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'Core values' to combat poverty UK hints at foreign policy shift
(about 3 hours later)
A British minister has called for "core values" of "opportunity, responsibility and justice" to tackle global poverty. A subtle change of emphasis in British foreign policy has been signalled by the International Development Secretary, Douglas Alexander.
Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, said isolationism "simply does not work in an interdependent world". In a speech in Washington he said nations had to build new alliances and reach out to the world.
He delivered his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington DC. He said a country's strength should not be measured by its military might.
He said: "There is no security or prosperity at home unless we deal with... security, globalisation, climate change, disease and poverty." BBC correspondent James Westhead said the speech was significant as it appeared to suggest Britain distancing itself from President Bush.
Mr Alexander, who is seen as one of Gordon Brown's closest allies, said "empowering women must be a priority for us all". In his speech at the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, Mr Alexander said isolationism "simply does not work in an interdependent world".
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. 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.
"Access to better - and safer - sexual and reproductive health resources are essential." Mr Alexander also called for "core values" of "opportunity, responsibility and justice" to tackle global poverty.
Increasing urbanisation "In the 20th century a country's might was too often measured in what they could destroy. In the 21st century strength should be measured by what we can build together," he said.
He also said the changing patterns of travel and work were having "a profound effect socially and economically on the world's poor". Our place in the world depends on us making choices based on values - values like opportunity, responsibility, justice Douglas Alexander
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. "And so we must form new alliances, based on common values, ones not just to protect us from the world, but ones which reach out to the world.
"This population growth increasingly means urbanisation. This year, for the first time in human history, half the world's population lives in cities. "There is no security or prosperity at home unless we deal with the global challenges of security, globalisation, climate change, disease and poverty.
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 Alexander
"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.
"Multilateralist, not unilateralist means a rules-based international system. Just as we need the rule of law at home to have civilization so we need rules abroad to ensure global civilization."
Core values
Mr Alexander, who is seen as one of Gordon Brown's closest allies, also 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.
Douglas Alexander delivered the speech in Washington DC
"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. He called for nations to follow the international rule of law, work together through organisations like the UN and adopt policies that reach out to the world, not just protect themselves, our correspondent added.
Our correspondent said: "Some observers have interpreted this as a coded criticism of a president seen by some as high-handed and unilateralist."
But Mr Alexander stressed to the BBC that Gordon Brown had already spoken to the president and was committed to a strong and effective dialogue.