Brookings: Topics - Foreign Assistance Reform

Foreign Policy

Mon, 23 Nov 2009 16:23:32 GMT

The U.S. and the international community face great challenges in the 21st century—globalization offers more freedom and prosperity, but also new threats to our security. The Foreign Policy Studies scholars and research help policymakers and the public address these crucial issues.

Global Economy and Development

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 18:49:38 GMT

Humanitarian Response Index 2009: Clarifying Donor Priorities

Tue, 10 Nov 2009 15:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 10, 2009, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Every year, humanitarian crises threaten the lives and livelihoods of over 250 million people worldwide, and donor governments must make the best use of their resources, knowledge and capabilities to respond to these challenges. On November 10, the Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement will host the launch of the Development Assistance Research Associates Humanitarian Response Index 2009, which helps donor governments ensure that humanitarian assistance has the greatest possible impact for people suffering the effects of crises and disasters.

President Obama and the Spirit of Global Development Partnership

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The key feature of President Obama's speech on September 22 at the Clinton Global Initiative was a call for a new spirit of global partnership, with respect to aiding the world's poor and countering transnational treats. Noam Unger discusses steps the U.S. government could take to advance global development efforts.

Making Africa a Priority in U.S. Foreign Assistance

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's multi-nation tour of Africa highlights America's development aid imbalance. Last year, the United States directed almost three-quarters of its resources to countries that are not among the poorest in the world. David Gartner argues that a greater focus on the least developed countries, especially those in Africa, would yield enormous progress toward reducing global poverty.

President Obama's Agenda Needs Greater Focus on Global Development

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Although the Obama administration faces serious challenges at home and abroad, Homi Kharas, Johannes Linn and Noam Unger call for greater attention to the world's poor. The experts provide recommendations on how the Obama administration can begin to improve America's critical role in global development.

Diplomacy and Development in the 21st Century: A Conversation with Senator John Kerry

Thu, 21 May 2009 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 21, 2009, 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM

Experts have called for U.S. foreign assistance—and specifically the U.S. effort to support global development—to be reformed in order to become more strategic, coherent and effective. On May 21, the Brookings Institution hosted Senator John Kerry (D-Mass.), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, for a discussion of U.S. foreign assistance reform and the importance of foreign relations authorization.

Strengthening America's Global Development Partnerships

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the Obama administration and Congress work to reform an outdated foreign assistance system, they have an opportunity to adapt official U.S. efforts to more effectively and efficiently support global development in partnership with businesses and civil society. Jane Nelson and Noam Unger recommend ways the U.S. government can better position itself within the 21st century global development ecosystem.

Civil-Military Relations, Fostering Development, and Expanding Civilian Capacity

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Critical stabilization and reconstruction missions abroad must not only be viewed through the lenses of short-term goals or military operations, but as a key step in supporting sustainable economic development. In a workshop report, Noam Unger and Frederick Barton explore ways to rebalance American statecraft by strengthening civilian stabilization and development capacity within the U.S. government.

Global Development 2.0: An Expanding Ecosystem

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While there is much to celebrate about the burgeoning aid landscape, there is also much to learn and do. In an article in InterAction's Monday Developments, Noam Unger and Abigail Jones argue that if new and traditional players collaborate effectively, their efforts could be more than the sum of the parts.

Redefine America's Global Development Cooperation

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 10, 2008, 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

The fight against global poverty has become a fight for global security. But after an awkward entrance into the 21st century, America must redefine its role in the world, including its relations with developing countries. Colin Bradford offered a public memo to the president-elect with recommendations how to modernize U.S. aid efforts and address the global development challenges of the new century effectively and with accountability.

Memo to the President: Redefine America's Global Development Cooperation

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

America cannot afford to retreat from the fight against global poverty in a world where remote challenges can rapidly metastasize into global threats. Instead the United States must demonstrate renewed leadership and showcase its national spirit by investing wisely through more effective global development cooperation.

Top 10 Global Economic Challenges Facing America's 44th President

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As President-Elect Obama prepares to lead the United States, what are the top global economic challenges facing the new president and his advisors and how should the new administration address them? A new report by Brookings global economic and development experts ranks the top 10 issues and details specific ideas for how to tackle the toughest challenges.

The 9/11 Development Imperative

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On the seventh anniversary of September 11, Lael Brainard and Noam Unger examine how the global development agenda has changed and how the U.S. can take critical steps to lead on efforts to reduce global poverty.

Global Development 2.0 : Can Philanthropists, the Public, and the Poor Make Poverty History?

Fri, 01 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

An unprecedented explosion of development players heralds a new era of global action on poverty. Global Development 2.0 celebrates this transformative trend within international aid and offers lessons to ensure that this wave of generosity yields lasting and widespread improvements to the lives and prospects of the world’s poorest.

Surveying the Civilian Reform Landscape

Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In a recent article written for a 2008 project of the Stanley Foundation and the Center for a New American Security, Noam Unger and Craig Cohen, associate vice president for research and programs at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, examine recent efforts to modernize U.S. civilian international affairs agencies.

U.S. Foreign Assistance: Reform to Lead in the 21st Century

Mon, 16 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Lael Brainard and Noam Unger discuss how the global food crisis showcases America’s limited current capability to respond effectively to global development challenges, and argue that the U.S. must modernize its foreign aid system in order to effectively offer solutions to poverty and lead internationally.

U.S. Foreign Assistance for the 21st Century

Tue, 10 Jun 2008 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 10, 2008, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

With its hard power stretched thin and facing 21st century threats from poverty, pandemics, and terrorism, the United States needs to revitalize its foreign aid infrastructure to ensure it effectively executes on America’s aspirations and aid dollars. On June 10, Lael Brainard from Brookings joined other leading global development experts, and Reps. Berman and Lowey and Senator Hagel, to discuss how the U.S. foreign aid system must change. A new consensus proposal for reform was also issued, which contains a number of Brookings’ recommendations.

A New Face of Hunger Should Prompt a New Approach to Foreign Aid

Fri, 02 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

President Bush recently called on Congress to increase U.S. food aid and development programs by $770 million. In a recent op-ed, Noam Unger, senior manager of Brookings’ Foreign Aid Reform Project, discusses how U.S. assistance programs should be strengthened in order to improve the effectiveness of America’s aid during the global food crisis and beyond.

U.S. Foreign Assistance: Advancing National Security, Interests, and Values

Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As the world faces security threats from impoverished states, the global community searches for solutions to poverty. Lael Brainard offers Congress recommendations for modernizing the U.S. aid infrastructure.

U.S. Foreign Assistance: Reinventing Aid for the 21st Century

Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In a world facing 21^st century threats from global poverty, pandemics, and terrorism, foreign aid has assumed renewed importance as a critical instrument for advancing American values, interests, and national security. Lael Brainard offers Congress recommendations for urgent reform since U.S. foreign aid policy has become incoherent and its implementation fragmented.

Beyond Assistance: Report of the HELP Commission on Foreign Aid Reform

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 13:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 10, 2007, 1:00 PM to 4:00 pm

On December 10, the Global Economy and Development program hosted the HELP Commission for the official release of its report on foreign aid reform, Beyond Assistance. Mary Bush, chair of the HELP Commission, announced the commission’s recommendations during remarks. Additional commissioners discussed their views on reform priorities and next steps. The second panel of independent experts led by Lael Brainard, vice president and director of Global Economy and Development, offered analysis of the HELP Commission’s report and discuss steps to move reform forward.

Reforming U.S. Foreign Aid

Mon, 10 Dec 2007 09:31:38 GMT

On December 10, Brookings hosted the Helping to Enhance the Livelihood of People around the Globe (HELP) Commission for their release of “Beyond Assistance,” the commission’s recommendations for foreign aid reform. Brookings Vice President Lael Brainard examines critical points in the report and discusses next steps for the reform effort.

Brookings Institution Launches Global Economy and Development Program

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:07:52 GMT

News release (6/30/06)

New Book Frames the Congressional Debate on Bush's Foreign Aid Initiative

Fri, 05 Oct 2007 19:08:48 GMT

Authors Lael Brainard, Carol Graham, Nigel Purvis, Steven Radelet, and Gayle E. Smith address how to best fashion the MCA and make it an effective tool to transform U.S. development policy and reinforce international aid cooperation.

Foreign Assistance: Reform Now for Smart Power

Mon, 30 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

It would be an enormous shame to abandon the focus on foreign assistance reform as the administration's specific proposals come under fire. A glance at the many agencies involved in pursuing the dizzying array of objectives embodied in U.S. foreign assistance should convince even the most diehard skeptic we have a problem.

U.S. Foreign Aid: The Need for Fundamental Reform

Fri, 27 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

July 27, 2007 at 12:00 AM

On July 27, 2007, Brookings hosted an event in the U.S. Capitol on the need to fundamentally reform U.S. foreign aid. As a critical instrument of American power and a key determinant of the face of America seen by people around the world, foreign aid must be up to the task of addressing 21^st century challenges.

Foreign Assistance Reform: Then, Now and Around the Bend

Sun, 01 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Article by Noam Unger, InterAction's Monday Developments (July 2007)

Foreign Assistance Reform: Successes, Failures, and Next Steps

Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Lael Brainard before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations (6/12/07)

Too Poor for Peace?

Tue, 05 Jun 2007 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 05, 2007, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

The Lessons of the Marshall Plan

Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The Marshall Plan was America's first full-blown foray into the enterprise of development and a turning point for our engagement in foreign lands. Sixty years later, what are the lessons we can draw to reinvigorate our foreign assistance mission and programs to mitigate global challenges while sharing America's spirit of goodwill and generosity?

Too Poor for Peace? : Global Poverty, Conflict, and Security in the 21st Century

Tue, 01 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT

The authors of this compelling book—some of the most experienced practitioners from around the world—investigate the complex and dynamic relationship between poverty and insecurity, exploring possible agents for change.

A Midterm Mandate for Lasting National Security

Mon, 06 Nov 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Lael Brainard (11/6/06)

Executive Recommendations by the Brookings-CSIS Task Force for Transforming Foreign Assistance for the 21st Century

Sun, 01 Oct 2006 00:00:00 GMT

With hard power assets stretched thin and confronting unprecedented global challenges of transnational threats, poverty, and pandemics, America must reform its weak aid infrastructure to leverage its soft power more effectively. Lael Brainard discusses how reform requires integrating the national security perspective of foreign assistance as a “soft power” tool intended to achieve diplomatic and strategic ends with that of a “development tool” allocated according to policy effectiveness and human needs.

Private Philanthropy Highlights Need for U.S. Foreign Aid Changes

Sat, 01 Jul 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Lael Brainard Opinion

Transforming Foreign Aid for the 21st Century: New Recommendations from the Brookings-CSIS Task Force

Thu, 22 Jun 2006 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 22, 2006, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM

On June 22, members of the bipartisan Brookings-CSIS Task Force on Transforming Foreign Assistance in the 21st Century gathered at Brookings to release new recommendations to address the challenges and opportunities associated with foreign aid transformation.

Transforming the Development Landscape : The Role of the Private Sector

Thu, 01 Jun 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Private sector activity is crucial for development. It shapes the investment climate, mobilizes innovation and financing in areas such as global health, and can either cause or mitigate social and environmental harm.

Security by Other Means : Foreign Assistance, Global Poverty, and American Leadership

Wed, 01 Feb 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Drawing on expertise from the full range of agencies whose policies affect foreign aid, Security by Other Means examines foreign assistance across four categories reflecting the interests that aid furthers: security, economic, humanitarian, and polit

Restructuring USAID

Mon, 30 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Interview with Lael Brainard, Carol Lancaster, and William Reese, The Kojo Nnamdi Show (1/30/06)

Transformational Diplomacy

Mon, 23 Jan 2006 00:00:00 GMT

Opinion by Lael Brainard and Charlie Flickner (1/23/06)

Organizing U.S. Foreign Aid in the 21st Century

Thu, 14 Jul 2005 15:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

July 14, 2005, 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

The co-authors of Organizing U.S. Foreign Aid: Confronting the Challenges of the 21st Century (Brookings Institution Press, 2005) joined three other leading experts in a discussion of foreign aid.

Organizing U.S. Foreign Aid : Confronting the Challenges of the 21st Century

Fri, 01 Jul 2005 00:00:00 GMT

Carol Lancaster and Ann Van Dusen call for a fundamental reorganization of U.S. aid programs. With the future of U.S. foreign aid policy at stake, this book will be essential reading for anyone interested in development, foreign aid, and the organiza

Organizing U.S. International Assistance in the 21st Century

Wed, 08 Dec 2004 14:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 08, 2004, 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM

In the wake of post-tsunami humanitarian relief efforts, many observers are examining the way governments organize themselves to manage their foreign aid. The organization of U.S. foreign aid, in particular, is often criticized for being fragmented, and a number of the processes by which U.S. aid is implemented have long been recognized as cumbersome and even inappropriate to its tasks. A Brookings workshop delved into these issues in depth.

U.S. Foreign Assistance After September 11th: Major Changes, Competing Purposes and Different Standards - Is There an Overall Strategy?

Thu, 26 Feb 2004 00:00:00 GMT

Testimony by Lael Brainard, U.S. House of Representatives Committee on International Relations (2/26/04)