MFAN Community Applauds Nomination of Ambassador Mark Green to be USAID Administrator

By: Jill MacArthur
May 12, 2017

This week, President Trump nominated Ambassador Mark Green to serve as the next USAID Administrator. MFAN released a statement welcoming the pick, as Amb. Green has extensive experience as both a former member of Congress and Ambassador to Tanzania.  Green currently serves as the President of the International Republican Institute which works to advance democracy … Continue reading MFAN Community Applauds Nomination of Ambassador Mark Green to be USAID Administrator

Testimony: Honorary Co-Chair Jim Kolbe on the Role of Private Sector in Development

By: Rep. Jim Kolbe (Ret.)
May 5, 2017

Download the full version of the testimony here. *** Hearing: International Development: Value Added Through Private Sector Engagement Testimony of Jim Kolbe, Senate Foreign Relations Committee 4 May 2017 Chairman Corker, Ranking Member Cardin, and members of the Committee: Thank you for the opportunity to testify today. This is a timely topic, as we consider … Continue reading Testimony: Honorary Co-Chair Jim Kolbe on the Role of Private Sector in Development

Now Is Not The Time To Shirk American Leadership In The World

By: Senator Richard G. Lugar (Ret.) and Congressman Jim Kolbe (Ret.)
April 11, 2017

Since the end of World War II, U.S. foreign policy has relied on the three distinct policy tools: defense, diplomacy and development. These three Ds have worked together to develop mutually reinforcing strategies that have enjoyed strong bipartisan support for over 70 years. Continued U.S. leadership across the globe is not only a moral imperative … Continue reading Now Is Not The Time To Shirk American Leadership In The World

Congressional Leaders Voice Concern About Trump Administration’s Proposed Cuts to State Department and USAID

By: Jill MacArthur
March 21, 2017

The Trump Administration has proposed $37.6 billion for International Affairs in its Fiscal Year 2018 “skinny budget”.  This request reduces funding levels for the State Department and USAID by 31% compared to the FY17 Continuing Resolution. Members of Congress have responded swiftly to the administration’s plan expressing concern over such a severe proposed reduction in … Continue reading Congressional Leaders Voice Concern About Trump Administration’s Proposed Cuts to State Department and USAID

MFAN Community Pushes Back on Trump Administration’s Deep Proposed Cuts to Foreign Assistance

By: Jill MacArthur
March 17, 2017

This week the Trump Administration submitted its FY2018 “skinny budget” request to Congress.  The proposal asks for $37.6 billion for International Affairs, a 31% reduction in funding for the State Department and USAID compared to the FY17 Continuing Resolution. MFAN has come out strongly opposing this deep and disproportionate cut.  The MFAN Co-Chairs released a … Continue reading MFAN Community Pushes Back on Trump Administration’s Deep Proposed Cuts to Foreign Assistance

MFAN Letter to Secretary of State Tillerson

By: George Ingram, Carolyn Miles, Connie Veillette
March 9, 2017

Download a formatted version of the letter here. *** February 23, 2017 The Honorable Rex Tillerson Secretary, U.S. Department of State 2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520 Dear Secretary Tillerson: On behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN), we are writing to congratulate you on your recent confirmation to serve as the 69th … Continue reading MFAN Letter to Secretary of State Tillerson

MFAN Partners Break New Ground in Measuring Aid Impact

By: Jill MacArthur
February 9, 2017

One theme received more attention than anticipated during newly-confirmed Secretary of State Rex Tillerson’s recent confirmation hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee – the effectiveness of foreign aid.  Over a dozen Senators questioned Tillerson on issues including transparency and accountability as well as specific initiatives like PEPFAR, Feed the Future, and Power Africa. In … Continue reading MFAN Partners Break New Ground in Measuring Aid Impact

Ray of Sunlight at the Pentagon: Defense Department adopts first evaluation policy

By: Stephanie Cappa
January 24, 2017

On January 13, the Pentagon adopted its first-ever Assessment, Monitoring, and Evaluation (AM&E) Policy for security cooperation programs. The new policy commits the Defense Department to systematically examine what’s working and what’s not with security cooperation programs, finally requiring a level of scrutiny that is already in place at the U.S. Agency for International Development … Continue reading Ray of Sunlight at the Pentagon: Defense Department adopts first evaluation policy

Improving Ownership in US Foreign Assistance

By: Sarah Rose
January 23, 2017

For over a decade, donors and developing countries alike have embraced the notion that “country ownership” should be central to the way aid is designed and delivered. Ownership is widely considered critical for achieving and sustaining program results, building local capacity to help countries transition from aid, and strengthening the citizen-state compact by shifting accountability … Continue reading Improving Ownership in US Foreign Assistance

Pentagon unveils major policy to evaluate security cooperation programs

By: Thomas W. Ross Jr.
January 17, 2017

Each year, the Department of Defense (DoD) spends roughly $9 billion in taxpayer funds on engagements with foreign countries, much of it in the form of efforts to build the capacity of their militaries to provide effective, accountable security to their citizens.  These efforts – collectively called security cooperation – are not altruistic; rather, they … Continue reading Pentagon unveils major policy to evaluate security cooperation programs