U.S. Foreign Assistance Should Help Create Conditions Under Which Aid No Longer Necessary

The Hill: Trump’s nominee to lead USAID has the right philosophy on international aid
Lester Munson, vice president, international, at BGR Group and adjunct faculty at Johns Hopkins University

“…[President Trump’s nominee for USAID administrator, Mark Green,] is trying to put himself out of a job. … Creating the conditions under which foreign assistance is no longer necessary puts both American compassion and pragmatism to work. … I offer four ideas for country-specific engagement that I believe are required to help create the conditions under which foreign assistance can put itself out of business, turn aid to trade, make all of us safer, and free up and focus our resources where they are needed most. First, we must encourage meaningful, country-specific engagement from the beginning of the process. … Second, we need to build up the capacity of local governments and institutions. … Third, we must factor in a transition strategy that ensures a strong commitment to partnership with the U.S. … [Finally, a]ll of the above must be part of a coherent global development strategy with clear goals and metrics, so that we learn more about what we are doing right, based upon goals, data, and experience…” (7/31).

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