Bush Gearing Up to Combat Poverty

Laura Bush Traveling to Africa to Support AIDS Program

Jun 1, 2007 Sandra Williams

30 million has been proposed to combat AIDS globally. Bush is also addressing poverty,human rights and health issues such as malaria and educational programs.

Bush is gearing up for next week’s summit with Group 8 industrialized nations in Germany by offering to double the previous funding for programs to combat AIDS. In 2003, 15 million was committed for AIDS over a five-year term. That term is expiring next year, so 30 million has been proposed for the following five years.

• While it is a noble gesture and will aid in promoting a more compassionate image, Paul Zeitz the executive director for Global Aids Alliance welcomes the support but does not seem impressed. He is hoping the next president will be able to offer more. "Candidates for US President should also not accept the Bush plan, but rather base their own proposals on what is really needed. They should do what the President seemed to do but did not, that is, propose a doubling of US spending to reach about $50 billion, galvanizing an even greater global response.” said Zeitz.

• First Lady Laura Bush will be traveling to Africa to support the program from June 25 to the 29th. The AIDS program focuses on 15 countries, 12 of which are in Africa. The other two countries are Vietnam and Guyana. The first lady also went to Africa in 2005 to show her commitment to helping people in Africa.

• Group 8 representatives are attempting to finalize a statement on Africa, but experts on poverty are not holding their breath and are skeptical that promises will be kept. If you are interested in letting the Group 8 leaders know you want them to keep their promises on poverty, AIDS, health and education, you can sign the petition here. The petition from Global Aids Alliance calls for real action on AIDS and education by demanding universal access to AIDS services, a coordinated plan to strengthen health systems and full funding for education so all children can go to school.

Bush has been working hard at focusing on other issues that he’s not as likely to be criticized for such as combating poverty and addressing human rights. He has also expressed an interest in combating malaria and contributing towards educational programs in developing world countries.

Also mentioned on his agenda was the desire to initiate stronger sanctions on Sudan by forcing them to co-operate with United Nations peacekeeping forces to end the violence. Being forced to end violence sounds possibly violent, but it has been suggested nonetheless.

References: Global Aids Alliance

Washington Post (Will Dunham, May 31st 2007)

New York Times (Sheryl Gay Stolberg, May 31st, 2007)

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