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Reforming Aid: Policy Event

Reforming Aid, Transforming the World:

Using aid effectively to address global challenges

  • Adam Smith

    Adam Smith

  • Kent Hill

    Kent Hill

  • Sophia Belay

    Sophia Belay

  • Paul Weisenfeld

    Paul Weisenfeld

  • Carol Welch

    Carol Welch

Global Washington is pleased to host a special discussion of foreign assistance reform, principles in effectiveness, and the effect of reform on global development work.

This event will feature:

  • U.S. Representative Adam Smith, Co-Chair of The Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance. (Click here for bio)
  • Kent R. Hill, Senior Vice President, International Programs, World Vision United States. (Click here for bio)
  • Sophia Belay, Microinsurance Program Coordinator, Oxfam America  (click here for bio)
  • Paul Weisenfeld, Assistant to the Administrator, Bureau for Food Security, USAID (click here for bio)
  • Carol Welch (Moderator), Senior Program Officer, Global Development Policy and Advocacy, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (click here for bio)

Program

3:30pm: Registration & Networking

4:00-5:00pm: Program

5:30pm: Members-only reception

Even in a challenging economy, many policymakers believe that foreign assistance is an integral part of the U.S. budget. The United States can be a leader in creating a more stable and prosperous world–improving global health, alleviating poverty, and combating injustice. But in order to do so, aid projects must actually be helping. Limited resources must be used as efficiently as possible.

The current drought crisis in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, where 12 million people are in need of assistance and 500,000 are on the brink of starvation, is only the latest in a series of disaster emergencies requiring foreign aid.  Such disasters, both natural and man-made, will no doubt continue.  The US – both through individual donations to aid organizations and through federal foreign assistance – has traditionally responded with emergency relief and assistance.  However, an increasingly overextended public, both as individual donors and as taxpayers, need to be reassured that aid is both effective and efficient.

The Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance was created “to examine the way the United States currently delivers foreign assistance, explore success stories found in the efficient delivery of assistance, and further the overall effectiveness of foreign assistance and educating other Members on this subject.”

The Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review provides a blueprint for elevating ”civilian power” — development and diplomacy–as a critical component of our national defense.

President Obama has also created a Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development (PPD), which is the first of its kind by any U.S. administration. More information on the PPD can be found at the following links:

Four White House fact sheets:

 Join us for this important event, as these projects and directives will likely shape U.S. foreign assistance and the global development industry in the upcoming years.

When: Tuesday, August 30, 2011, 3:30pm – 5:30pm
Where: University of Washington Seattle Campus, Kane Hall, Room 120
Price: $10
Click here to register

  • Become a Member

  • Related Resources and Reading

    • Principles of Foreign Aid Effectiveness: Global Washington White Paper
    • Congressional Research Service Report
      • This report, released February of this year, provides some history and background on legislation related to foreign assistance reform.
    • Fact sheet on Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development
    • The First Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR): Leading Through Civilian Power
      • "How can we do better?...we will build up our civilian power: the combined force of civilians working together across the U.S. government to practice diplomacy, carry out development projects, and prevent and respond to crises. Many different agencies contribute to these efforts today. But their work can be more unified, more focused, and more efficient. The State Department and USAID will take a lead role in making that happen."-Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton
      • The QDDR provides a blueprint for elevating American "civilian power" to better advance our national interests and to be a better partner to the U.S. military. Leading through civilian power means directing and coordinating the resources of all America's civilian agencies to prevent and resolve conflicts; help countries lift themselves out of poverty into prosperous, stable, and democratic states; and build global coalitions to address global problems.
    • Foreign aid 101: A quick and easy guide to understanding US foreign aid
      • Oxfam sets out to dispel the common myths around foreign aid and answer some of the most fundamental questions as to why the US gives foreign aid and how to make it more effective. Briefing Paper, Published: May 20, 2011
      • Publication Summary:
      • Why does the US give foreign aid? How much does foreign aid cost? What is the US doing to make foreign aid more effective? And why does Oxfam care about foreign aid? In its revised edition of "Foreign Aid 101," Oxfam sets out to answer these fundamental questions through a quick and easy guide to understanding foreign aid. The report dispels common myths about aid, explains the terminology, and through examples illustrates how the US is making foreign aid more effective while also making recommendations on how the US can ensure that its foreign aid leads to broad-based growth.
      • Foreign Aid 101: Revised Edition (564.7 kB)
    • Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance