Jono Quick, President & CEO of Management Sciences for Health writes about the importance of local ownership in development saying that, “Development resources, strategically invested and wisely managed, can build local systems that have a large scale, lasting impact.”
When evaluating the national security of the Atlantic nations, a strong defense clearly counts; an active diplomacy counts; and, equally clearly, reducing poverty, enhancing democratic participation, and providing hope for the future – which go by the name “international development” – also counts. London’s newly created National Security Council reflects all foreign policy elements of national security. It’s time for similar clarity in Washington.
MFAN Principal, former USAID Administrator, and current dean of the Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs J. Brian Atwood hosted renowned Peruvian economist Hernando de Soto as part of the University of Minnesota’s “Great Conversations” series last week. You can listen to the conversation here. De Soto’s perspective on the global economic crisis and the importance of … Continue reading MFAN Principal Hosts Hernando de Soto
The release of the new strategy should also tee up long-awaited announcements about the outcome of the Presidential Study Directive on U.S. Global Development Policy (PSD) and the findings of the State-USAID Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR). Let’s hope the 2010 National Security Strategy gets the development policy ball rolling.”
“Instead of losing ground on one front in order to gain on another, we should explore creative methods to finance all the work that needs to be done by demanding a stronger commitment from global leaders and the US Congress. More broadly, we must support the Foreign Assistance Revitalization and Accountability Act (S. 1524) introduced in July 2009. The bill promotes global development, good governance, and a reduction of poverty and hunger. Specifically, the passage of S. 1524 will rebuild and strengthen strategic planning and human resources at USAID; address USAID operating expenses; increase accountability and transparency in US foreign assistance; and improve development coordination in the field.”
MFAN Partner CARE, a leading humanitarian organization fighting poverty worldwide, is holding its National Conference and Celebration today and tomorrow in Washington, DC. The conference is an opportunity for CARE supporters to meet and discuss issues affecting global poverty, as well as a call to action for Congress and the Obama Administration to prioritize these … Continue reading Sec. Clinton Speaks at CARE National Conference
“In practical terms, elevating development, as Secretary Clinton has pledged to do, means providing the USAID administrator autonomy over policy, program and budget decision-making sufficient to get the biggest bang for our development bucks. Of course this is not an entitlement for the agency. As with other agencies, we should set the bar high for USAID and expect to see — and measure — strong performance and results, with programs and resources scaled up or down accordingly.”
“This is a time to be bolder, to reach beyond our comfort zone, and to be imaginative about how we can work better, cheaper, and faster in the pursuit of high impact development.”
Two MFAN Principals – Jim Kolbe, Senior Transatlantic Fellow, German Marshall Fund, and Carol Peasley, President, Center for Population & Development Activities – put out their thoughts on the heated policy debate and what it will take to keep reform moving forward.
In the speech, Administrator Shah strongly endorsed elevating development as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy and empowering it as a distinct discipline that requires unique resources and authority. Citing the fact that global hunger and extreme poverty have increased in recent years, Administrator Shah issued a call for reform of his Agency and America’s development apparatus overall, in order to drive more tangible results for recipients, implementers, and taxpayers.
