Former MSU President M. Peter McPherson will be one of the four national leaders in a roundtable discussion Wednesday morning in Washington to discuss the nation's role in international affairs.

The panel, consisting of national security experts, business leaders and members of Congress, will discuss how diplomatic and development programs funded by the U.S. International Affairs Budget aid global stability and economic prosperity.

Other speakers include U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., former U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge and U.S. Sen. Rick Santorum, R-Pa.

The International Affairs Budget provides funding to carry out U.S. foreign policy. This funding supports the worldwide operations of the state department, maintaining effective American representation at embassies and posts in foreign countries, said campaign spokeswoman Holly Barnes.

The organization selected McPherson as a representative in the discussion because of his involvement with business, administrative and international affairs, said Jason Gross, the coalition's director of government and business affairs.

"He brings his life experience that shows how vital long-term development is in the developing world," Gross said. "Someone with his business background and also a humanitarian background is perfect for this discussion."

McPherson, who worked with the U.S. Agency for International Development in the early '80s, is now a co-chairman of the Partnership to Cut Hunger and Poverty in Africa, which is funded by the International Affairs Budget.

McPherson said he strongly supports the panel because it would help bring attention to some of the international efforts he worked extensively on before his term at MSU.

"Clearly, the U.S. needs to have an effective and strong presence internationally," McPherson said. "I've worked on these programs, and I look forward to being on this panel with a number of people I've worked with for a number of years."