CWS on US Diplomacy and Development Analysis
From "Lesley Crosson" <lcrosson@churchworldservice.org>Date Thu, 16 Dec 2010 18:15:34 -0500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 16, 2010 U.S. review hits target on poverty, food security but misses NGO partnership role, says Church World Service NEW YORK – International humanitarian agency Church World Service welcomes the release of the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, the Obama administration's comprehensive analysis of U.S. diplomacy and development work, as a necessary tool in global efforts to fight hunger and poverty. But CWS also voiced concern over the review’s failure to reflect the vital role of non-governmental aid agencies as partners with United States Agency for International Development (USAID). "This milestone report, the first real look at U.S. diplomatic and development efforts in the last 50 years, provides a sharper focus for the U.S. government as it seeks to alleviate poverty and provide food security for the world's most vulnerable," said CWS Executive Director and CEO John L. McCullough. "It is encouraging to see development being elevated as a key component of U.S. diplomatic efforts," McCullough said Dec. 16, following yesterday’s release of the review, which he said overall was positive. Still, McCullough expressed CWS concern and disappointment about several issues, including the fact that the review fails to clarify the authority and accountability for the U.S. Global Climate Change Initiative. But the key concern, McCullough said, is that the review does not sufficiently note the role of non-governmental organizations like Church World Service as full partners in global efforts to fight hunger and poverty – a point also raised by InterAction, the largest alliance of U.S.-based international humanitarian groups. "Our concern is that, while the review recognizes the role of non-state actors like Church World Service and other InterAction members, it does not include them in the list of potential partners for alleviating hunger and poverty globally," McCullough said. As InterAction noted in its reaction to the report: "NGOs play a crucial role in building local capacity, leveraging billions of dollars in private resources, and should be seen as a potential strategic partner of the U.S. government." Through its CROP Hunger Walks and other efforts, including grants and public donations, Church World Service raises tens of millions of dollars annually, support which has a demonstratively powerful impact on fighting global and domestic hunger and poverty. “Given the Obama administration's new approach and commitment to development and diplomacy, we hope that the contributions of NGOs, whose work is supported by millions of Americans, will be recognized and that partnerships with groups like Church World Service are strengthened," McCullough said. Another concern for CWS, McCullough said, is that the State Department's "ultimate control and budget power could mean that diplomatic and 'strategic' interests will too often take precedence over long-term poverty reduction. Not that this would be new, but a more independent USAID would help strengthen the focus on authentic and sustainable poverty reduction and self-reliance." McCullough praised the review's emphasis on lifting up the role of women and girls as participants in development programs. However, he added that a needed priority for all development and humanitarian work that was not specifically mentioned as a focus for the review is the importance of providing nutrition in the first 1,000 days – roughly the first three years – of a child's life. Ensuring food security as well as early nutrition is a bottom-line requirement for tomorrow’s generation, he said. CWS praised the administration’s commitment to strengthen the United States Agency for International Development and to elevate its role as the lead U.S. government agency in promoting global development work. "It is also encouraging to see President Obama’s Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative, called Feed the Future, being based at USAID," said McCullough, noting that the moves will help empower USAID, making U.S. aid efforts more effective globally. "It is disappointing, though, that it might not be until 2012 that the Global Health Initiative will be based within USAID." McCullough commended the review for its focus on global "best practices" that include "high-impact" development programs that have broad government and popular support in the countries where USAID works. McCullough also praised the review's wisdom that protection of refugees and other displaced people, as well as dissidents and marginalized people, should be a core effort of U.S. diplomacy. CWS provides protection programs for displaced people globally and resettles refugees to the United States. Church World Service, with more than 60 years experience in disaster response and refugee resettlement, is a global humanitarian relief and development agency supported by Christian denominations in the United States. CWS is a member of the ACT Alliance. Media Contacts Lesley Crosson, (212) 870-2676, media@churchworldservice.org Jan Dragin - 24/7 - (781) 925-1526, jdragin@gis.net Church World Service 475 Riverside Drive New York, NY 10115 (212) 870-2676