Living in a state as highly dependent on international trade as ours, Washingtonians are well-aware of the importance of maintaining good relations with our global neighbors. Not only is it a smart thing to do economically, it’s also the right thing to do.
At the company’s annual shareholders meeting, Starbucks’ CEO Howard Schultz noted, “Not every decision in business is an economic one.” Schultz reinforced that Starbucks’ social mission is especially important at “a time when hate and violence, both at home and abroad, threaten our shared values.”
Global Washington members share this vision of remaining true to our highest values in a world that is increasingly interconnected and interdependent.
“Even when we put a premium on taking care of needs at home, the United States can’t opt out of the world,” said Oxfam America’s policy and advocacy manager, David Saldivar.
Despite sometimes considerable differences in world views, we recognize our shared humanity and are united in the belief that where you are born should not dictate your life’s opportunities.
“As an immigrant and as a CEO, I’ve both experienced and seen the positive impact that immigration has on our company, for the country, and for the world,” said Microsoft’s CEO, Satya Nadella
University of Washington president, Ana Mari Cauce similarly reflected on her immigrant experience and how it shaped her values:
“When I arrived to this country in 1959 it was as a political refugee from Cuba. I then became an immigrant on a ‘green card’ and fifteen years later, a U.S. citizen proud to commit to the values that have made this country great…”
The University of Washington, one of the oldest universities on the West Coast, is the second largest source of college volunteers to the Peace Corps. And not only do Washington state colleges send young people abroad, they also enroll thousands of international students. In 2014, the UW welcomed 7,300 students from other countries. Similarly, Seattle University’s international student program includes 865 students from 51 countries.
As development practitioners, Global Washington members are acutely aware of our interconnectedness. When Bill Gates met with President Trump in Washington, D.C., in March, according to a statement from The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, he highlighted the importance of foreign aid:
“Foreign aid protects Americans, strengthens markets and saves lives. It’s one of the best returns on investment in government, and leads to a more stable and safe world.”
Today the world faces its largest humanitarian crisis since the founding of the United Nations, with more than 20 million people across four countries currently at risk of starvation and famine. Now is not the time to pull back from global engagement.
“[F]or the last three decades, successive Republican and Democratic administrations have funded 28 percent of global humanitarian responses worldwide with just one cent of every taxpayer dollar,” wrote Neal Keny-Guyer, Mercy Corps’ CEO, in an email. “Our commitments have made the world more equal and prosperous, helping millions of people lift themselves out of poverty and find dignity even amidst disaster.
Richard Stearns, president of World Vision, also believes that our country continues to have an important role to play on the national stage:
“I believe America has as much to contribute to the world as it ever has in history,” Stearns said. “We have the chance to remind people in their worst moments what’s best about us as a nation. We can show our greatness by setting an example for the rest of the world in our compassion and respect for human rights.”
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We believe in building global alliances with businesses, governments, and civil society to effect lasting change.
We believe in democracy and creating a healthier, more prosperous, and equitable world.
We believe in a Global Washington.
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READ MORE statements from our members about the importance of remaining globally engaged:
- Landesa: “Landesa believes that our world’s biggest challenges can only be solved if we embrace solutions together, as a global community. Global aid helps create opportunity and stability for all – from small rural farms in India and Myanmar to our own backyard. Investing in global change helps seeds powerful solutions that can be used as models. Over the last several decades, Landesa has grown from a small group of lawyers based in Seattle to an organization with staff around the globe. Both personally and professionally, we are all stronger for our interconnectedness and our diversity.”
- Linksbridge: “As a social purpose corporation, we are driven and motivated by societal impact more than by revenue or profit. We recognize the significant contributions that individuals from many countries make to business, to global health, to economic development, and to improving the human condition around the world, and we condemn discrimination in all its forms. As such, we call upon like-minded organizations to redouble their efforts and commitments to supporting and strengthening the important civil society institutions that reinforce and strengthen our communities.”
- Moving Worlds: “Global connections foster innovation and help create a safer, sustainable, and more prosperous world for all.”
- The Northwest School: “In today’s interconnected world, a global perspective is an educational imperative. The Northwest School is committed to providing students with a global perspective; students who are equipped to think and act with integrity and strive to positively impact the world. We attract students from all over the world and value their membership in our community and we welcome families of all cultures and beliefs.”
- Planned Parenthood: “The U.S. government has supported global family planning and reproductive health efforts for 50 years and is the largest donor to family planning and reproductive health in the world, giving a total of $608 million in 2016. S. foreign funding is vital for millions of women and girls globally to access lifesaving reproductive health care, and cutting funding for voluntary family planning, maternal health and gender equity programs endangers their health and threatens human rights. Planned Parenthood is the nation’s leading provider and advocate of high-quality, affordable health care for women, men, and young people, as well as the nation’s largest provider of sex education. Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands (PPGNHI) draws upon our expertise as the Northwest’s leading provider of sexual and reproductive health services and comprehensive sexuality education to build the capacity of partner organizations around the world. Since 2001, we have partnered with eight organizations across seven focus countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, we advance the health and rights of young people, women and families, with an emphasis on the most vulnerable and underserved. We believe that sexual and reproductive rights are basic human rights and that everyone should have access to quality health care.” – Chris Charbonneau, CEO of Planned Parenthood of the Great Northwest and the Hawaiian Islands
- Sahar: “What people don’t know about, they fear. Yet education can encourage people to question their own preconceived notions and biases, and help them resist discrimination against others. We must continue to stand firm in support of women’s opportunities globally. Women’s rights are human rights.” – Ginna Brelsford, executive director of Sahar Education.
- SSG Advisors: “[The proposed budget cuts to the Foreign Assistance Program] would significantly undermine efforts to combat terrorism, distribute critical humanitarian aid, and promote opportunities for American workers – putting millions of people around the world at risk.” – James Bernard, director of strategic partnerships, SSG Advisors.
- VillageReach: “The U.S. plays a critical role in ensuring resources to steward innovation where it’s needed most. Investing in global health and development ensures economic stability and security which is vital to innovation – at home and abroad.” – Evan Simpson, president, VillageReach.