Tribune.

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