President Obama has spoken a lot this week about the need for the U.S. to better engage the rest of the world, and one of the ways he plans to go about this is through greater investments in development and U.S. foreign assistance.  He told an audience of development elites at the Clinton Global Initiative that while the U.S. is “making substantial increases in foreign assistance,” it will take all elements of society working together to “confront the challenges of our time.” 

A familiar theme with the President this week has been the U.S. is not going to “go it alone” in solving the world’s problems.  Calling all nations to recognize the challenges that lie ahead, he spoke of the need for renewed global partnerships and new exchanges.  While the U.S. will do its part, other countries need to contribute and recipients of assistance must combat corruption in meeting the needs of their people. 

Obama summed up his remarks at CGI saying, “We’re renewing development as a key element of American foreign policy — not by lecturing and imposing our ideas, but by listening and working together; by seeking more exchanges between students and experts; new collaborations among scientists to promote technological development; partnerships between businesses, entrepreneurs to advance prosperity and opportunity for people everywhere.”

“That’s how we’ll confront the challenges of our time. This is how we will seize the promise of this moment in history. Standing together.  Working together.  And building together.”

To read the President’s full speech, click here.