The recent breakthroughs in technology, computer science and transportation have forever changed the proportion of distances among the countries that share the planet, transforming the world to make it, let us say, a bit smaller. Challenges such as the need to develop a sustainable economy, preserve the environment and effectively fight against drug trafficking, terrorism, poverty and injustice, are matters that concern each and every one of us. Moreover, product and capital interdependence created by these advances have had a deep impact on the global and local economies.
The phenomenon of economic and commercial globalization has noticeably increased the competitive and exellence standards needed not only to be successful, but to survive as well. Most developed and developing countries assign economic and human resources to increase their competitiveness, searching for new opportunities to grow, develop and aim for a better life.
The nautre of this new world economy has made more evident the need for collaboration and union among the nations of the world. International organizations and associations for economic integration and development have been created to join efforts in order to become more effective in the search for answers to the problems shared by humanity. These international entities fund programs and conduct studies for the benefit of the countries that, due to their lack of economic, personal and analytical resources, could not hope to carry out independently.
Throughout most of our history, Puerto Rico has been excluded from the international economic market. Although some may argue that it was a justifiable strategy at one point in our history, it is outdated and counterproductive to the well-being of our people. U.S. influence on the Puerto Rican market and the resulting economic benefits certainly were indispensable for launching and then sustaining ascending economic growth in a country that had just begun to overcome abject poverty. The economic advantages of this relationship and the certainty that our national interests were defended by the United States along with its own led to an isolationist mentality that has had a pernicious effect on our political and social development.
As a country concerned about its future, we must not allow a narrow political discourse to restrict our ability and need to become a member of the world community and take part in the new global economy. Any genuinely progressive mind acknowledges this fact. Our government is determined to develop the necessary institutional structures to enable its human resources to lead efforts in safeguarding the interests of Puerto Rico in the international economy of today and tomorrow.
The next step now needs to be taken by the country's political leadership as it leaves behind the partisan struggles to join forces to put Puerto Rico on the same plane with other global competitors. Our future and well-being as a nation depend on it.
