The Future of Partnerships

In order to build on the success the American people�s partnerships have achieved to date, on May 30, 2007, President Bush proposed to work with Congress to provide an additional $30 billion to fight HIV/AIDS globally over the next five years � doubling the initial $15 billion USG commitment. The President also proposed new goals � supporting nations in providing treatment to 2.5 million people, preventing 12 million new infections, and caring for 12 million people, including five million OVCs.

Challenged by the U.S. commitment, in June the G-8 nations committed $60 billion collectively to support HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria programs in the coming years. The other leaders also agreed to join the U.S. in supporting country-owned, national programs to meet specific, numerical HIV/AIDS goals, which are exactly twice those proposed by the President.

The people of severely affected nations have accomplished so much in their fight against HIV/AIDS, and the American people are privileged to partner with them as we work to change the world. This partnership between peoples is founded in a profound sense of the dignity and worth of every human life, creating a relationship of mutual respect and trust � in other words, friendship.

Through this partnership, people of distant lands have a new window into the hearts of Americans. They know what we stand for, when we stand with them.

We too have a new window into the hearts, cultures and abilities of our global brothers and sisters. While poor in resources, these distant lands are rich in some of the most talented, dedicated and compassionate people in the world. Those whom we think have nothing, give everything they have and everything of themselves for others. We are partnering with many thousands of heroes, and even a few saints.

Finally, as President Bush has said, the new era of development is good for our national character, our national soul. When we base our policies and politics in the dignity and worth of every human life and dedicate ourselves to the service of others, we are dignified and have a great dignity of purpose.

This noble � and ennobling � work has only just begun. Working together through the power of partnerships, everything is possible.

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