Part 1 of this article promised to "present some of the problems and controversies of the past surrounding U.S. foreign assistance and some of the responses to these latest developments." An extensive discussion of the problems and controversies has been prepared as a download (http://catholicsofpleasanton.org/sj-controversies.pdf). In keeping with the purposes of this newsletter only a set of questions will be presented followed by a list of resources concerning assistance to developing countries. The questions are intentionally provocative "either or" questions representing diametrically opposing views. Many readers may be more satisfied with answers that lie somewhere between the two extremes. You are invited to express your views to socialjustice@catholicsofpleasanton.org.

The Questions

1.  Is it a good idea for the U.S. to undertake a major reform of foreign assistance, or is it a bad idea? Is there any chance that the current session of Congress will tackle this question?
2. Should the U.S. government undertake to relieve global hunger and poverty and help very needy countries to develop economically and socially, or should the government leave this work to private charitable and humanitarian organizations - or, perhaps, to international organizations such as the United Nations World Food Program and World Health Organization?
3. Should U.S. foreign assistance be aimed primarily at promoting the economic and security interests of the U.S., or should it be aimed at promoting the well-being and human dignity of all people?
4. Should the U.S. either unilaterally or through organizations such as the UN Security Council or NATO engage in military intervention to aid victims of violence, or should the U.S. follow a policy of non-violence when the U.S. itself is not being attacked?

Rather than present responses to the policy developments described in the January issue of this newsletter we will list some valuable Internet resources concerning aid to developing countries:

"Policy Framework for Foreign Assistance Reform" from the Committee on International Justice and Peace of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/international/2009-05-14-foreign-assistance-reform-adopted.pdf

Catholics Confront Global Poverty, http://www.usccb.org/sdwp/globalpoverty

Center for Global Development, http://cgdev.org

Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network, http://modernizingforeignassistance.net/

"Aiding Development: Assistance Reform for the 21st Century", a report from the Brookings Institution, http://www.brookings.edu/reports/2011/02_aiding_development.aspx

Bread for the World's 2011, 2010, and 2009 Hunger Reports and access to 20 sections of the 2011 report dealing with 20 important issues, http://hungerreport.org/issues