Public Policy & Advocacy Briefs/Reports

As organizations working to end poverty and respond to emergencies around the world, we write to strongly urge you to support the Senate’s fiscal year 2013 overall funding level for the International Affairs Budget in order to protect its poverty-focused accounts throughout all upcoming budget negotiations, including negotiations to avert or delay the sequester.

 Since 2009 the United States has shown remarkable leadership in the fight against poverty, hunger, and malnutrition through agriculture-led growth. The leadership of President Obama, Secretary Clinton, Administrator Shah, Senators Leahy and Graham, and Congresswomen Granger and Lowey has helped reverse two decades of declining investments in agriculture and nutrition worldwide. The 2012 G8 summit at Camp David highlighted both progress made since the G8 L’Aquila pledge of 2009 and the remaining challenges that prevent the world’s billion hungry people from meeting their own food and nutrition needs.The launch of the ‘New Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition,’ a commitment by G8 nations, African countries and private sector partners to lift 50 million people out of poverty over the next 10 years through inclusive and sustained agricultural growth, is one attempt to address these challenges with additional private sector investment. While additional private sector participation and partnership is vital, the New Alliance cannot deliver on sustainable poverty reduction goals until the following recommendations are incorporated:Fulfill and sustain public investments;Aim investments and policies at small-scale producers;Involve civil society as leaders;Hold private sector actors accountable for responsible investment;Include gender equity, nutrition, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience as priority outcomes.

This week's edition includes an update on the Water for the World Act and FY2013 federal budget appropriations, a summary of a hearing on renewing the African Growth and Opportunity Act, and the usual list of upcoming hearings and recommended articles. 

On Wednesday, the forum began with a session on the future of development assistance. Panelists from the government, private sector, and academia answered questions regarding the changing nature of development. Topics open for discussion included aid effectiveness, the appropriate use of limited resources, recent successes in development, and public-private partnerships.