Three Way News

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Friday, April 01, 2005

How we will measure his success?

Paul Wolfowitz, prime architect of our adventure in Iraq, has been confirmed as the new head of the World Bank. His priority is Africa:

Paul Wolfowitz, the new head of the World Bank, has said his main goal will be to achieve "real success" in cutting poverty, particularly in Africa.

Mr Wolfowitz was confirmed as the new head of the World Bank on Thursday after winning crucial European support. ...

The US deputy defence secretary said he wanted his legacy to be "real success in reducing poverty especially in Africa, the continent which most desperately needs it".

A laudable goal, but let's agree now on how to measure whether Wolfowitz succeeds or fails. I know nothing about solving poverty issues in Africa, or anywhere else, for that matter. But I do know you can measure human suffering by counting the parents who lose their children to hunger and disease; by families that lose their homes to look for food and work; by countries that descend to chaos for lack of personal security and hope for the future.

According to Wiki, the per capita GDP for Sudan was less than $1,000 in 1999. Inflation was at 20% and the GDP was growing at only 3%. Ten years from now, I won't care too much whether inflation is a bit lower or the GDP is growing a bit faster.

I will care if infant mortality has fallen. From 1960 to 2002 infant mortality in Sudan fell from 21% to 9%. That's actually a great improvement compared to countries like Nigeria, Niger, and Sierra Leone. Let's keep the children alive, first, then teach them to read, then get them good jobs.

4 Comments:

I’m very excited about this. The people of Africa are going to welcome us with flowers and the revenue generated by the export of ivory, diamonds and bush meat will more than cover the expense of the whole operation. I don’t see World Bank involvement in Africa lasting more than about 6 months.

By Anonymous, at 6:00 PM

I do not advocate any harm against any elected official. Still, I can think of about 425 pounds of Bush meat that can be exported from this country to the benefit of all her citizens.

By Hammer, at 7:40 PM