U.S. foreign assistance under challenge
Traditional U.S. leadership on global development is under challenge. All administrations since World War II have valued U.S. economic assistance as an instrument for peace, prosperity, and human betterment. Global development is one issue on which there has been a bipartisan consensus, as evidenced by the last Congress enacting eight bills on economic assistance. The legacy and sustainability of these programs are now in doubt. President Donald Trump’s fiscal year 2018 budget proposal would cut the International Affairs Budget by 29 percent and significant organizational restructuring is under consideration. In a world where development dollars are called upon to manage famines, refugees, counter-terrorism, and fragile states, along with traditional development concerns such as health, education, infrastructure, governance, and democracy, such budget cuts could have a draconian impact.
From August 2-4, the Global Economy and Development Program at Brookings will host the 14th annual Brookings Blum Roundtable, “U.S. Foreign Assistance Under Challenge,” to discuss these issues. It will focus on the challenges presented by the proposed fiscal year 2018 budget and organizational restructuring, along with the intransigency of bringing stability and economic growth to fragile states. Consideration will be given to bilateral and multilateral approaches and working collaboratively with private philanthropy and the private sector. It will consider opportunities to advance and revisit important initiatives and reforms of the past two decades.
The discussion will be guided by three overarching goals: (1) to assess areas of development assistance that are most vulnerable; (2) to discuss whether reforms or other funding sources could mitigate the risks; and (3) to identify policy and advocacy opportunities to minimize damage from budget cuts and strengthen U.S. economic development assets.
Agenda
SESSION I: Overview and priorities
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
Recent administrations have deployed economic assistance in important and diverse ways. U.S. foreign economic and development policies are used to advance three core national interests—keeping America safe, growing American and global prosperity, and representing American values. Should the current balance between the three objectives be altered to reflect a changing world? Should the U.S. continue to exercise leadership on global development issues, and if so, how?
Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala
Nonresident Distinguished Fellow - Global Economy and Development, Africa Growth Initiative
John Hardman
President and CEO (retired) - The Carter Center
Don Kerrick
Lieutenant General (retired) - United States Army
Session II: Resources
Wednesday, August 2, 2017
The administration’s budget not only calls for extreme budget cuts to international affairs, but also proposes to eliminate entire programs such as the development assistance account and climate change policies. It would substantially reduce funding for other programs, including U.N. peacekeeping. In what areas would budget cuts be most problematic for U.S. national interests? In what areas would budget cuts be feasible, or even beneficial? Are there alternative modes of financing that would mitigate the impact of budget cuts, such as moving from grants and subsidies to guarantees and loans?
Laura Tyson
Distinguished Professor of the Graduate School, Professor Emeritus, Haas School of Business - University of California, Berkeley
Donna E. Shalala
Former Secretary - Department of Health and Human Services
Session III: Institutional structure
Thursday, August 3, 2017
All agencies must send an agency reorganization plan to the Office of Management and Budget in September that streamlines operations and reduces staffing. The administration is reported to be considering the merger of USAID into the State Department, and abolishing OPIC, USTDA, and USIP. Alternative proposals include consolidating economic assistance programs into a single development agency and creating a development finance bank. What are the pros and cons of merging the State Department and USAID? Are there structural changes that would make economic assistance programs more effective and coherent? What are the principles and objectives that should guide bureaucratic restructuring?
George Ingram
Senior Fellow - Global Economy and Development, Center for Sustainable Development
Carolyn Miles
Chief Executive Officer - Save the Children
Ray Offenheiser
Distinguished Professor of Practice - Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame
Robert A. Mosbacher, Jr.
Former President and CEO - Overseas Private Investment Corporation
John Feeley
Ambassador to Panama - United States Department of State
Session IV: Approaches to fragility
Thursday, August 3, 2017
Security and development interests intersect in fragile states. Neither can be achieved without the other. It is estimated that by 2030, 80 percent of extreme global poverty will be in fragile states, from just 20 percent in 2005. How can we identify and address the root causes of fragility and sustain engagement over the long-term? Can we respect local ownership and local institutions when they are weak? If development, diplomacy, and defense each bring assets to the task, how can we break down silos and create a whole-of-government approach?
Nancy Lindborg
President and CEO - The David & Lucile Packard Foundation
Former President - United States Institute of Peace
Stephen J. Hadley
Principal - RiceHadleyGates
Neal Keny-Guyer
Chief Executive Officer - Mercy Corps
Matt Trevithick
Managing Partner - SREO Consulting
Session V: Multilateral institutions and collaboration
Friday, August 4, 2017
The United States was an organizer and charter member of many multilateral organizations, but now appears to be stepping back from its leadership role. The multilateral system is showing signs of stress. Are multilateral approaches and solutions relevant to current challenges? Is U.S. leadership of the existing multilateral development system needed, and is it important for U.S. national interests? How can the U.S. best advance multilateral reform to improve effectiveness?
Jane Nelson
Nonresident Senior Fellow - Global Economy and Development, Center for Sustainable Development
Mary Robinson
Chair - The Elders
President - Mary Robinson Foundation - Climate Justice
Former President of Ireland
Session VI: Next steps
Friday, August 4, 2017
Traditional U.S. global development leadership is challenged by the policies of an administration with an America First and a hard-power agenda. Public opinion is also divided on how large a role the U.S. should take abroad and if aid can be effective in solving complex global problems. What steps can be taken to ensure that budget and structural outcomes effectively advance U.S. development interests? What should an effective policy and communication strategy look like? What coalitions are needed?
Ann Mei Chang
Former Chief Innovation Officer - U.S. Agency for International Development
Author - "Lean Impact: How to Innovate for Radically Greater Social Good"
Former Brookings Expert
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