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'Core values' to combat poverty 'Core values' to combat poverty
(20 minutes later)
A British minister has called for "core values" of "opportunity, responsibility and justice" to tackle global poverty.A British minister has called for "core values" of "opportunity, responsibility and justice" to tackle global poverty.
Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, said isolationism "simply does not work in an interdependent world".Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, said isolationism "simply does not work in an interdependent world".
He delivered his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC.He delivered his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC.
He said: "There is no security or prosperity at home unless we deal with... security, globalisation, climate change, disease and poverty."He said: "There is no security or prosperity at home unless we deal with... security, globalisation, climate change, disease and poverty."
Mr Alexander, who is seen as one of Gordon Brown's closest allies, said "empowering women must be a priority for us all".Mr Alexander, who is seen as one of Gordon Brown's closest allies, said "empowering women must be a priority for us all".
He said: "The economic, social and political position of women in many countries is actively preventing us from reducing child and maternal mortality, and stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS. He said: "The economic, social and political position of women in many countries is actively preventing us from reducing child and maternal mortality, and stopping the spread of HIV/Aids.
"Access to better - and safer - sexual and reproductive health resources are essential.""Access to better - and safer - sexual and reproductive health resources are essential."
Increasing urbanisationIncreasing urbanisation
He also said the changing patterns of travel and work were having "a profound effect socially and economically on the world's poor".He also said the changing patterns of travel and work were having "a profound effect socially and economically on the world's poor".
Mr Alexander said: "Between now and 2050, nine countries alone will account for nearly half of the world's population growth. Only one - the US - is in the developed world.Mr Alexander said: "Between now and 2050, nine countries alone will account for nearly half of the world's population growth. Only one - the US - is in the developed world.
"This population growth increasingly means urbanisation. This year, for the first time in human history, half the world's population lives in cities."This population growth increasingly means urbanisation. This year, for the first time in human history, half the world's population lives in cities.
The economic, social and political position of women in many countries is actively preventing us from reducing child and maternal mortality, and stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS Douglas AlexanderThe economic, social and political position of women in many countries is actively preventing us from reducing child and maternal mortality, and stopping the spread of HIV/AIDS Douglas Alexander
"Isolationism simply does not work in an interdependent world."Isolationism simply does not work in an interdependent world.
"We must recognise these challenges and champion an internationalist approach - seeking shared solutions to the problems we face."We must recognise these challenges and champion an internationalist approach - seeking shared solutions to the problems we face.
"We must be driven by core values, not special interests. Our place in the world depends on us making choices based on values - values like opportunity, responsibility, justice.""We must be driven by core values, not special interests. Our place in the world depends on us making choices based on values - values like opportunity, responsibility, justice."
Mr Alexander said winning support for this approach "is not easy" and work must be done to make them "the accepted norm".Mr Alexander said winning support for this approach "is not easy" and work must be done to make them "the accepted norm".
He said: "This means persuading political leaders, indeed community leaders, faith leaders and civic leaders to actively support these principles - whether they are in Europe or the US, China, India or South Africa."He said: "This means persuading political leaders, indeed community leaders, faith leaders and civic leaders to actively support these principles - whether they are in Europe or the US, China, India or South Africa."
Mr Alexander's speech came as the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives defied a White House veto threat and approved legislation to bring combat troops out of Iraq by 1 April 2008 by a vote of 223-201.Mr Alexander's speech came as the Democratic-controlled House of Representatives defied a White House veto threat and approved legislation to bring combat troops out of Iraq by 1 April 2008 by a vote of 223-201.