Bread for the World, the Christian-supported international food aid provider, Pope John Paul II and South African Anglican Archbishop Desmond Tutu, among others, are urging wealthy nations to forgive the debt of the world's neediest. One element of Bread for the World's proposal easily recommends itself. It would require countries to use any debt relief savings to establish human development funds. These funds could be used only to expand basic human services, such as nutrition, health care, clean water and sanitation, to the poorest members of any society. Developing countries ought to take a broad view as to what can help the poor.
Economic development can be more important than human services in the long run.
But that view cannot be so broad as to divert debt-forgiveness savings into military spending or to benefit a ruling oligarchy.