Focus on the Future
The world has changed dramatically since the United States launched its international development assistance programs more than 60 years ago. The current geopolitical era has ushered in a time of interdependent issues that can only be solved by global solutions.
Problems of environmental degradation, world food security and economic crisis can be most effectively addressed by focusing on poverty reduction.
Despite shrinking budgets and unpredictable economies, support for international development assistance and broader policies to promote development is on the rise globally. Partnership among donor nations, nonprofits and the private sector is the new model of effectively addressing the root causes of abject poverty and unstable communities.
To meet the challenges of today’s global realities, InterAction launched a participatory strategic planning process in September 2006. This led the organization to streamline its efforts and refocus relief and development assistance programs on new development challenges. Today, much of the debate has shifted from “What is wrong with current policy?” to “What is the future of foreign aid?” In fact, the development community is well ahead of the foreign affairs community in articulating a new vision for U.S. foreign assistance. InterAction has successfully led the charge to ensure that NGOs, the primary implementers of foreign aid, are at the table for all discussions regarding the future of U.S. aid.
As we look to the next 25 years, InterAction is committed to a deliberate focus on creating public awareness of the collective impact and effectiveness of the international NGO sector through our core strengths as:
A CONVENER
We will build on our convening power to create strategic alliances between our community and global leaders. Our goal is to move beyond providing input to making sure that the international NGO community has a seat at the table and a voice in global decision-making forums.
A MOBILIZER
This is the time for us to harness our collective strength as the key stakeholder in international relief and development. Partnering with a broader group of international actors, we will advance a comprehensive people-centered strategy—reducing poverty while achieving economic growth, and creating stable societies to reduce humanitarian crises.
A THOUGHT LEADER
Based on decades of experience, we know that poverty cannot be isolated and that any effective development strategy must have poverty eradication as its underlying goal. We will create a leading position for our community by playing a key role in shaping global dialogue on key issues such as aid effectiveness, U.S. foreign assistance reform and the protection of NGO space.
