In recognition of this year’s International Women’s Day, the U.S. Mission in Bangladesh, through USAID/Bangladesh , joined with female political leaders, celebrities, academic experts, thought leaders, musicians, mothers, daughters to celebrate the economic, political and social contributions of women in Bangladesh. The 2-day Gender and Development Fair, “Equal Access to Education, Training, and Science & Technology: Pathways to Decent Work for Women,” was held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center over two days, March 14-15, 2011. The fair featured fair activities and several performances throughout the day by various development organizations and women entrepreneurs including a fabulous puppet show from JICA.
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Photo of the Week: Chile and the U.S. Join efforts for Development

Mark Lopes, Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Latin America signing the bi lateral agreement between Chile and U.S.A., with Ambassador Liliana Ayelde, Ms. Cristina Lazo, Executive Director from AcGI and Minister for the Social Cabinet, Miguel Lopez Perito. Photo Credit: USAID/Paraguay
Deputy Assistant Administrator Mark Lopes of the United States Agency for International Development Agency (USAID) and Executive Director of the International Cooperation Agency of Chile (AgCI), Maria Cristina Lazo, signed a Memorandum of Understanding to pursue joint development cooperation in third countries. As part of the new partnership, they signed a trilateral agreement to help the Government of Paraguay strengthen its capacity in customs administration, export promotion and support to farmers.
Going forward, USAID and AgCI will collaborate to reduce poverty, strengthen institutions, improve economic development and expand economic and social inclusion across the Hemisphere.
“This Agreement is yet another step in advancing the Obama Administration’s commitment to engage Latin American and Caribbean governments as equal partners in the region’s sustainable development”, said Lopes. “Chile has made remarkable strides in building an open, inclusive and prosperous society and we want to help promote the Chilean experience to help solve other challenges in the Hemisphere.”
“USAID and AgCI are partners for development. This agreement is being signed today, but the joint collaboration between Chile, the United States and Paraguay to identify specific areas of work has already begun” said Lazo. “We believe this is just the first step of many joint efforts in the future.”
Picture of the Week

Government of Southern Sudan President Salva Kiir Mayardit speaks February 10 at an event inaugurating USAID’s tarmacking of the Juba-Nimule road that links southern Sudan to Uganda, a key trade partner. At front right, Ambassador R. Barrie Walkley, the U.S. Consul General in Juba. Photo Credit: Jenn Warren/USAID
Picture of the Week

Observers with the Carter Center confer as voting results forms from two locations arrive at the Southern Sudan Referendum Bureau Data Center in Juba January 19, 2011, and a policeman deployed to provide security looks on. USAID is among a community of donors supporting the Carter Center’s independent international observation of the southern Sudan self-determination referendum. Photo: Angela Stephens/USAID
Picture of the Week

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter January 11 at a referendum polling center at Juba University with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter and a Sudanese poll worker. USAID is among a community of donors supporting the Carter Center's international observation of the southern Sudan referendum. Photo: Angela Stephens/USAID
Snapshot from Sudan
USAID Assistant Administrator Nancy Lindborg with Darfuri children at the Otash camp for internally displaced persons outside Nyala, South Darfur. Photo is from Doug Arbuckle.
Picture of the Week: Agricultural Boost in Vietnam
Agricultural research helps farmers in Vietnam grow more rice and counteract the impacts of climate change on food security. Photo is from Philippe Berry/USAID.
Pic of the Week: Conserving Wildlife in Southern Sudan
Park rangers patrol a wildlife habitat in southern Sudan. Supported by USAID, the Wildlife Conservation Society works to protect the area’s natural resources while creating local jobs and seeking alternatives to unsustainable hunting practices. Photo is from A. Schenk/WCS.
Picture of the Week: Progress in Haiti
Josette Colin discusses how her earthquake-damaged home was made habitable again by USAID/OFDA-funded Pan American Development Foundation teams in the Simmond-Pele neighborhood in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Dec. 16, 2010. Photo is from Kendra Helmer/USAID.