The Food Crisis has become what many people call “the perfect storm”. A forecasted disaster, a predicted catastrophe produced by a compilation of factors that many people for sought at least 3 years ago. This monster has become a reality, manifesting itself in forms of extreme poverty and hunger, urging policy makers and different agencies to create new ways to tackle it and embrace new ways to secure our (the world’s) Food.
The diverse panel for this event featured a representative from each different sector; Thomas Briggs, USAID for government, Ann Tutwiler from the Hewlett Foundation provided the non-governmental perspective, Tres Bailey from Walmart for the private sector, and Howard Shapiro from Mars Inc. for the technological aspect of food security. Each presented and agreed on the factors that led to this crisis and each with different, sometimes congruent, solutions to help gravely affected developing countries.
USAID’s solution includes development assistance to increase food production, meaning investments in agricultural processing facilities, creating access to financing for farmers, and improving agricultural value chains. Mrs. Tutwiler, from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, discussed these solutions as well as increasing foreign direct investment (FDI) through market incentives and improvement of market structures in developing nations. The Hewlett foundation is working on the improvement and investment in roads to reduce transportation costs in developing countries as a strategy to expand markets specifically in Africa. Tres Bailey, Walmart’s representative, spoke about Walmart’s local investment to boost up economies in emerging markets. Mr. Bailey explained the newly formed partnership between USAID and Walmart as well as with Mercicrops.
Another panelist, Howard Shapiro, from Mars, Inc, presented an innovative way of looking at food security. Rather than affecting market infrastructure through FDI or by importing foreign agricultural practices such as fertilizer implementation, looking at how small farms can utilize their local resources. The topsoil in some parts of Africa is too thin for fertilizer, and that it is essential to look at which crops flourish in the natural environment. While we examine market, we must also look at sustaining what is already on the ground. In order to ensure food security, we must embrace nature’s laws and look at sustainable ways to secure food for the poor and for the world.
Date: November 10th, 2008
Hosted by: Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies
Attended by: Cristina Lopez
Showing posts with label Non-Profit Organizations. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Non-Profit Organizations. Show all posts
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
The Business of Urban Transformation
The Private Sector and Urban Development
Who could’ve imagined Dharavi, a slum in Mumbai, India with a population of 1 million people would be the next gold mine for investment? CHF International, TCG International, and Woodrow Wilson Center’s Comparative Urban Studies Project see the potential, and with this vision they seek to transform urban poverty into a fast growing, productive center for the private sector to invest in and develop. Over the years, urban poverty has been overshadowed by rural development within the international community, but the outstanding growth of the urban population in Indian cities, where 62 million people now live in slums, has companies and foundations creating new projects to help the population improve their living conditions in these shanty towns.
At the event, CHF International’s Senior VP, presented the new program called SCALE-UP (Slum Communities Achieving Livable Environments with Urban Partners Program). This project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, enables the urban poor to have a meaningful voice in the planning and implementation of slum improvement programs bridging the gap between the local needs of the slum inhabitants and municipal governments.
A great example of this capital investment is LabourNet, an innovative entity which seeks to link the informal sector with the private, attracting blue collar workers in slums to jobs in the city through web and cellular technology. The mission of the company is to provide slum dwellers access to information and technology to improve their living conditions.
The panel discussed many ways the private sector and businesses could benefit from this micro-investing for both short term and long term gains while developing slums and improving sanitary and general living conditions.
Date: October 29th, 2008
Location: The Woodrow Wilson Center
Attended by: Cristina Lopez
Who could’ve imagined Dharavi, a slum in Mumbai, India with a population of 1 million people would be the next gold mine for investment? CHF International, TCG International, and Woodrow Wilson Center’s Comparative Urban Studies Project see the potential, and with this vision they seek to transform urban poverty into a fast growing, productive center for the private sector to invest in and develop. Over the years, urban poverty has been overshadowed by rural development within the international community, but the outstanding growth of the urban population in Indian cities, where 62 million people now live in slums, has companies and foundations creating new projects to help the population improve their living conditions in these shanty towns.
At the event, CHF International’s Senior VP, presented the new program called SCALE-UP (Slum Communities Achieving Livable Environments with Urban Partners Program). This project, funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, enables the urban poor to have a meaningful voice in the planning and implementation of slum improvement programs bridging the gap between the local needs of the slum inhabitants and municipal governments.
A great example of this capital investment is LabourNet, an innovative entity which seeks to link the informal sector with the private, attracting blue collar workers in slums to jobs in the city through web and cellular technology. The mission of the company is to provide slum dwellers access to information and technology to improve their living conditions.
The panel discussed many ways the private sector and businesses could benefit from this micro-investing for both short term and long term gains while developing slums and improving sanitary and general living conditions.
Date: October 29th, 2008
Location: The Woodrow Wilson Center
Attended by: Cristina Lopez
Friday, September 19, 2008
NGO briefing on Reconstruction Activities in North East Afghanistan
On September 11th, 2008, the Department of State invited representatives of Non-Government Organizations to participate in a briefing regarding the current situation in North East Afghanistan. The presenter, Matthew Asada, has been a member of the Foreign Service since 2003, and spent the past year working with a German-led Provincial Reconstruction Team in Kunduz, Afghanistan.
Asada opened the briefing by stressing that Kunduz and the surrounding regions provide a strategic transit link to Kabul, as well as other North and Central Asia trading regions. According to Asada, the current security issues facing the region prevent it from reaching its maximum capacity or trading, and functionality. However, during the year he was stationed there, he witnessed an increase in security, trade, and overall community morale. This is due to counter-insurgency efforts, as well as foreign aid and investment, and training programs for local officers.
The German PRT launched a multifaceted counter-insurgency effort that focused on immediate security. Their main objectives included patrolling around known troubled regions to ensure orderly conduct, as well as extensively training local police officers. They would retrain them to prevent corruption, and then mentors would follow the police officers back to their regions for two additional months, in order to help them re-acclimate to their posts. The local police officers also received a pay increase in order to help combat bribery. These tactics allowed for the German PRT to patrol in expanding rings, with Kunduz in the center. And they did not have to continue patrolling the same areas, as the local police were able to Patrol relatively stable regions. This specific program not only improved safety, but also improved relations between the German PRT and the local Afghani National Security Forces and Intelligence offices.
In addition to the German PRT programs, Asada attributes Kunduz’s improvements to international developments such as the Tajik Bridge, which was part of a $49 million dollar project sponsored by the United States. This bridge links Afghanistan to Tajikistan for the first time ever. It is a major trade point, and prior to the bridge, the transportation of goods was conducted through a ferry system that could only transport 30 trucks per day. The new bridge currently holds a record of 600 trucks per day (including delays caused by border checks between the two countries). Since the bridge opened in October 2007, trade has been increased sevenfold, and customs profits have multiplied by ten.
While these are all great feats for Kunduz and Afghanistan as a whole, Asada stresses that the battle is far from won. There is still turmoil in the country over the legitimacy of the government, and its levels of corruption, specifically in the judiciary system. There is also much more development to be done, and a lot of help needed. Asada remarks that although the current development sponsored by the US is fantastic, the organizations that know development the best are in fact NGOs. Essentially, he believes Afghanistan could benefit from an increase in NGO participation in the region. Currently USAID is working on building schools in the region, along with the help of UNHCR. However, there are many more projects that need to be taken up. Among the challenges faced include a lack of power during the winter, and while donor countries can do a lot of help, they face many more bureaucratic limitations as well.
Sponsor: Department of State
Date: September 11th, 2008
Representative: Daria Willis
Asada opened the briefing by stressing that Kunduz and the surrounding regions provide a strategic transit link to Kabul, as well as other North and Central Asia trading regions. According to Asada, the current security issues facing the region prevent it from reaching its maximum capacity or trading, and functionality. However, during the year he was stationed there, he witnessed an increase in security, trade, and overall community morale. This is due to counter-insurgency efforts, as well as foreign aid and investment, and training programs for local officers.
The German PRT launched a multifaceted counter-insurgency effort that focused on immediate security. Their main objectives included patrolling around known troubled regions to ensure orderly conduct, as well as extensively training local police officers. They would retrain them to prevent corruption, and then mentors would follow the police officers back to their regions for two additional months, in order to help them re-acclimate to their posts. The local police officers also received a pay increase in order to help combat bribery. These tactics allowed for the German PRT to patrol in expanding rings, with Kunduz in the center. And they did not have to continue patrolling the same areas, as the local police were able to Patrol relatively stable regions. This specific program not only improved safety, but also improved relations between the German PRT and the local Afghani National Security Forces and Intelligence offices.
In addition to the German PRT programs, Asada attributes Kunduz’s improvements to international developments such as the Tajik Bridge, which was part of a $49 million dollar project sponsored by the United States. This bridge links Afghanistan to Tajikistan for the first time ever. It is a major trade point, and prior to the bridge, the transportation of goods was conducted through a ferry system that could only transport 30 trucks per day. The new bridge currently holds a record of 600 trucks per day (including delays caused by border checks between the two countries). Since the bridge opened in October 2007, trade has been increased sevenfold, and customs profits have multiplied by ten.
While these are all great feats for Kunduz and Afghanistan as a whole, Asada stresses that the battle is far from won. There is still turmoil in the country over the legitimacy of the government, and its levels of corruption, specifically in the judiciary system. There is also much more development to be done, and a lot of help needed. Asada remarks that although the current development sponsored by the US is fantastic, the organizations that know development the best are in fact NGOs. Essentially, he believes Afghanistan could benefit from an increase in NGO participation in the region. Currently USAID is working on building schools in the region, along with the help of UNHCR. However, there are many more projects that need to be taken up. Among the challenges faced include a lack of power during the winter, and while donor countries can do a lot of help, they face many more bureaucratic limitations as well.
Sponsor: Department of State
Date: September 11th, 2008
Representative: Daria Willis
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Peace and Stability Operations: What the Experts Think
The Better World Campaign and the Henry L. Stimson Center sponsored three expert panelists including William Durch, Gayle Smith and Gordon Adams who each provided insightful commentary on their views regarding peace and stability operation overseas.
William Durch, who is the Senior Associate and co-Director of the Future of Peace Operations at the Stimson Center and has an extensive career in Disarmament and International Affairs, stressed the need for peace to be self regulated. Durch claimed that it is possible for countries currently in conflict (such as the Democratic Republic of Congo) to provide self-regulated peace, however the constant barrier is a lack of peace enforcers. In the eyes of the international community, this is a role UN Peacekeepers should play. However, without the full support of the Security Council and local government, the Peace Keepers are not even able to defend themselves. Such is the case in Darfur, which Durch labeled as a “dangerous place for United States and United Nations Peace Keeping Forces” mainly due to under-staffing and lack of support from the local government. While we can not control the support of the local government, Durch does point out that a large part of the under-staffing is due to lack of funding. The consistently late payments made to the UN have a detrimental affect on its operations. Although some may argue that independent governments (such as the US) can fill in where the UN falls short, the UN has “a broader political legitimacy and greater reach into the private sector” making it the most likely to succeed in peace keeping operations (Durch).
Gordon Adams, Director of the Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense Project at Stimson, agreed with Durch, providing a series of suggestions that he feels the US should implement in order to assist in the international goals to sustain peace. Adams pointed out that the majority of the issues require more than just the US government’s input, and that there is a large network of institutions, both public and private, that the US should be working with. Adams also pointed out that while Darfur and the DRC are current “hot spots” the world should not lose sight of other situations for fear that the US will fall into fighting the “last-post-war” and rely on ad hoc responses, when in reality we need to fight preventatively. Adams also stressed the need for cooperation within the US government, suggesting that the responsibilities of international peace need to be carefully divided between the Department of Defense, USAID, and other governmental departments.
Finally, Gayle Smith, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and Co-Chair of the ENOUGH Project, provided eye-witness analysis of current and past peace issues in Africa based on her extensive journalism experience in the area. Smith stressed that in situations such as the DRC, peace keeping operations are not sufficient, and in Darfur, peace keeping operations are set up to do things and provide support beyond their capacity. Smith criticized the government of being short-sighted, and lacking comprehension regarding the necessities to provide international security. Smith also said that the peace keeping operations need to re-focus on preventing crisis, rather than reacting, managing trends that give rise to crisis, and transitional periods that extend past two years. Finally, Smith offered her theory that security needs to be addressed in three lenses: physical, economic, and human dignity.
Adams and Smith seemed to agree with Durch’s recommendations for the next administration. Durch proclaimed that in order for the US to achieve the kind of security it needs, the incoming administration needs to cooperate with the UN by affirming common goals, offering financial and technological support, military assistance, and peace keeping contributions. Until this is accomplished, the US will continue to fall behind in security, as it is no longer unilaterally achievable.
Sponsor: Better World Campaign and the Henry L. Stimson Center
Date: 7/29/08
Representative: Daria Willis
William Durch, who is the Senior Associate and co-Director of the Future of Peace Operations at the Stimson Center and has an extensive career in Disarmament and International Affairs, stressed the need for peace to be self regulated. Durch claimed that it is possible for countries currently in conflict (such as the Democratic Republic of Congo) to provide self-regulated peace, however the constant barrier is a lack of peace enforcers. In the eyes of the international community, this is a role UN Peacekeepers should play. However, without the full support of the Security Council and local government, the Peace Keepers are not even able to defend themselves. Such is the case in Darfur, which Durch labeled as a “dangerous place for United States and United Nations Peace Keeping Forces” mainly due to under-staffing and lack of support from the local government. While we can not control the support of the local government, Durch does point out that a large part of the under-staffing is due to lack of funding. The consistently late payments made to the UN have a detrimental affect on its operations. Although some may argue that independent governments (such as the US) can fill in where the UN falls short, the UN has “a broader political legitimacy and greater reach into the private sector” making it the most likely to succeed in peace keeping operations (Durch).
Gordon Adams, Director of the Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense Project at Stimson, agreed with Durch, providing a series of suggestions that he feels the US should implement in order to assist in the international goals to sustain peace. Adams pointed out that the majority of the issues require more than just the US government’s input, and that there is a large network of institutions, both public and private, that the US should be working with. Adams also pointed out that while Darfur and the DRC are current “hot spots” the world should not lose sight of other situations for fear that the US will fall into fighting the “last-post-war” and rely on ad hoc responses, when in reality we need to fight preventatively. Adams also stressed the need for cooperation within the US government, suggesting that the responsibilities of international peace need to be carefully divided between the Department of Defense, USAID, and other governmental departments.
Finally, Gayle Smith, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress and Co-Chair of the ENOUGH Project, provided eye-witness analysis of current and past peace issues in Africa based on her extensive journalism experience in the area. Smith stressed that in situations such as the DRC, peace keeping operations are not sufficient, and in Darfur, peace keeping operations are set up to do things and provide support beyond their capacity. Smith criticized the government of being short-sighted, and lacking comprehension regarding the necessities to provide international security. Smith also said that the peace keeping operations need to re-focus on preventing crisis, rather than reacting, managing trends that give rise to crisis, and transitional periods that extend past two years. Finally, Smith offered her theory that security needs to be addressed in three lenses: physical, economic, and human dignity.
Adams and Smith seemed to agree with Durch’s recommendations for the next administration. Durch proclaimed that in order for the US to achieve the kind of security it needs, the incoming administration needs to cooperate with the UN by affirming common goals, offering financial and technological support, military assistance, and peace keeping contributions. Until this is accomplished, the US will continue to fall behind in security, as it is no longer unilaterally achievable.
Sponsor: Better World Campaign and the Henry L. Stimson Center
Date: 7/29/08
Representative: Daria Willis
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Modernizing Foreign Assistance
Representatives from a cross-section of NGO’s, including the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (M-FAN), InterAction, and the International Center for Research on Women, convened at Women Thrive Worldwide July 21 to discuss foreign assistance reform. Participants at this month’s ‘Gender, Poverty and Foreign Working Group Meeting’ agreed that a new Foreign Assistance Act must be enacted to ensure that men and women receive equal benefits from US development assistance and that the US policy is firmly committed to UNDP’s Millennium Development Goal of women’s empowerment and gender equality.
Participants harmonized that today’s foreign assistance program is too outdated to effectively address current challenges. They collectively insisted that US principles for foreign assistance must be restructured and clearly redefined before any steps can be taken to modernization. To ensure that reform efforts are both dynamic and lasting, it is also necessary to distinguish them from national security interests (as it is commonly misconceived that they are one in the same). Only after giving these principles a long overdue facelift can US foreign assistance programs evolve to meet today’s global challenges. M-FAN describes four priority actions for modernizing U.S. foreign assistance:
1. Develop ONE national strategy for global development.
2. Reach a “grand bargain” between the President and Congress to enact an all-encompassing Foreign Assistance Act.
3.Create a Cabinet-level Department for Global Development to improve organizational capacity and to strengthen monitoring and evaluation
4. Increase funding for foreign assistance and heighten its accountability.
To elevate global development issues to a higher level of national priority, the organizational structures of US foreign assistance must become stronger and more collaborative. Additionally, the US government must invest in this heightened priority interest with sufficient and flexible resources.
Although members of the Gender, Poverty and Foreign Assistance Working Group represent a wide array of interests, their unified support of these principles and priorities allows them to leave their personal agendas at the door and to unite in hopes of broadening this campaign. August’s group meeting to discuss the particulars of the proposed Foreign Assistance Act seems promising, given the camaraderie among members and their commitment to making the Millennium Development Goal of women’s empowerment reality and to furthering development efforts in Washington.
Sponsor: Women Thrive Worldwide
Date: 21 July 2008
Time: 3-4 PM
Representative Attending: Elizabeth Caniano
Participants harmonized that today’s foreign assistance program is too outdated to effectively address current challenges. They collectively insisted that US principles for foreign assistance must be restructured and clearly redefined before any steps can be taken to modernization. To ensure that reform efforts are both dynamic and lasting, it is also necessary to distinguish them from national security interests (as it is commonly misconceived that they are one in the same). Only after giving these principles a long overdue facelift can US foreign assistance programs evolve to meet today’s global challenges. M-FAN describes four priority actions for modernizing U.S. foreign assistance:
1. Develop ONE national strategy for global development.
2. Reach a “grand bargain” between the President and Congress to enact an all-encompassing Foreign Assistance Act.
3.Create a Cabinet-level Department for Global Development to improve organizational capacity and to strengthen monitoring and evaluation
4. Increase funding for foreign assistance and heighten its accountability.
To elevate global development issues to a higher level of national priority, the organizational structures of US foreign assistance must become stronger and more collaborative. Additionally, the US government must invest in this heightened priority interest with sufficient and flexible resources.
Although members of the Gender, Poverty and Foreign Assistance Working Group represent a wide array of interests, their unified support of these principles and priorities allows them to leave their personal agendas at the door and to unite in hopes of broadening this campaign. August’s group meeting to discuss the particulars of the proposed Foreign Assistance Act seems promising, given the camaraderie among members and their commitment to making the Millennium Development Goal of women’s empowerment reality and to furthering development efforts in Washington.
Sponsor: Women Thrive Worldwide
Date: 21 July 2008
Time: 3-4 PM
Representative Attending: Elizabeth Caniano
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Finance
The speakers included Mildred Callear, the COO of the Small Enterprise Assistance Fund, Harold Rosen, Founder of the Grassroots Business Initiative, and John Simon, Senior Vice President of Overseas Private Investor Corporation.
As Washington DC popularizes foreign assistance through continued overseas micro-financing, these three speakers described the key changes that need to take place, and the initiatives their companies are implementing in order to be more effective. According to Mildred Callear, the key change that SEAF implemented is an increased level of management depth. Callear noted that in many cases, companies will lend money to entrepreneurs overseas without any continuous contact or management. SEAF, which split from Care in 1996, focuses on continuous levels of management with each of their accounts. This tactic, referred to as In House Business Assistance, walks borrowers through marketing strategies, operations assistance, additional financing, and finance collection. This creates a relationship where SEAF acts more as a parent organization, not just a lender.
Harold Rosen started the Grassroots Business Initiative because of his theories on proper lending strategies. Rosen stated that too often business will simply loan an entrepreneur a lump sum and expect them to pay it back in 6 months. However, in order to effectively empower the poor as producers, consumers, and entrepreneurs, lenders need to provide sustained monetary donations, and take the risk of investing more than just “dribbles of cash” (Rosen).
Overseas Private Investor Corporation, an offspring of USAID, has also made a shift towards development promotion. While struggling with its image during that 90s, John Simon claims that the company made a shift back to its original intent in 2003. OPIC is currently focusing on providing dept, loan guarantees and political risk insurance in order to encourage Small and Medium Enterprise Companies in the US to invest in development overseas. Currently, 87% of OPIC’s business is with American SME’s attempting to invest overseas (Simon).
While these three companies are on different levels of establishment, and success, all three stress the importance of maintained contact and assistance when lending money to entrepreneurs over seas. Additionally, all three see this as the solution to sustainable development because it benefits both the lenders as well as the borrowers. With the United Nations Development Program’s recent launch of the Growing Inclusive Market Report, and the presentations by Callear, Rosen and Simon, it has become clear that Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Financing has become the preferred method to help developing countries to reach financial stability during the emerging era of Globalization.
Sponsor: Society for International Development, DC
Date: 7/10/08
Time: 12pm
Representative: Daria Willis
As Washington DC popularizes foreign assistance through continued overseas micro-financing, these three speakers described the key changes that need to take place, and the initiatives their companies are implementing in order to be more effective. According to Mildred Callear, the key change that SEAF implemented is an increased level of management depth. Callear noted that in many cases, companies will lend money to entrepreneurs overseas without any continuous contact or management. SEAF, which split from Care in 1996, focuses on continuous levels of management with each of their accounts. This tactic, referred to as In House Business Assistance, walks borrowers through marketing strategies, operations assistance, additional financing, and finance collection. This creates a relationship where SEAF acts more as a parent organization, not just a lender.
Harold Rosen started the Grassroots Business Initiative because of his theories on proper lending strategies. Rosen stated that too often business will simply loan an entrepreneur a lump sum and expect them to pay it back in 6 months. However, in order to effectively empower the poor as producers, consumers, and entrepreneurs, lenders need to provide sustained monetary donations, and take the risk of investing more than just “dribbles of cash” (Rosen).
Overseas Private Investor Corporation, an offspring of USAID, has also made a shift towards development promotion. While struggling with its image during that 90s, John Simon claims that the company made a shift back to its original intent in 2003. OPIC is currently focusing on providing dept, loan guarantees and political risk insurance in order to encourage Small and Medium Enterprise Companies in the US to invest in development overseas. Currently, 87% of OPIC’s business is with American SME’s attempting to invest overseas (Simon).
While these three companies are on different levels of establishment, and success, all three stress the importance of maintained contact and assistance when lending money to entrepreneurs over seas. Additionally, all three see this as the solution to sustainable development because it benefits both the lenders as well as the borrowers. With the United Nations Development Program’s recent launch of the Growing Inclusive Market Report, and the presentations by Callear, Rosen and Simon, it has become clear that Small and Medium-sized Enterprise Financing has become the preferred method to help developing countries to reach financial stability during the emerging era of Globalization.
Sponsor: Society for International Development, DC
Date: 7/10/08
Time: 12pm
Representative: Daria Willis
Monday, July 14, 2008
Security and Development Workgroup
The Society for International Development put together a panel of experts to host an informal conversation regarding security issues in international development. Panelists included Jeff Abramson, the Managing Editor of Arms Control Today at Arms Control Association; Richard Hill, the Senior Director of Transition States at International Development Group-RTI International; and James D. Schmitt, Vice president of Center for Stabilization and Development at Creative Associates International. Each addressed their companies’ goals and initiatives towards increasing security in developing nations: arms treaties, legitimized security forces, and post conflict resolution.
According to Abramson, over the past few years the international community, along with reluctant cooperation from the US, has worked on drafting a collaborative Arms Trade Treaty. While it is unrealistic to expect countries to relinquish their independent rights to accept Arms Trade from other countries, the ultimate goal is to make the process much more transparent. That is to say, provide adequate documentation of which countries are receiving what arms.
Richard Hill applied Abramson’s briefing to the situation in Darfur. Hill stressed that as there is a need for a legitimate UN mandate regarding weapon’s trading, there is also a need for legitimate security in Darfur. However, since this is not currently a feasible option, RTI has focused on “Practical Security Solutions” addressing the health issues and violence directed towards the Internally Displaced Persons in Sudan. For example, in order to facilitate faster mobility and adaptability, RTI has provided chickens and stoves in the place of large farm animals and firewood so that Sudanese refugees are not required to leave the safety of the camps. In addition, RTI has provided donkeys for expedited transportation.
In addition to RTI’s initiatives, James D Schmitt discussed organization’s efforts to regulate post-conflict territories. Schmitt stressed that while the actions of non government organizations and for profit organizations such as RTI are crucial to the stabilization of a region, all efforts would be more effective if NGOs, for-profit organizations, and the military could collaborate their efforts. Schmitt refers to this theory as “clustering,” and brings up a valid argument that pooling the large variety of resources and funding could prove more beneficial in these post-conflict development efforts.
All three organizations are currently working for a better level of security in both developed and undeveloped regions around the globe. However, Abramson, Hill and Schmitt all recognize that, at the moment, these initiatives are very optimistic, and it may be an uphill battle.
Sponsor: Society for International Development
Date: 7/9/08
Time: 12pm-1:15pm
Representative: Daria Willis
According to Abramson, over the past few years the international community, along with reluctant cooperation from the US, has worked on drafting a collaborative Arms Trade Treaty. While it is unrealistic to expect countries to relinquish their independent rights to accept Arms Trade from other countries, the ultimate goal is to make the process much more transparent. That is to say, provide adequate documentation of which countries are receiving what arms.
Richard Hill applied Abramson’s briefing to the situation in Darfur. Hill stressed that as there is a need for a legitimate UN mandate regarding weapon’s trading, there is also a need for legitimate security in Darfur. However, since this is not currently a feasible option, RTI has focused on “Practical Security Solutions” addressing the health issues and violence directed towards the Internally Displaced Persons in Sudan. For example, in order to facilitate faster mobility and adaptability, RTI has provided chickens and stoves in the place of large farm animals and firewood so that Sudanese refugees are not required to leave the safety of the camps. In addition, RTI has provided donkeys for expedited transportation.
In addition to RTI’s initiatives, James D Schmitt discussed organization’s efforts to regulate post-conflict territories. Schmitt stressed that while the actions of non government organizations and for profit organizations such as RTI are crucial to the stabilization of a region, all efforts would be more effective if NGOs, for-profit organizations, and the military could collaborate their efforts. Schmitt refers to this theory as “clustering,” and brings up a valid argument that pooling the large variety of resources and funding could prove more beneficial in these post-conflict development efforts.
All three organizations are currently working for a better level of security in both developed and undeveloped regions around the globe. However, Abramson, Hill and Schmitt all recognize that, at the moment, these initiatives are very optimistic, and it may be an uphill battle.
Sponsor: Society for International Development
Date: 7/9/08
Time: 12pm-1:15pm
Representative: Daria Willis
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Student Luncheon at Africare
On Thursday the 12th of June, undergraduate students were granted the opportunity to have lunch with the distinguished Mr. Julius Coles to learn about the organization Africare. Mr. Coles, a former senior official with USAID and a graduate of
· food security and agriculture
· health and HIV/AIDS
· emergency response
Its grassroots focus is embodied by the philosophy “There are no Africare programs, only African programs.” Currently serving in 25 countries and allocating $50 million annually, Africare has successfully completely over 2,500 development and humanitarian projects in 38 years and delivered over $710 million in aid. With an overhead cost of only 9.1%, Africare receives high ratings from non-profit watchdogs such as American Philanthropy and Charity Navigator. This organization works with all sectors of society as it receives 52% of its funding from the government, significant funding from foundations such as the Gates Foundation, and partners with the Private Sector. Africare has a partnership with Shell in Nigeria to combat Malaria and with Exxon Mobil to promote women’s education in Angola and Chad, just to name a few. Additionally, Africare is a member of the Millennium Water Alliance and works with other NGOs in promoting development and assisting the needs of Africans.
Africare was founded during the Sahelian drought in the early 1970s by Dr. Kirker and his wife as a charity. PeaceCorp Officers Dr. Joseph C. Kennedy and C. Payne Lucas, a former Chairman of UNDP-USA, helped reform the charity and had it incorporated as Africare in May of 1971. The first president of Niger, Hamani Diori, served as a Co-founder and the first Chairman of Africare. From the beginning Africare has exemplified a commitment to partnership between Africans and Americas for the well-being of Africa and her people. Whether Africare workers are engaged in combating HIV/AIDS, helping orphans in a community in Uganda, educating girls in Chad, or participating in microfinance to allow women to have their own businesses, Africare is working to improve the quality of life for Africans with Africans.
Image Source
Sponsor: Africare
Date: June 12, 2008
Time: 12:30-2 pm
Representative Attending: Jessica Walker
Recognizing Excellence in the Non-Profit Community
The Washington Post Award for Excellence in Non-Profit Management, now in its 14th year, is a competition organized by the Center for Non-Profit Advancement that recognizes outstanding non-profit organizations for their innovative practices. The Washington Tennis and Education Foundation is the 2008 recipient of the award. MVLE, Inc. and the Urban Alliance Foundation were also finalists.
All three finalists presented their unique “Best Practices” in an interview session preceding the award presentation. MVLE, Inc. provides employment and support services for people with disabilities. Representatives spoke of the organizations’ improvements in employee satisfaction, revenue diversification, and risk management. They implemented an employee newsletter and monthly excellence award to bring their 30% annual staff turnover rate down to 8.8%. A silent whistleblower program encouraged feedback about management practices. MVLE also developed a comprehensive and straightforward scorecard which allows staff to measure the organization’s progress toward its goals.
The Urban Alliance Foundation prepares underprivileged youth for jobs and self-sufficiency through education, mentoring, and paid internships. Executive Director Veronica Nolan demonstrates the organization’s drive and commitment to excellence by often telling her staff, “We have to be better than a Fortune 500 company”. One of the keys to Urban Alliance’s success is that each employee truly embraces the goals and values of the organization. They consistently emphasize that the youth in the program come first. Urban Alliance also created an extensive checklist to evaluate potential partnerships. This is designed to ensure that all work with other organizations benefits students and adheres to the Urban Alliance mission.
Washington Tennis and Education Foundation (WTEF), winner of the award, uses educational enrichment and athletics to help low-income youth improve their academic performance and succeed after high school. Their most unique feature is a 69-member board and a full-time staff of only five. Board members are expected to participate in a variety of committees, ranging from budget and finance to securing a new office site to planning the annual gala fundraiser. WTEF also focuses on development and diversification of their funding sources. They employ two part-time grant writers in order to maintain established funding sources while simultaneously searching for new grants.
All three organizations presented exciting and thought-provoking management strategies. The workshop highlighted the high caliber of non-profits in the Washington, DC area, and demonstrated levels of excellence for which all organizations can strive.
Sponsor: The Washington Post and The Center for Non-Profit Advancement
Date: May 21, 2008
Time: 2-5 pm
Representative Attending: Kate Lonergan
All three finalists presented their unique “Best Practices” in an interview session preceding the award presentation. MVLE, Inc. provides employment and support services for people with disabilities. Representatives spoke of the organizations’ improvements in employee satisfaction, revenue diversification, and risk management. They implemented an employee newsletter and monthly excellence award to bring their 30% annual staff turnover rate down to 8.8%. A silent whistleblower program encouraged feedback about management practices. MVLE also developed a comprehensive and straightforward scorecard which allows staff to measure the organization’s progress toward its goals.
The Urban Alliance Foundation prepares underprivileged youth for jobs and self-sufficiency through education, mentoring, and paid internships. Executive Director Veronica Nolan demonstrates the organization’s drive and commitment to excellence by often telling her staff, “We have to be better than a Fortune 500 company”. One of the keys to Urban Alliance’s success is that each employee truly embraces the goals and values of the organization. They consistently emphasize that the youth in the program come first. Urban Alliance also created an extensive checklist to evaluate potential partnerships. This is designed to ensure that all work with other organizations benefits students and adheres to the Urban Alliance mission.
Washington Tennis and Education Foundation (WTEF), winner of the award, uses educational enrichment and athletics to help low-income youth improve their academic performance and succeed after high school. Their most unique feature is a 69-member board and a full-time staff of only five. Board members are expected to participate in a variety of committees, ranging from budget and finance to securing a new office site to planning the annual gala fundraiser. WTEF also focuses on development and diversification of their funding sources. They employ two part-time grant writers in order to maintain established funding sources while simultaneously searching for new grants.
All three organizations presented exciting and thought-provoking management strategies. The workshop highlighted the high caliber of non-profits in the Washington, DC area, and demonstrated levels of excellence for which all organizations can strive.
Sponsor: The Washington Post and The Center for Non-Profit Advancement
Date: May 21, 2008
Time: 2-5 pm
Representative Attending: Kate Lonergan
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