One of the major issues in international development is how to assure that the benefits of globalization reach the poor.  There is fear that efforts to promote openness to trade, investment, and information flows not only will not benefit the poor in developing countries but also may further marginalize them.  One reason is the quickening pace of change.  Rapidly accelerating improvements in information and communications technology, access to knowledge, and financial innovation have, in a very short period of time, vastly increased the extent to which most of the world has become part of one global community.  Whether that community is to include the poor is the question at hand. 

The objective of this paper is to take a fresh look at the phenomenon of globalization, the implications it may have for the well-being of the poor, and what actions can be taken to ensure that the poor are its beneficiaries and not its victims.  The paper examines the experience of two sub Sahran African countries in which USAID has championed openness to trade, investment, and information flows- Ghana and Uganda - and identifies specific actions which have been taken or can be taken to increase access by the poor to the benefits of greater openness and to lessen or mitigate any adverse consequences that globalization might have on the poor.

Final report