In September 2010, President Obama announced the first Presidential Policy Directive on Global Development (PPD) in American history, heralding a new U.S. approach to alleviating poverty, eradicating disease, and promoting economic growth in poor countries. As part of a speech outlining the new policy, President Obama declared, “...we will insist on more responsibility—from ourselves and from others. We insist on mutual accountability.” 

To answer this call and hold the Administration accountable for the ambitious commitments in the PPD, MFAN asked U.S. government agencies involved in global development to respond to a series of questions assessing each agency’s progress on implementing the policy over the past 18 months. We are particularly focused on ensuring the Administration remains committed to transparency as this new approach to global development is brought to life. We hope the information that we’ve received from participating development agencies—published on this microsite—will spark discussion on the successes thus far and the opportunities that lie ahead. We will also aim to highlight areas where more needs to be done inside and outside of government to drive better development outcomes. Click here to read MFAN’s first anniversary assessment of the PPD.

How is USTR Implementing the President’s Global Development Policy?

May 3rd, 2012 | Obama Administration, Policy to Action

These initiatives and commitment on the part of USTR are both substantial and vital. But they leave unanswered two other vital questions: does USTR—or any of the government development agencies—fully appreciate the dominant role that must be assigned to the private sector if trade and investment is to grow in the least developed countries? And do they understand that policies of developing countries are very often the major impediment to such growth—regulatory, tax, tariff, procurement and the unsanctioned but often choking prevalence of corruption?

MFAN Principals Weigh in on Transparency with New Blog Series

May 2nd, 2012 | House, MCC, Obama Administration, Policy to Action, USAID

This week we’re kicking off a new blog series—the first connected to information on our microsite—that takes a critical eye to the specific agency efforts designed to make our foreign assistance more transparent and effective and attempts to assess the pace of progress in key areas of reform.

Secretary Clinton Co-Chairs First Annual OGP Meeting

April 18th, 2012 | Obama Administration, Policy to Action, State Department

In her opening statement, Clinton said, “In the 21st century, the United States is convinced that one of the most significant divisions among nations will not be north/south, east/west, religious, or any other category so much as whether they are open or closed societies. We believe that countries with open governments, open economies, and open societies will increasingly flourish. They will become more prosperous, healthier, more secure, and more peaceful…By contrast, those governments that hide from public view and dismiss the idea of openness and the aspirations of their people for greater freedom will find it increasingly difficult to maintain peace and security. “