Putting Smart Power to Work Campaign

Secretary Madeleine K. Albright Honorary Co-Chair	Secretary Tom Ridge Honorary Co-Chair

About the Campaign

There is little doubt that today’s global challenges call for a reinvigorated approach to our foreign policy where development and diplomacy co-exist alongside defense as key elements of how the U.S. engages with the rest of the world. There is a broad bipartisan consensus for a “smart power” foreign policy approach of elevating and strengthening our non-military tools — and the USGLC’s “Putting Smart Power to Work” campaign seeks to build on policymakers’ commitments and translate these ideas into real policy change.

Now is the Time

During the 2008 Presidential campaign, the USGLC launched Impact ’08: Building a Better, Safer World calling upon the candidates to adopt a “smart power” platform for addressing the global challenges of the 21st century. Both major party nominees embraced this vision. President Obama and a diverse, bipartisan group of Members of Congress are now calling for a new era of engagement in the world with more resources for the International Affairs Budget, elevating and strengthening development and diplomacy, and a more streamlined and effective foreign assistance structure. Now is the time to seize the momentum to translate policy commitments to policy change.

Putting Smart Power to Work Goals

Restoring America’s image abroad and securing peace and prosperity at home requires the will to revitalize our civilian institutions. Putting Smart Power to Work will ensure America has a comprehensive approach to foreign assistance that includes the following elements:

- Increased Resources. Greater investment in international affairs will require not only budgetary resources but also increases in personnel, who are vital for the U.S. to meet its goals efficiently and strategically.

- Modernized Structure. As the Administration and Congress seek to modernize our foreign assistance apparatus, it is imperative that the end result brings coherence and coordination of foreign assistance strategy, policies and programs.

- Empowered, Strengthened, and Distinct Development and Diplomacy Voice. As the State Department and NSC leadership seek to create a blueprint for the future of development and diplomacy, the result should include empowered, strengthened and distinct voices for development and diplomacy.

- Rebalanced Civilian-Military Authorities. There is strong consensus from military leaders – including Defense Secretary Robert Gates – that increased investments in diplomacy and development are needed to make our country more secure. The global threats we face today cannot be solved by military means alone and require a rebalancing of the civilian-military authorities and resources between the Department of State and Department of Defense.

- Aligned Congressional and Executive Branch Authorities. There is a growing bipartisan support for rewriting the outdated Foreign Assistance Act to ensure greater flexibility, transparency and effectiveness of U.S. development programs. With more and more agencies taking on an international role – coordination is critical for achieving results.