POLL SHOWS COMMITMENT TO POVERTY RELIEF

 A June 2005 poll conducted by  the Program on International Policy Attitudes (PIPA) at the University of Maryland and Knowledge Networks concluded that Americans support a greater U.S. commitment to funding  poverty reduction. As the G8 Summit draws near, this represents a nod towards President Bush, giving him the popular support to commit more resources to poverty reduction and development assistance than ever before.

Key findings included:

• 65% of Americans surveyed support the U.S. committing 0.7% GDP to reducing poverty and disease, and promoting economic development in poor countries, especially in Africa – provided that other wealthy countries do so as well.
• 71% of Americans surveyed support the U.S. committing up to $50 per taxpaying household to meet the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 – again provided that other wealthy countries make the same commitment.

This illustrates Americans' generosity  when the burden is shared with partnering countries around the world. Earlier polls tend to show Americans resisting major investments in poverty reduction because they incorrectly assume that other countries are not giving as much as is the United States. When a poll explicitly states that other wealthy nations will be doing their part, Americans are willing to spend substantial amounts to help the world’s poorest countries.

+Click here to read official PIPA article

Last Updated December 15, 2005

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