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SUNY/CID: Connecting People and Ideas for Integrated Development James Utermark Acting Director Center for International Development US Government Democracy & Governance Programs – An Implementer’s Perspective
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What is Democracy Promotion? Supporting the spread of democracy as a political system. Key Features: – Elections and electoral processes – Political parties – Judicial reform & Rule of Law – Strengthening Civil Society – Role of Media
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US Democracy Promotion Many agencies involved, each with different missions and interests. Most are grouped under the US State Department – the primary arm of US Foreign Policy Implementation. Some are independent, including one under the US House of Representatives.
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US State Department Department Mission Statement Shape and sustain a peaceful, prosperous, just, and democratic world and foster conditions for stability and progress for the benefit of the American people and people everywhere.
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US State Department Several units involved in Democracy Promotion: – Largest by far is the US Agency for International Development (USAID). – Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights & Labor (DRL) – promotes freedom, democracy & protects human rights. – Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI) – supports political, economic & social reform in the MENA region.
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USAID - USAID Mission - Partnering to end extreme poverty and to promote resilient, democratic societies while advancing security and prosperity. Started in 1961 under the Foreign Assistance Act – Folded into the State Department in 2006 Large, multifaceted development programs across many sectors.
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USAID Forward New Initiative begun in 2009 Strengthen foreign assistance performance Increased emphasis on technology, innovation, and achievement of measureable results Increased emphasis on local partnerships – Goal of 30% of funding going to local organizations
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USAID DRG Strategy DRG – Democracy, Human Rights & Governance Introduced in June 2013 Designed to strengthen USAID’s ability to advance freedom and dignity around the world Emphasis on transparency & accountability
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USAID DRG Strategy Less emphasis on stand-alone programs More cross-sectoral initiatives – maximize funding – how governance can improve results in other sectors More focus on the “demand side” of democracy More support for Civil Society Less emphasis on building strong institutions
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Other D&G Promotion Actors MCC – Millennium Challenge Corporation – created in 2004 to fund good performing countries OPIC – Overseas Private Investment Corporation – mobilizes private capital to facilitate development NDI – National Democratic Institute IRI – International Republican Institute
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US Congress House Democracy Partnership (HDP) Bi-Partisan Commission established in 2005 Works with 16 nations Supports the development of effective, independent & responsive legislative institutions Includes Afghanistan & Georgia
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SUNY/CID
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SUNY/CID – The Basics Started in 1986 as the SUNY International Development Division Over $300 million in projects implemented Work in over 40 Countries on 5 Continents In 2007, transferred to Rockefeller College of Public Affairs and Policy – one of the top schools of public administration in the US Leading implementer of legislative strengthening programs
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SUNY/CID – Mission The State University of New York's Center for International Development is a leading university based international development center enhancing the knowledge and practice of governance and policy making world wide.
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SUNY/CID – What we do Broad-based international development organization Focus on Democracy and Governance programs Highly successful in Legislative Strengthening Expanding into Local Governance, Civil Society Strengthening, Rule of Law, Public Administration and Policy Development
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SUNY/CID – Where we do it Over 40 Countries – A to Z Current Projects in: – Bosnia & Herzegovina – Cote d’Ivoire – Kenya Devolution Parliamentary Strengthening Funding from USAID, UK’s DfID and Ford Foundation
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SUNY/CID – Our Approach Integrated Development Five Pillars: – Attention to local context and institutional incentives – Empowerment of local networks – Cross-disciplinary cooperation – Capacity building through pilots & experiments – Sustainability through learning
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Other Initiatives Study Tours – SUNY/CID has implemented myriad study visits to locations far and wide Research – Constituency Development Funds (CDFs) – Publications – Academic Programs Internships International Senate Fellowship Art Sist Fellowship
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Success Stories Kenya – 15 years working with Parliament Brazil – major program to train government staff – lead to creation of International Institute of Education Brazil (IIEB) Chile – Creation of CEAL Zimbabwe – Creation of SAPST Uganda – PRIP Internship Program
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Contact James Utermark Acting Director Center for International Development 99 Pine Street, 4 th Floor Albany, New York 12207 +1-518-443-4124 www.cid.suny.edu
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Questions? Thank you!
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