We interviewed Enrique Roig from our Latin America and Caribbean Bureau to discuss his work on citizen security in Central America. Can you describe the security situation in Central America? Violence levels in Central America are among the highest in the world – there are an estimated 900 gangs with a total of 70,000 members in […]
Archives for May, 2012
OECD Adopts New U.S. Initiated Development Strategy
Big news. Last week, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) – the so-called “rich man’s club” of developed countries – adopted a new Development Strategy (pdf) for partnering with developing countries. The multilateral organization, founded as part of the post-World War II Marshall Plan, took this significant step in fulfillment of a commitment […]
USAID in the News
Weekly Briefing (5/21/2012 – 5/25/2012) May 21: Last Friday, President Obama outlined a public-private partnership to work on global poverty issues ahead of the Group of Eight summit in Camp David. On the eve of the summit, USAID unveiled the New Alliance for Food and Nutrition Security, a program designed to lift 50 million people […]
This Week at the 65th World Health Assembly (WHA)
The 65th World Health Assembly (WHA) took place in Geneva and reflected on a decade of progress in global health, particularly in maternal and child health, uncertainty in the current economic climate, new challenges like non-communicable diseases and a sense of urgency to improve health systems. Dr. Margaret Chan was elected for a second five-year […]
Active Dialogue with Civil Society for More Productive Development Partnerships
In 1997, I attended an event held by the Society for International Development (SID) to discuss the emerging concept of “civil society.” A panel of scholars and practitioners discussed key issues, including the 72 definitions for civil society that one panelist tried to pare down. Flash forward to last week, when I had the honor […]
Video of the Week: Empowering Maasai Women in Tanzania
USAID is helping Maasai women in Tanzania gain literacy and numeracy skills so that they can obtain land rights, start businesses, and become involved in local government. By 2011, more than 2,000 women had completed the program. Their new communication skills allow them to conduct business activities more easily and empower them to assert their rights. For the first […]
Food Security Open Data Challenge
Last week, President Obama announced the G-8’s commitment to the “New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition”, the next phase of the G-8’s shared commitment to achieving global food security and nutrition goals. One of the elements of this New Alliance is a focus on science, technology, and innovation including the importance of open and available food security […]
Haitian President Joins in on Festivities at USAID-Rehabilitated Gymnasium Inauguration
The inaugural basketball game at a USAID-rehabilitated gymnasium drew thousands of Haitians ranging from the country’s president to pop stars to people displaced by the earthquake. The stands were packed at last week’s game at Gymnasium Vincent with dancing, cheering spectators. Most of them came from nearby neighborhoods, including a few of the remaining displaced […]
Five Questions about the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition
Originally posted at Feed the Future. 1. What is the New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition, and who is participating? The New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition is a commitment by G-8 members, African countries, and private sector partners to achieve sustained and inclusive agricultural growth to lift 50 million people out of […]
Reliable Family Planning Supply Chain Delivers Better Health and Prosperity to Ethiopian Families
“I started using contraceptives after I gave birth to my second child,” said Birtukan Bezabih, a 25-year-old married mother of three in southern Ethiopia. “I did not know that I was pregnant with my second child until [he] started moving inside my womb. It was just a few months after I gave birth to my […]
