Modernizing U.S. Foreign Assistance

CGD has an active program of research and analysis on aid effectiveness and recognizes that strong foreign assistance programs are vital to U.S. national interests. They enhance our security, expand global economic opportunities and promote American values. The past 40 years of foreign assistance have shown successes, but they have also shown that our foreign assistance programs are out of date and badly in need of overhaul to meet the challenges of the 21st century. The mission, mandate and organizational structure of our outdated foreign assistance apparatus must be rebuilt and adequately funded to meet today's foreign policy challenges, particularly our institutions and policies focusing on global development and poverty reduction.

This Initiative aims to:

• Create a one-stop-shop for analysis and advocacy efforts on U.S. foreign assistance reform.
• Provide CGD expert opinion on how to reform the mission, mandate and organizational structure of U.S. foreign assistance.
• Elevate global development and U.S. foreign assistance as a critical national interest priority.
• Track Presidential candidates’ statements on global development and U.S. foreign assistance in Election ’08

What’s New in U.S. Foreign Assistance Reform?

The House Foreign Affairs Committe held a hearing on "Foreign Assistance Reform: Rebuilding U.S. Civilian Development and Diplomatic Capacity in the 21st Century" featuring two former USAID Administrators: Peter McPherson and J. Brian Atwood (June 25, 2008). 

InterAction released a paper on "Proposed Major Components and Organization of a Cabinet-level Department for Global and Human Development" (June 24, 2008).

Center for American Progress released two reports related to sustainable security: "In Search of Sustainable Security" by Gayle Smith and "Humanity as a Weapon of War" by Reuben Brigety (June 19 and 30, 2008).

This initiative is funded in part by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.