MFAN Event Recap: “The New Middle East: Can Foreign Assistance Bolster the Arab Spring?”

By: Staff Person
July 25, 2011

On Thursday, July 21, MFAN and Foreign Policy magazine co-hosted, “The New Middle East: Can Foreign Assistance Bolster the Arab Spring?” The event explored how the U.S. should leverage foreign assistance to protect and advance nascent democratic trends in the Arab world. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Tamara Cofman Wittes gave a keynote speech, followed by panel discussion…

USGLC Annual Conference Round-Up-Part 1

By: Staff Person
July 18, 2011

MFAN Partner the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition hosted its annual Washington conference last week with a day-long forum that focused on the economic link between development and U.S. leadership and growth. “Investing in the Future: A Smart Power Approach to Global Leadership” brought together high-ranking government officials like Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, General James Cartwright, former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, and World Bank President Robert Zoellick, among others to discuss how employing our smart power tools—diplomacy and development—can enhance our economic prosperity at home while bolstering our image abroad.

Raj Shah Hosts Session on Youth and International Development at the White House

By: Staff Person
July 8, 2011

USAID Administrator Raj Shah answered questions from young Americans at the White House on Thursday afternoon. In a discussion moderated by Kalpen Modi, Associate Director of the Office of Public Engagement, Administrator Shah highlighted a number of USAID’s priorities. He spoke about accountability under USAID Forward, Feed the Future as a driver of self-sufficiency, and … Continue reading Raj Shah Hosts Session on Youth and International Development at the White House

MFAN & Management Sciences for Health on Performance-Based Financing

By: Staff Person
June 2, 2011

On Wednesday morning, MFAN co-hosted an event with Partner Management Sciences for Health (MSH) examining the impacts and implementation of performance-based financing (PBF) for global health services. A panel of experts, moderated by MSH performance-based finance Advisor Kathy Kantengwa, discussed the thinking behind PBF and shared some success stories. More efficient HIV/AIDS programming in Rwanda … Continue reading MFAN & Management Sciences for Health on Performance-Based Financing

USAID Releases 2011 Annual Letter

By: Staff Person
April 5, 2011

The letter then runs through three sections that make the case for reform and explain how USAID fits into the broad range of U.S. development efforts. The first section, “The Modern Development Enterprise”, begins with Shah writing about his experience in Haiti. He notes, “Crises often bring clarity—a sense of urgency that leaves no room for hesitation or red tape…As USAID staff launched the largest humanitarian relief and search-and-rescue efforts in history, the speed, skill and dedication they showed was awe-inspiring. They responded quickly, overcame bureaucratic hurdles, worked inclusively with a broad range of partners and made smart, calculated choices to get better outcomes.”

USAID, MCC Budget Hearing Seeped in Partisan Bickering

By: Staff Person
March 21, 2011

Chairman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL) remained above the fray, kicking off the hearing with some promising comments about the need to emphasize partnerships with the private sector and be more accountable with our aid dollars—with the ultimate goal of promoting economic growth. Ranking Member Howard Berman (D-CA) hit on some important reform principles both USAID and MCC have implemented into programs and policies whether those principles are about emphasizing science and technology as part of USAID Forward or embracing transparency and accountability with MCC compacts. Berman said the committee should be focused on ensuring that every tax dollar is put to best possible use but that doesn’t mean we should cut foreign assistance funding.

MFAN-WTW-AJWS Celebrate International Women’s Day

By: Staff Person
March 10, 2011

Deputy Administrator for USAID Don Steinberg provided a keynote address in which he spoke about the agency’s efforts to integrate gender policy across all programs. Acknowledging the changing landscape—with the creation of UN Women and recent commitments from President Obama and Secretary Clinton— and the growing awareness of the consequences for excluding women and girls from society, Steinberg said this was a time for action. Some of the action steps USAID has taken include: requiring a gender impact statement on all projects, mandatory training, a code of conduct for trafficking, and the creation of two senior positions for gender empowerment. After listing these steps, Steinberg said the agency is committed to making sure these gains “deepen and are irreversible” adding, “These are non-negotiable requirements for lasting peace and stability—not pet rocks in a rucksack.”

Secretary Clinton Defends FY’12 Budget Request to HFAC

By: Staff Person
March 2, 2011

“The United States provides foreign assistance because it serves our interests. Helping countries become more democratic, more stable, more capable of defending themselves and better at pulling themselves out of poverty is just as important for us, our national security and our economic prosperity as it is for them.”

MFAN Statement: Budget Landscape Increases Urgency of Foreign Assistance Reform

By: Staff Person
February 14, 2011

As Congress begins debate this week on funding the government for the remainder of 2011, we support current spending levels in the international affairs budget. Foreign assistance is not a nice-to-have perk in a world where complex challenges defy narrow solutions; it is a must-have pillar of our foreign policy alongside diplomacy and defense. In addition, now more than ever, foreign assistance reform must move forward, in order to make sure we can get the most out of every dollar we spend on development.