Noteworthy News – 2.12

By: Staff Person
February 12, 2010

This weekly posting includes key news stories and opinion pieces related to foreign assistance reform and the larger development community.

The Business Case for Foreign Aid Reform

By: Staff Person
February 12, 2010

The Initiative for Global Development, an MFAN partner, has issued a new policy brief making the case for why businesses should care about foreign assistance reform.

MFAN Principals Weigh in on FY 2011 International Affairs Budget

By: Staff Person
February 2, 2010

The global health and humanitarian aid communities are pleased but not thrilled by the Obama administration’s new budget request, which saw modest although lower-than-expected increases in a number of development accounts.

Friday Afternoon Special: Congress Carrying the Flag on Reform

By: Staff Person
January 29, 2010

As officials at the State Department and USAID continue to wrangle over what to do with America’s top development agency, lawmakers are pushing their own ideas for reform. Soon, the State Department could have its first authorization bill since 2002, a policy blueprint that could include significant input from Capitol Hill.

Senator Dick Lugar Delivers a Compelling Argument for Reform

By: Staff Person
January 29, 2010

Last night at the Society for International Development’s annual Washington awards dinner, Senate Foreign Relations Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) and Ranking Minority Member Dick Lugar (R-IN) were honored for their efforts to make U.S. foreign assistance more effective, transparent, and accountable.  USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah honored both Kerry and Lugar with an introductory speech, in … Continue reading Senator Dick Lugar Delivers a Compelling Argument for Reform

President Obama’s State of the Union Address

By: Staff Person
January 28, 2010

In his first State of the Union address last night, President Obama alluded to his campaign pledge to “strengthen our common security by investing in our common humanity.”

MFAN Member Op-Blog: Did Hillary just offer us the “Red Pill?”

By: Staff Person
January 11, 2010

MFAN member and Vice President of Policy & Advocacy at Oxfam America Paul O’Brien weighs in on Secretary Clinton’s visionary development speech last week, reminding us that “development is full of complexity, pain and gritty truths.”