Since Administrator Rajiv Shah came on board, USAID has been trying to rebuild itself so it can build stronger partnerships with poor countries and their people. It’s based in the reality of good development, which is that development isn’t something done by USAID—development is done by poor people and poor countries themselves.
Every Thursday, MFAN will post a list of upcoming events for the following week. For more information about each event and to RSVP, click on the links below. If your organization is hosting an event next week and you don’t see yourself on the list, please email info@modernizeaid.net. See below for a list of MFAN … Continue reading Mark Your Calendars — Week of January 9, 2012
The Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) – a coalition of foreign policy experts, international development practitioners, and NGOs dedicated to effective foreign assistance programs – is seeking a motivated intern for the spring semester. MFAN’s learning internships offer an opportunity to explore the nuances of foreign aid reform and U.S. government advocacy.
Last week the Center for American Progress (CAP) published a report, “It All Starts with Training: Crisis Prevention and U.S. Foreign Affairs Agencies,” that explores the need for improved training courses and professional development opportunities at core U.S. foreign affairs agencies. The paper states that “without enhanced training, diplomats will continue to lack the broad range of tools they need to deal with the many complicated and challenging global issues they regularly encounter whether on the ground or back in Washington.” The goal is with improved training, diplomats and development experts can advance democracy, stimulate economic growth, and strengthen the rule of law prior to a possible emerging conflict that could end with direct military conflict.
MFAN partner the Brookings Institution has released a policy brief on the need for aid in fragile states, titled, “Aiding Stability: Improving Foreign Assistance in Fragile States.” Over the last 20 years, donor agencies have sought out partner countries based on critical development needs as well as institutional strength and governance. Fragile states, however, lack … Continue reading Aiding Stability: Brookings Policy Brief Explores Development in Fragile States
Earlier this week, Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX-2) addressed members of the development community about the need for accountability and transparency in U.S. foreign assistance. His speech was part of an event hosted by MFAN partner Oxfam America titled “Be Bold! Risk and Reward in U.S. Foreign Assistance.” Poe spoke about his new bill, The Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act, which currently has 45 bipartisan cosponsors and how he envisions the legislation will help to advance reform and build broad support for providing foreign assistance.
In From Policy to Practice, MFAN argued, “U.S. policy should be guided by modern legislation that codifies a shared Executive-Legislative vision for the U.S. approach to poverty-focused development.” Six months later, two key initiatives in Congress have been released, both of which build on the reform efforts started under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
Every Thursday, MFAN will post a list of upcoming events for the following week. For more information about each event and to RSVP, click on the links below. If your organization is hosting an event next week and you don’t see yourself on the list, please email info@modernizeaid.net. See below for a list of MFAN … Continue reading Mark Your Calendars — Week of December 19, 2011
MFAN partner Save the Children has released a report, Afghanistan in Transition, calling for attention to development and governance during the impending withdrawal of U.S. troops, and outlaying recommendations to development and government actors.
A working group within the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars conducted an extensive policy re-evaluation of civilian aid provision to Pakistan in their report Aiding Without Abetting: Making U.S. Civilian Assistance to Pakistan Work for Both Sides. The group “concludes that a robust program of U.S. civilian assistance to Pakistan serves important interests of … Continue reading Wilson Center Releases ‘Aiding Without Abetting’ Report on Effective Aid in Pakistan
