The Fiscal Year 2013 International Affairs budget, which was released on February 13, showcases President Obama’s commitment to making smart, efficient investments to help those in the greatest need while helping to create economic opportunity and safeguarding American security. It is important to remember that these numbers represent lives around the world that can be [...]
Tag archives for USAID Forward
Selectivity and Focus
You’ve heard USAID talk about selectivity and focus in theory, but what do these principles mean in practice? In response to the global trends that are reshaping the development landscape and in line with the QDDR and PPD, USAID will apply seven operational principles across the Agency to help us focus on achieving and measuring [...]
Turning Impossible Challenges into Solvable Problems
Recently, USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah delivered an address at the TED annual conference where he noted that “… scientific and technological breakthroughs do more than address specific technical challenges; they inspire collective action by turning impossible challenges into solvable problems”. In my remarks on “Turning Impossible Challenges into Solvable Problems” at the University of [...]
Innovation at USAID
Innovation is critical to the future of USAID, and our ability to reach development goals effectively. The first-ever Global Development Policy calls on USAID to, “increase our investments and engagement in development-focused innovation by seeking and scaling up potential game-changing development technologies.” As the term innovation becomes more common in the international and American dialogue, [...]
Unleashing the Power of Women and Girls
By: Steve Radelet, USAID Chief Economist Women and girls are an extremely powerful force for development. A woman’s economic wellbeing is fundamental to her family, her community, her children, and her children’s children. Women are vital to economic growth, income generation, and security and stability. More than 70 percent of the farmers in Africa are [...]
Addressing the World’s Greatest Development Challenges
By: Susan Reichle, Assistant to the Administrator for the Bureau of Policy, Planning and Learning (PPL) As a career Foreign Service Officer, I’ve seen many international frameworks that try to address some of the world’s greatest development challenges. It’s a tricky balance to strike—ensuring the inclusion of viewpoints from the international partners we depend on, [...]
Leading Through Civilian Power
After months of effort and meaningful discussions, today I was happy to join Secretary Clinton to unveil the first ever Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) at a State Department town hall. Complementing the Presidential Policy Directive on development that was released earlier this year, the QDDR helps make real the commitment the Secretary has [...]
This Week at USAID – October 11, 2010
Administrator Shah opens a weeklong training for over 80 USAID communications staff from USAID Missions all over the world. These communicators are in Washington, D.C. to engage with senior officials about elevating development, particularly the first-ever national development strategy issued by a U.S. President and “USAID Forward”, the Agency’s change management agenda. Sessions featured during the week include: a [...]
Pipeline to Prosperity: Creating Sustainable Partnerships for Minority Businesses
Submitted by Mauricio Vera Today I spoke at the Congressional Black Caucus conference on a panel entitled “Pipeline to Prosperity: Creating Sustainable Partnerships for Minority Businesses”. The event was hosted by Congresswoman Barbara Lee and the audience consisted primarily of small and minority business owners. I enjoy participating in these events to hear from the [...]
