The Obama Administration recognizes that the successful pursuit of development is essential to our security, prosperity, and values. In a world shaped by growing global economic integration and the fragmentation of political power; by the rise of emerging powers and the persistent weakness of fragile states; and the potential borne of globalization and risks posed by transnational threats, development is a strategic imperative to the United States. Our investments in development – and the policies we pursue that support development – can facilitate the stabilization of countries emerging from conflict, address poverty that is a common denominator in the myriad of challenge we face, foster increased global growth, and reinforce the universal values we aim to advance.” – A New Way Forward on Global Development
This is an excerpt from the opening paragraph of a memo leaked to Foreign Policy magazine the other day. It is a draft version of the National Security Council’s Presidential Study Directive on Global Development Policy (PSD-7). The 7-page documents details plans for an overhaul of U.S. approach to development and foreign aid. I am still reading through the document and the commentaries that have already been posted, but the approval ratings from the development community have so far been positive. My first thoughts are that the document is classic Obama: simple and pragmatic, intuitive and ambitious. It proposes consolidating the fragmented government agencies to reduce waste, bringing more accountability to aid distribution by applying quantifiable metrics to programs and investing in those with a proven return, and building in-country capacity to produce sustainable solutions. In a world of limited resources and an industry with a reputation for squandering those resources, the report proposes selectively choosing sectors that yield the most far-reaching and broad results. Simultaneously, the U.S. will hold countries responsible for keeping up their end of the bargain by utilizing funds appropriately. The U.S. will take a multi-lateral approach, working with other foreign governments, NGOs, philanthropy organizations to divide the labor and financing according to sector expertise. Lastly, the U.S. will create a new “modern architecture” to ensure that government agencies are working in tandem. Continue reading