The delivery of foreign assistance must be effective for the United States to successfully achieve its international policy objectives. The Congressional Caucus for Effective Foreign Assistance (CCEFA) that I co-chair with Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) will examine the way the United States currently delivers foreign assistance, explore success stories, and raise awareness on this subject.
Stable international partners, accountability and transparency, access and development of sustainable global markets, poverty reduction, and greater national security can be developed from the effective delivery of foreign assistance. In our increasingly interconnected world, these goals are in everyone’s best interest.
Our May 12, 2011 kickoff featured Dr. Raj Shah, Administrator for USAID, and distinguished panel of experts; Mark Green, Senior Director United States Global Leadership Coalition and member of the Millennium Challenge; Ray Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America; David Beckmann, President, Bread for the World; Asif Shaikh, President and CEO International Resources Group; and Dr. Jonathan Quick, President and CEO of Management Sciences for Health. The event was the first of a number of forums we will host to examine U.S. delivery of foreign assistance.
Caucus Member List:
Representatives Ander Crenshaw (R-FL) Co-Chair, Adam Smith (D-WA) Co-Chair, Laura Richardson (D-CA), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), David Wu (D-OR), Jim McDermott (D-WA), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Peter Stark (D-CA), Jim Moran (D-VA), Denny Rehberg (R-MT), Aaron Schock (R-IL), Keith Ellison (D-MN), Jack Kingston (R-GA), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Mike Honda (D-CA), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Richard Hanna (D-NY), Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL).
Upcoming Events:
December 8, 2011: CCEFA hosts panel discussion about aid effectiveness and The Millennium Challenge Corporation's (MCC) model of country-led development from 3 p.m. - 4 p.m. in Room H-122 of the U.S. Capitol Building. Remarks will be made by Samuel Olukayode Batcho, national coordinator for Benin's program for the Millennium Challenge Account and Steven Marma, MCC's resident country director in Mozambique. For questions, contact John Ariale, john.ariale@mail.house.gov, with Representative Crenshaw at (202) 225-2501 or Katy Quinn, katy.quinn@mail.house.gov, with Representative Adam Smith at (202) 225-8901.
September 12, 2011: CCEFA is teaming up with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to host a staff briefing on the MCC’s Approach to Aid Effectiveness. This event will allow Congressional staff to meet key leadership and staff at MCC, and learn more about MCC’s mission and initiatives. Participants will also have an opportunity to hear from the MCC’s CEO, Daniel Yohannes. This event will take place on Monday, September 12th from 10 a.m. – noon, with an optional lunch to follow, at the MCC’s headquarters at 875 15th Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005 (Orange/Blue Line, McPherson Square Station). Please see the invitation below and RSVP to Jennifer Key at keyjm@mcc.gov or 202-521-3854.
July 18, 2011: CCEFA and USAID's Office of Legislative and Public Affairs host USAID-101 briefing for Congressional staff to lean more about USAID's mission, initiatives, and USAID's reform agenda entitled "USAID Forward." 1-5 p.m. at the U.S. Agency for International Development: Ronald Reagan Building, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20523. Contact Aysha House Moshi at ahouse-moyshi@usaid.gov or 202-712-5469 to register.
July 11, 2011: CCEFA and German Marshall Fund of the United States staff briefing "Partnering on Foreign Assistance in a time of Austerity: How U.S. cooperation with transatlantic allies can lead to more effective development assitance." Special guests - Jim Kolbe, Senior Transatlantic Fellow, The German Marshall Fund of the United States, and Claire Moran, Development Counselor, UK Embassy.
Worth a Read:
Foreign Aid 101: A quick and easy guide to understanding US foreign aid.