Vote Now for 2006 Commitment to Development Award

The Center for Global Development and Foreign Policy magazine are soliciting online People's Choice voting for its 2006 Commitment to Development Award. Judged by a distinguished international panel, the annual Commitment to Development Award honors an individual or organization from the rich world who has made a significant contribution to changing attitudes and policies towards the developing world. Nominees this year for People's Choice are Bill and Melinda Gates; Bono; Medecins Sans Frontieres; Global Call to Action Against Poverty; Prof. Jeffrey Sachs; former U.S. President Jimmy Carter; former U.S. President Bill Clinton; Louis Michel; U.S. Rep. Jim Kolbel and Prof. William Easterly. To vote, click here or on the link above in the title.

My vote is for Jimmy Carter. I worked in the White House in his first year in office, and I know how hard and effectively he tried to increase attention to international development. I think he was effective, especially in directing U.S. government programs and in mobilizing civil society in an effort that has continued for decades. He has continued in the effort to promote international development since leaving office, especially through the creation and support of the Carter Center.