Global aid visions and local realities

We must understand that INGOs treat the symptoms but not the disease.

As Harry Truman was preparing for his 1949 inaugural address as the first elected president after the Second World War, his speechwriters faced a challenge in finding an inspiring theme. However, someone in his team suggested “development”, and thus brought international development into the spotlight to combat global poverty. Although initially a public relations tactic, the idea gained widespread support and set the stage for a significant global initiative in the years to come.