The Overseas Aid Imperative

I am glad that the Government have maintained a strong commitment to overseas aid - even if it is just 1% of our GDP. 
Even with the Budget deficit, and the difficult economy, we still have a duty to the rest of the world.  Aid is not only ethical, but combating poverty saves lives and helps bring stability to the poorest regions of the world.  In doing so, it can stop the migration of populations and curb immigration demand into Western countries.
I thought of this both yesterday and this morning:
Last night I went to thank few local residents who had spent a week living on just one pound a day to spend on food - in order to raise awareness of poverty and to raise money for Africa. 
Today I visited a warehouse in Matching (literally on the outskirts of Harlow), where I met with the Directors of West African Relief.  The warehouse was packed with clothes and other items all to be shipped to Sierra Leone. This charity bas been established by Harlow residents and has linked up with the Phoenix Resource Centre (which rescues consumables from the scrap heap),  also based in Harlow and Northants.  Already a host of celebrities including Miss West Africa have given the charity their backing.
The commitment to aid will only be a real success, if it comes from communities, rather than just Governments diverting taxpayers' money overseas.  Community and government assistance has to be complementary, especially if the argument for overseas aid is to be made.
My own preference is that governments should be 'enablers' for aid: providing some finance,  know-how and acting as facilitators.  But international aid will be most successful if it comes from communities to communities, by passing Government's, quangos et al.
In short, aid should be bilateral rather than go through multilateral agencies like the EU. This would mean projects harnessed by local people, assisted by national Government where necessary, going directly to the people intended, rather than passing first through this or that agency.

Overseas Aid is an important component of muscular enlightenment

If spent carefully, overseas aid is a vital tool of every neo-con.  It can be used as a force for spreading liberty across the world:  promoting democratic parties, preventing terrorism, stopping disease and starvation.  Too often, the critique of neo-conservatism, has been that  its objectives can be achieved through the use of arms.  "You can't drop democracy from the barrels of a B52 bomber" is the oft quoted refrain.

But neo-conservatism is much more than that.  It is as much about hearts and minds as it is about using military force.   It supports muscular enlightenment:   helping to create and sustain a rule of law, religious tolerance, equality towards women and property rights. Democracy - parliament and elections) is just one of the components of freedom, not the whole sum.  International development is one of the means to achieve that objective.

You can argue about the level of aid, or even that some of it gets wasted.  Both have validity.  I have my own views about finance ending up in the hands of terrorists in the Palestinian Territories for example.

But the principle, that wise aid can advance the cause of greater freedom -for countries suffering from repression - remains strong.  Just because some aid is mis-used, does not mean that all aid is a waste of money.

So, I welcome our Government's support for a decent level of overseas aid spending - especially if it is used to advance muscular enlightenment around the world.

P.S.  It is well worth reading Sir John Major, who makes a similar point HERE

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Overseas Apprenticeships

Following my previous blog about offering young people apprentices overseas, below is a full copy of my speech in the House of Commons today:

"I congratulate the hon. Member for Na h-Eileanan an Iar (Mr MacNeil) on securing this debate. I am pleased that BT broadband is working so well in the Hebrides. I always enjoy watching his contributions from the other side of the House and his remarks today were particularly thoughtful.

The economic crisis and the £900 billion public debt have made times hard. Charities and voluntary groups feel that pressure considerably. I welcome this debate because organisations such as Voluntary Service Overseas have transformed people's lives. It is important that the House think of them as we try to bring public finances under control.

We must acknowledge that there is some good news: the Government are committed to spending 0.7% of our national income on aid and the DFID budget will grow to nearly £10 billion a year by the end of this Parliament. I welcome DFID's plan to reform the aid system to prioritise clean water and sanitation programmes, and to give British taxpayers more transparency so that they can see where their money is going. I welcome the fact that the Government will cushion the impact of reductions in public spending through the £100 million transition fund, which will be available to smaller charities and social enterprises. Above all, we have a duty to show that we are getting value for money as Government spending is restrained to grow in line with inflation.

I will focus on apprenticeships abroad. When aid is well spent, it is hugely in our national interest. As was stated in the policy paper, "One World Conservatism",

"well-spent aid has worked miracles: eliminating smallpox, almost eradicating polio…helping get millions of children into school and saving millions of families from hunger and disease."

In the debate on global poverty on 1 July, I made the point that the best form of aid is sharing expertise and know-how. Above all, there is no substitute for knowledge. Providing vocational skills and training, such as apprenticeships, is one of the best ways in which we can help our neighbours overseas.

Hon. Members have spoken of their work for VSO. Many of them will have heard of Project Umubano in Rwanda, which I was privileged to go on over two summers to teach English. The people there are hungry not only for food and work, but for knowledge and skills. VSO does a huge amount to share concrete, practical skills. The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, with which I worked a few years ago in Uganda and Tanzania through the Conservative party, shares technical knowledge and advice with democratic parties abroad.

Perhaps in future, DFID might sponsor aid apprentices through VSO on a kind of apprenticeship gap year. Businesses, too, might contribute through social responsibility initiatives, and help to build technical capacity overseas. When apprentices return home to the UK, they will have a proper qualification and will have gained valuable experience, which will help to boost our domestic economy. The gap year is a time-honoured institution. It boosts the confidence of young people before they go to university or start work. Apprenticeship gap years would channel young people's raw energy and enthusiasm into aid projects, and give them structured training.

We live in a multinational world. Working as an apprentice for DHL in Harlow is similar to working as an apprentice for that company in places such as Delhi, Hong Kong and Beijing. If we offered a high-grade apprenticeship, perhaps a level 3 qualification, it would be as well regarded as doing an apprenticeship at home.

The DFID accounts show that in 2009, we spent £356 million on "innovative approaches to development". That pot of money might be refocused.

Many of my constituents in Harlow earn less than £200 a week. They ask why, at a time of cuts in public spending, we plan to spend so much on foreign aid. That is not an easy question to answer, other than with the moral case. However, if we can show that we are giving young people opportunities that they would never otherwise have, giving them proper qualifications and, on top of that, helping the poorest communities in the world, perhaps my constituents and the British people will welcome aid spending with open arms. A gap year apprenticeship scheme would be similar to the Government's planned national citizen service. It might transform the lives of young people, and give them jobs and opportunities.

This is a matter not just of economic efficiency but of social justice. We cannot help everyone, but we can look for ways to increase what my hon. Friend the Member for East Hampshire (Damian Hinds) recently called the gross world product, or GWP, which benefits everybody, including the United Kingdom.

As I have said, there are pots of money in DFID, such as the spending on "innovative approaches to development", that could be used to deliver this policy. I hope the Minister will consider this idea and the benefits it might bring to young people across the British isles and to our neighbours overseas".

During the Minister's (Alan Duncan) speech, I also made the following intervention:

"I thank my right hon. Friend for giving way and for his remarks on the international citizen service. However, will he give real incentives to companies, particularly multinational companies, to ensure that the service offers real apprenticeships for people to work overseas in the countries we have discussed?

Mr Duncan responded:

"I am grateful to my hon. Friend for raising that point, because one of the important thrusts of DFID under the coalition Government is that we want far greater engagement from the private sector, both in the delivery of development and in the likes of the apprenticeship scheme he is describing. So, the answer is yes—that is exactly the direction in which we want to go. That is why my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development is setting up a specific, bespoke private sector section within DFID, to ensure that the private sector can be a real engine for development in the years ahead".

 You can read the full debate HERE.

Sunday Update

Well, you have seen what I have been up to in Parliament this week, so I thought I would give you a brief update as to my Harlow activities over the past few days.

Overseas Aid: Following my speech in the House of Commons on World Poverty, it was good to meet with local representatives from RESULTS (the overseas development charity group), to discuss supporting the disabled in the developing world.

Harlow College: I visited a catering course for special needs pupils. It was great to be in the kitchen, chatting to all the students. My only regret was not being able to be able to be there at lunchtime, when I could have tasted all the delicious burgers that everyone was making. I also gave out a second round of award certificates to students who had completed the B.A. Hons with journalism.

Essex Police: In Chelmsford I had an important meeting with the Chief Constable of Essex. I wanted to discuss a range of issues including police resources, high crime rates in Harlow, Special Constables and Government plans for elected police commissioners. It was a productive conversation.

Patient-line: An interview with Heart FM, also in Chelmsford to discuss and push forward my campaign against the high cost of patient lines.

PACT: Travelling back to Harlow, I was really pleased to meet with PACT, to talk about their plans to increase educational provision in Harlow. I hope to work with the parents to help on their ideas of setting up a local school for autistic children.

Berecroft: A meeting with the Berecroft Steering Group, to discuss implementation of the new roofs - to be built by Circle Anglia. There are some difficult issues here, although there is some progress. I will be contacting residents over the next few days to set out details.

Essex Council Transport Team: In my campaign for an extra junction on the M11, I met with a senior officer from Essex Council and Councillor Norman Hume - in advance of my Adjournment Debate on this subject later.

Michael Roberts Charitable Trust: Attended this remarkable charity's AGM and gave a speech. It was good to be at Harefield Church for the event, with so many of the charity's supporters, clients and volunteers.

Harlow Civic Service: This was the third year of a very special service, based on the theme of thanksgiving. I was pleased to have the chance to give an Address, alongside Council Leader Andrew Johnson, Chief Executive Malcolm Morley and Industrial Chaplain, Reverend Robert Findlay. I will post my address on a later blog.

Harlowbury School: This was really great fun. Vanda and I were invited to open their music festival in the school grounds. Surrounded by parents, children, picnics, barbecues, a beer tent, tea stands, and superb bands (all performing free of charge) , it was a superb way to spend an afternoon. I was so touched as I received a wonderful picture from some of the children, which will go proudly on my office wall in the House of Commons.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Global Poverty: Does charity begin at home?

On Thursday, I spoke in a Commons debate on World Poverty. I set out what I perceive to be three principles for overseas development: Bilateral Aid, Know How and Transparency.
My argument was that charity does begin at home, but there were moral boundaries as well as geographical ones.

As I was the last speaker before the closing speeches from the Labour and Government frontbenchers, I only had a few minutes to speak in the debate and thought you might like to see my speech below:

Robert Halfon (Harlow) (Con) 1 July 2010 : Column 1095:

Some sceptics say that charity begins at home and use that argument to resist spending on international aid. I agree that charity begins at home, but it depends how one defines the word "home". There are geographic boundaries but there are also moral boundaries, and we are all neighbours. Just because someone lives thousands of miles away does not mean that the moral boundaries are any different. We should be building bridges, not walls. When aid is well spent, it is hugely in the national interest. I know that the Secretary of State is aware of that, as he came to my constituency before the election and met the paralympian Anne Wafula Strike, who does so much work with Africa. However, for aid to work we need three things-more bilateral aid, more know-how and more transparency.

I believe that aid must cut out the middle man. For example, why do we often give aid through the EU, for the EU to distribute? Why do we not give it directly? Why not give more aid directly to schools and other community institutions? The localism for which we yearn here is yearned for abroad as well. As the policy paper "One World Conservatism" states, when aid is well spent, it

"has worked miracles: eliminating smallpox, almost eradicating polio...helping get millions of children into school and saving millions of families from hunger and disease."

The best form of aid is sharing expertise and knowledge-know-how. Many of my hon. Friends spoke about Project Umubano in Rwanda, which I have been privileged to go on for two years to teach English. People are hungry not only for food and work but for knowledge. Voluntary Service Overseas does a huge amount to share concrete practical skills. The Westminster Foundation for Democracy, with which I worked a few years ago in Uganda and Tanzania through the Conservative party, shares knowledge with democratic parties abroad. All the evidence shows that greater democracy means less poverty. By democracy, I mean not just regular elections but the rule of law and property rights. Perhaps in future, as part of the sharing of expertise, businesses could sponsor aid apprentices through their social responsibility initiatives to build up technical capacity overseas.

On transparency, we need a much clearer idea of where our money is going. When Hillary Clinton pledged hundreds of millions of dollars in new aid to Palestine in 2009, she said that it must not benefit Hamas. Why? Because she knew that aid to the Palestinian Authority had ended up in the wrong hands in the past. That is just one of many examples from around the world, but it proves that transparency must be at the heart of what we do and what we demand from our partners.

That is why the revolution in open government is welcome. Taxpayers ought to be able to track overseas aid on the internet from the moment it is allocated to the moment the results are delivered. I also welcome the proposal in "One World Conservatism" for the £40 million "MyAid" fund, which would be controlled by taxpayers, because it would introduce popular competition among aid projects and increase democratic control.

Bilateral aid, know-how and transparency must be our watchwords in reducing global poverty. Now that we are united in our coalition, I should like to conclude by quoting a Liberal. Gladstone said:

"Nothing that is morally wrong can be politically right."

I agree. Helping our neighbours overseas is morally and politically right, and it will ensure that the British Isles continue to be a beacon of light and hope for the most vulnerable in our world.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Redressing the balance

I have just done a short interview on BBC 24 TV News, about the tragic events in the Middle East today. As always with such events, there has been somewhat of a one-sided view that has emanated from sections of the media.

Like any human being, I mourn the tragic loss of life and the injuries sustained by those on the ship - including the Israeli Navy Officers. I also believe that the Israeli authorities should ensure that the UK Foreign Office has full access to any British citizens caught up in the affair. An impartial independent inquiry will help to understand exactly what really occurred.

However, it is important to set out some important facts:

• The Israeli Navy offered the Flotilla the chance to unload in Ashdod, which was refused;
• When the Israeli navy boarded the ship, they were attacked by individuals with a range of weapons;
• The Flotilla was organised by the Islamist group IHH - a body that has close ties to extreme Islamists and is part of the global Jihad movement;
• A million tonnes of humanitarian supplies have entered Gaza from Israel from January 2009 to May 2010;
• Over the past two years Hamas have taken part in countless attacks on aid shipments into Gaza, including the hijacking of aid convoys for the use of Hamas fighters rather than Gaza citizens.
• Gaza's border includes Egypt as well as Israel. Egypt mounts a full blockade against Gaza not allowing any aid trucks through at all. Yet no one complains about this.
  
  

My final point is this: If a ship had entered British waters, insisted on docking anywhere, and had refused to stop, the British Navy would have boarded it in moments. This wasn't in Britain, but on the waters outside Gaza, which is governed by the Hamas Terrorist organisation. For years, Hamas have smuggled millions of dollars of weaponry (from Iran) into the Gaza strip to be used in attacks against Israel. Over 6,000 missiles have been fired from Gaza onto Israeli towns, since the unilateral Israeli withdrawal in 2004.

P.S. You can read more details HERE.

P.P.S. The pictures shows me with David Amess MP in the Israeli Town of Sderot (on the Gaza border) in 2009. We are holding the remains of missiles, fired from Gaza onto Israel by Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

by Robert Halfon - www.roberthalfon.blogspot.com

Read this about Haiti

Following my earlier blog about the tragedy in Haiti, I would recommend you reading this excellent article from David Brooks in the New York Times.

Also worth looking at is an important piece in The Wall Street Journal.

Both articles provide food for thought and make the case for a different approach for aid.