DAI News

Winter Issue of "Developments" Now Available

Thu, 26 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

The fall/winter issue of Developments is now available.

Heading up a team in one of the most challenging environments in the world, Suleiman Mohamed and Zaki Raheem are creating ambitious economic growth solutions in Somaliland, a semi-autonomous region of Somalia, for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Mohamed and Raheem write about the broad initiatives of the project—called the Partnership for Economic Growth—which include improving the region’s business environment, building a framework for energy regulation, increasing agricultural productivity, enhancing the livestock value chain, and promoting investment. The project works entirely through partnerships with Somaliland’s governance structures and its dynamic private sector.

Inside the issue, the focus is largely on DAI’s work in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). In a Q&A, DAI Jordan Managing Director Jamal Al-Jabiri answers questions about the development effects of the ongoing Arab Spring, the investment climate in Jordan, and the MENA region’s most pressing need: jobs.

Next is an article on one of our most successful MENA projects—the USAID-funded Fiscal Reform Project II in Jordan. This project has literally written the book on improving government effectiveness in Jordan. Authors Steve Rozner and Eunice Heredia-Ortiz write about how the project has been able to exceed its objectives despite political uncertainty in the region due to the Arab Spring.

DAI’s information and communications specialists Krista Baptista and Joshua Haynes (who now works as a USAID fellow on Internet freedom initiatives) reflect on the use of social media in the Arab Spring—specifically in Tunisia and Libya— and, more importantly, on the use of social media in civil society strengthening going forward.

In Lebanon, DAI’s work in the water sector faces a pressing challenge: a lack of skilled water workers. USAID’s Lebanon Water and Wastewater Sector Support Program—implemented by DAI—is addressing this issue by training existing utility staff in areas such as business planning, finance and accounting, project management, computer literacy, and the operation and maintenance of utility equipment. The program also supports the utilities by funding and implementing business-process integration platforms that automate processes and improve resource allocation.

Also in MENA, leading water specialist Peter Reiss describes how one of our newest projects, the Further Advancing the Blue Revolution Initiative (FABRI), will build on the momentum of its predecessor project to catalyze new partnerships, approaches, and technologies in the arena of water resources, while Chuck Coon reports on a promising workforce development initiative by the USAID-funded Morocco Economic Competitiveness Program.

Writing from Sub-Saharan Africa, Christian Stolz discusses how our security sector reform project in the Democratic Republic of the Congo helped conduct a much-needed census of the police force—a vital first step in a U.K. Department for International Development program to improve security sector accountability in this troubled nation. Similarly focused on demand-driven approaches to improve public services, Barbara Seligman writes from Bangladesh on a citizen scorecard initiative that has boosted accountability and mitigated corruption in the health sector.

From the CEO’s desk, Jim Boomgard makes the case for local capacity development but takes issue with recent U.S. Government definitions of what exactly constitutes a “local” company. In describing the roots of locally run and DAI-majority-owned ECIAfrica, which may be excluded from bidding on local USAID procurements under the new rules, he writes: “ECI is precisely the kind of local capacity-building venture that Americans should be nurturing: the DAI/ECI model demonstrates the commitment of the U.S. private sector to building local capacity, ensures that U.S. taxpayer-funded development dollars are spent accountably, and allows development best practices learned globally to be applied locally rather than reinventing the wheel.”

And finally, in the DAIdeas publication that accompanies this issue of Developments, we return to Somalia and look at one of the country’s most high-profile problems: maritime piracy. Approaching piracy as a land problem, stability specialist Duncan Varda offers a combination of four substantive solutions to address the problem.

To view Developments, click here. For a print copy or to be added to our print mailing list, please email Danielle Jaffee at Danielle_Jaffee@dai.com.

DAI Wins International Business Leadership Award from World Trade Center Institute

Tue, 24 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

DAI has been named a winner in the World Trade Center Institute’s 16^th Annual Maryland International Business Leadership Award program. Represented by CEO Jim Boomgard, DAI was one of seven winners chosen from a pool of 80 independently nominated companies from the state. Winning companies were selected based on their success in international business, growth in revenue and employment, and community involvement.

Bethesda-based DAI—with global offices in London, Ramallah, Amman, Mexico City, Johannesburg, and Islamabad—was also recently named a Devex Top 40 Development Innovator, one of only 10 consulting firms so honored globally.

DAI works in more than 60 countries delivering solutions ranging from reforming the Government of Jordan’s fiscal systems to promoting household nutrition gardens that provide food and income for HIV/AIDS-affected people in Ethiopia and incentivizing water service providers in rural Cambodia to pipe clean water to more customers.

“As a global development company, we live and breathe the challenges of international business and seek to leverage business principles in our mission of shaping a more livable world,” said Boomgard. “On behalf of our employee owners in Maryland and all over the world, I’d like to thank the World Trade Center Institute for this tremendous honor.”

All 2012 International Business Leadership Award winners will be honored March 7 at the Jim Rouse Visionary Center in Baltimore at a ceremony featuring Johns Hopkins University President Ron Daniels, Gov. Martin O’Malley, and nearly 400 top business leaders.

Keep up with DAI by following us on Twitter @DAIGlobal.

Documentary Describes how Project Delivers Clean Water for 1.8 Million Filipinos

Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:00:00 EST

A recently released 15-minute documentary describes how a DAI-led project in the Philippines made it possible for water providers to expand and upgrade their systems, and deliver water services to another 1.8 million people.

The documentary, made by Cinesur Films of Zamboanga for the Philippines Water Revolving Fund project, shows how USAID support was used to mobilize private bank loans to local water services providers, which used the financing to upgrade purification and pumping systems and expand networks to communities that did not have clean, running water.

Previously, the water service providers depended on their own revenue or donor support to undertake capital improvements and system expansions. The project, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), designed a revolving fund mechanism that successfully blended private and public sector funding, and provided sufficient guarantees to catalyze loans from private banks to public water service providers.

“In terms of long-term impact, the result is leading to more people with water, (and) that’s significant,” said Rolf Anderson, Chief of the Office of Energy and Environment for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the Philippines. “It has been fundamentally catalytic and has changed the funding paradigm.”

The program’s first loan—in October 2010 to the Puerto Princesa City Water District for 560 million Philippine pesos, or about US$1.3 million—helped refurbish a system that serves 117,000 people within the municipality. It also supported the development of new water sources, and the expansion of the distribution network to several unserved areas, thereby providing access to 48,000 more people by 2014.

The project has since mobilized around PhP4 billion (US$93 million) in loans for water supply and sanitation projects, of which PhP2.4 billion (US$56 million) came from private commercial banks.

Hundreds of Women and Children in Afghanistan Assisted by Linda Norgrove Foundation

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Linda Norgrove Foundation marked its first year by releasing a list of its accomplishments in Afghanistan, including:

Vaccinations of people in 28 villages against diseases such as measles, polio, whooping cough, and tetanus (cost: £7,500);

Educating women in 15 villages on life-saving birthing skills (cost: £8,433), and;

Gifting children in a Kabul disabled children’s home with toys that encourage sensory learning, as well as new winter clothes, a chicken coop and hens, and 10 locally sourced beds so children would not have to sleep on a cold floor (cost: £4,823).

“We are keen on small-scale projects that donors can identify with and that we can more easily monitor to ensure that the money has been spent as planned,” wrote John and Lorna Norgrove in a letter that accompanied a newsletter from the foundation named for their daughter, Linda Norgrove.

Linda Norgrove, 36, was working for DAI on a job-creation project in eastern Afghanistan when she was abducted September 26, 2010, and she died 12 days later during the course of a rescue attempt. The tragedy inspired the foundation that is dedicated to helping women and children in that country.

Other first-year accomplishments by the foundation include:

Helping fund 250 women in remote communities to learn to read and write with partners Canadian Women for Women in Afghanistan (cost: £14,975);

Building a bread oven to sustain those in a widows’ home in Jalalabad (cost: £529);

Funding tents, equipment, and English lessons for guides for a tourism business in the remote Wakhan corridor (cost: £3,486), and;

Building and furnishing a counseling room in a safe house for abused women and children (cost: £11,025).

The Norgroves reported that the foundation’s first-year administrative costs were less than £1,700. DAI is assisting the foundation inside Afghanistan to identify suitable projects and help with the delivery of funds.

“We have found Afghanistan to be a difficult place to work because of the pace of change, the complicated politics, and the security situation,” John and Lorna Norgrove wrote in their letter. “At first we didn’t seem to be getting anywhere but, as time has passed, we’ve found our feet and have now made good progress identifying projects that fit with our requirements of making a real difference whilst avoiding aid dependency as much as possible.”

Linda Norgrove spent her career trying to help the less fortunate. To learn more about the Linda Norgrove Foundation including how to contribute, click here.

Arrest Underscores DAI's Support of USAID, Afghan Authorities in Fighting Corruption

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

On December 20 the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in Kabul, Afghanistan, announced the arrest of Din Mohammad Ramin on a charge of bribery. An Afghan citizen, Ramin, 26, allegedly solicited and received a one-time payment of $3,000 and promise of an additional $1,500 in exchange for directing a grant to a project beneficiary in Laghman Province. Ramin was an employee for the USAID-funded Afghanistan Small and Medium Enterprise Development (ASMED) project being implemented by DAI, which has terminated Ramin’s employment.

DAI applauds the efforts of the Afghan National Police and investigators from the Afghan Attorney General’s Anti Corruption Unit, who made the arrest after working in collaboration with the USAID Office of the Inspector General (USAID OIG), which was informed of the potential crime when it was discovered by DAI.

Mike Walsh, DAI’s Chief Ethics and Compliance Officer, said the discovery of the crime and ensuing arrest is a testament to DAI’s unwavering commitment to integrity in every phase of its operations, identifying incidents of fraud, waste and abuse by bad actors, and, when found, eliminating these misdeeds in full collaboration with USAID OIG and local authorities.

“The vast majority of DAI staff in Afghanistan are ethical professionals dedicated to the development of the country, but we are committed to rooting out corruption where it does occur,” Walsh said. “We are proud that our vigilance unearthed this particular instance of corruption in the field and pleased that our open and collaborative relationship with the Office of the Inspector General ensured that the perpetrator was brought to justice. This scheme was brought to light by DAI's practice of requiring grantees to commit in writing that they will notify DAI in the event anyone representing DAI requests kickbacks, commissions, or gifts in support of an award. We encourage other development organizations to adopt similar measures.”

ASMED is one of USAID’s and DAI’s flagship development projects in Afghanistan, since 2006 encouraging the establishment and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises across the country. Among its many achievements, ASMED is credited with helping generate more than 100,000 jobs and leverage more than $104 million in new investment in staple Afghan business sectors such as carpet, marble, gemstones, and agribusiness. The project has also coordinated internships and vocational training for thousands of young Afghans and helped establish or strengthen numerous professional organizations and business service providers.

Afghanistan Agriculture Ministry Launches Knowledge Management Facility

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

The Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock this week launched a dynamic database that will inform farmers and businesses of the latest prices, news, and trends in Afghan agriculture.

The new Knowledge Management Facility will integrate and archive agricultural data in a single repository, consolidate existing data into more reliable, understandable, and useful products, and disseminate agriculture-related information.

The facility—named “PAYWAND” after the Dari word for “connection” and, in agriculture, “grafting”—will be based within the ministry. Among PAYWAND’s data offerings: historical price data from different commodities and markets within and outside Afghanistan, trade flows of agricultural products, and reports about agriculture markets generated by a variety of sources. PAYWAND can be accessed at http://paywand.mail.gov.af as is available in Dari, Pashto, and English.

PAYWAND will also capitalize on data generated by several development projects, ensuring the sustainability of the database and, most importantly, transforming data into information products targeted to different audiences to help ensure sound agribusiness decisions.

The database was established by the ministry in collaboration with the Afghanistan Agricultural Credit Enhancement (ACE) Program that is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

ACE, a five-year project being implemented by DAI, facilitates access to credit for commercial farmers and related businesses through local financial institutions and industry organizations. ACE and the ministry collaboratively manage a $100 million USAID grant and provide technical assistance in accountable agricultural lending for both lenders and borrowers. Experts in agriculture, irrigation, and livestock from the ministry and DAI also provide strategic technical support to farmers and other businesses connected to agriculture.

Hundreds of Thousands View Award-Winning Movie on Deforestation in the Philippines

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:00:00 EST

On November 28, a DAI-led partnership was presented a Finalist Award at the Philippine Quill Awards ceremony for the creation of Tanim, a 60-second movie highlighting the effects of deforestation.

As part of the United Nations International Year of Forests, the movie—a product of the DAI-implemented Philippines Environmental Governance Phase II Project (EcoGov2)—was shown in 16 theatres in different metro areas prior to the screenings of major films, including blockbusters such as Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. It is estimated that the cinema advocacy reached 800,000 viewers.

In the short film, the viewer envisages—through the eyes of two children, Flora and Gorio—a time when the polluted river shown on screen was clean and its surroundings lush with plants and animals. Flora recounts how human neglect and deforestation led to biodiversity loss and contributed to contamination, flooding, and displacement of families along the river.

One solution promoted by the film is reforestation as a good practice in managing watersheds. When Flora and Gorio learn they can help by planting trees, the scene transforms into a vibrant forest, encouraging public awareness and social responsibility.

The concept was envisioned in 2010 by the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded project and developed into a partnership with investments from leading business corporations Smart Communications, SM Super Malls, SM Cinema, local animation studio Goriotik Multimedia, and support from the Philippines Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

The annual award is the Philippine's most prestigious recognition for business communicators and is organized by the International Association of Business Communicators (IABC) Philippines, a chapter of the U.S.-based IABC.

Off the screen, Smart Communications created live Flora and Gorio mascots who continue to host a series of road shows in SM Supermalls, schools, and major urban centers to generate support for forest protection. Mall-goers have the opportunity to participate in tree planting and nurturing programs offered by Smart Communications and the Philippine Tropical Forest Conservation Foundation. The film and its characters were also leveraged by the Marikina Watershed Initiative, a public-private partnership formed in the wake of Typhoon Ondoy in 2009 to help protect, reforest, and rehabilitate the Marikina Watershed outside of metro Manila.

The film encapsulated EcoGov2’s ridge-to-reef approach by highlighting the effects of deforestation throughout the watershed and on beneficiaries downstream. Watersheds provide ecosystem services through the supply of water, energy, food, economic livelihoods, recreation, and culture—essentially serving as a life support system that needs to be managed sustainably.

Over the past seven years, EcoGov2 used this integrated ecosystem approach in collaboration with more than 100 local governments in the Philippines to better manage forests and forestlands, coastal areas, municipal solid waste, and wastewater. As a result, in addition to catalytic partnerships with governments and the private sector, the project has exceeded targets and improved management for 293,536 hectares of natural forests and 128,719 hectares of coastal areas, established 30 marine sanctuaries, encouraged solid waste management practices and public investments in municipal waste water treatment, and strengthened environmental governance by these local governments.

Hospital Turned Over to Local Control in Conflict-Plagued Eastern Sri Lanka

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

A milestone was achieved November 22 in conflict-plagued eastern Sri Lanka when a recently built, three-ward medical complex was handed over to local district authorities. The 72-bed complex—comprised of male, female, and maternity wards—is now being operated by the Karadiyanaru Divisional Hospital in Chenkalady, Batticaloa District, and catering to the needs of 60,000 area residents.

“The people of this area are very poor. They are affected by natural disasters and in various other ways,” said Dr. S. Sathurmugan, the Regional Director of Health Services. “This is a great service to them, and through this support we can uplift the heath care standards of the entire district.”

The complex also includes a mini surgical theater, an incinerator, and furniture. It was built by the Reintegration and Stabilization in the East and North (RISEN) project, an initiative funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented by DAI. The medical complex itself was funded by the U.S. Pacific Command of the Department of Defense.

A large crowd of local residents, many of whom had already received treatment and service from the medical complex, came to attend the handover ceremony. K. Kanapathi, a resident of Karadiyanaru, said her area has been prone to natural disasters, including the December 2004 tsunami, and has suffered through years of civil unrest. Such a facility, she said, could have saved lives in the past.

“Once there was a time when pregnant women gave birth to children on the road,” Kanapathi said. “We have lost many valuable lives due to lack of proper medical care. Our problem was seen by the American people. You have given us a good district hospital and we are grateful.”

Army Captain Daniel Gomez, representing the U.S. Pacific Command, said that through this intervention the United States expects the Government of Sri Lanka to be better able to provide health care services to conflict-affected communities.

“Good health care services help create a safe and secure environment,” Gomez said. “Once their health care needs are taken care of, communities can go on to improve other aspects of their lives, including basic livelihoods.”

RISEN launched in 2009 in the wake of 25 years of Sri Lankan civil war. The project promotes stability and improves security by reintegrating former combatants into civil society, especially at-risk youth, and building the Sri Lankan government’s capacity to do so. The project also expands access to reliable news and information.

Alex Trebek, VIPs Urge Innovators to Compete for Funding to Improve Global Literacy

Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

Global donors urged innovators worldwide last week to compete for $7.5 million in newly available funding by submitting ideas to increase literacy among the world’s neediest children. Funding applications are due January 31.

“All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development” is being presented by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), Australian Aid, and World Vision, with support from the U.S. Department of Education.

The “All Children Reading” challenge follows this summer’s “Saving Lives at Birth” challenge that attracted 600 ideas, mostly from the developing world, for protecting newborns and their mothers. Nineteen of those were awarded seed funding, while three projects—for distributing antiseptics in Nepal, testing for HIV and syphilis in Rwanda, and utilizing mobile technology in Ghana—were nominated to receive funds to scale up current operations.

USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah said that “All Children Reading,” like its predecessor, is determined to benefit people in communities that most lack opportunities or resources. “Technology, innovation, science, and insights gleaned from around the world can unlock a tremendous amount of human progress,” Shah said.

DAI is supporting USAID’s Office of Science and Technology in its strategy and implementation of the Grand Challenges for Development competitions.

About 800 people packed into the Ronald Reagan Building theater for the November 18 event, which was hosted by Alex Trebek, a longtime World Vision supporter and host of the “Jeopardy” TV quiz show.

“There is always a great thirst for knowledge among young people,” said Trebek, who has traveled to numerous countries on behalf of World Vision. “They want to learn; they want to develop. This will provide a bit of hope to people who are not able to read right now.”

Also endorsing the project were U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, Kent Hill of World Vision, astronaut Leland Melvin of NASA, Graham Fletcher of the Embassy of Australia, Gene Sperling of the National Economic Council, U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra, and USAID’s Nisha Biswal.

“Literacy is one basic skill that opens door after door,” said U.S. Congresswoman Nita Lowey. “Reading is the pathway to education, and education is a cornerstone of free and stable societies.”

For more information on the Grand Challenges literacy program and to apply for funding, click here.

DAI Supports Honduran Youth Empowerment Group with Donation

Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

DAI caps off its 2011 Community Engagement Program with a $10,000 grant to OYE Honduras, a community-based, youth-led organization that develops the leadership and capacity of at-risk Honduran youth.

OYE (Organization for Youth Empowerment) was founded in 2005 by Justin Eldridge-Otero and Ana Luisa Ahern, two Honduran-Americans who spent many years volunteering with youth in El Progreso, witnessing firsthand the challenges facing them. As a critical first step, they started a scholarship program to help students who would otherwise be denied an education due to economic barriers. They quickly saw that access to a formal education was just the beginning and developed an integrated leadership curriculum that is now broken up into three programs: Youth Capacity Building and Leadership, Community Engagement, and Institutional Strengthening.

OYE's mission dovetails with DAI's goal of capacity building and giving citizens the tools they need to improve their own livelihoods. The selection of OYE for this grant also creates an opportunity for DAI employees working in Honduras for the U.S. Agency for International Development's ProParque project, to engage with their own local community. The ProParque project focuses on sustainable economic growth, biodiversity conservation, and global climate change mitigation.

"All of us at OYE are thrilled and excited about DAI's generous support of our work in Honduras," said Ahern, OYE Co-Founder. "This Community Engagement Program grant is a true blessing and will help our programs in Honduras grow and thrive. We are looking forward to what I am sure will be a fruitful and mutually beneficial collaboration."

"The most impressive aspect of OYE's work is how involved the program's graduates become," said Kristi Ragan, Chair of DAI's Community Engagement Program and Chief of Party for USAID's Grand Challenges for Development project. "They stick around and use what they learned to help the organization continue to empower other youths and strengthen their communities."

The DAI Community Engagement Program's mission is to support youth and empowerment in the places we work. One of the first recipients of the year-old program was in DAI's backyard and headquarters home, Washington, D.C. In 2010, we gave $25,000 to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, a public high school whose rigorous academic standards are embodied in a curriculum including Instrumental Music, Literary Media & Communication, Museum Studies, Theater, Technical Design and Production, Vocal Music, and Visual Arts. Our donation helped offset the school's operating deficit, secure additional arts training, and support the cost of 25 students in their first-ever international performance in France and Monaco this past summer.

DAI Europe has a New Address

Fri, 11 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

DAI Europe has a new address. Due to growth in DAI's international business, DAI Europe has moved to new office space in London.

The new address is:

2nd Floor
63 Gee Street
London, EC1V 3RS

Phone: +44 (0) 207 420 8600

Twitter: @DAIGlobal

DAI Europe provides international development and transition consulting services to bilateral and multilateral donors, governments, and private sector clients throughout the world.

Grand Challenge to Boost Literacy Kicks Off with Star-Packed Event

Thu, 10 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

On November 18, The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the nonprofit organization World Vision will launch All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development, with support from the DAI-implemented Grand Challenges for Development project.

The event will kickstart a focused and incentivized effort to maximize the power of the global crowd to address the fact that one in four people in the world today cannot read—and numerous students are finishing primary school without basic literacy skills. USAID Administrator Raj Shah will be joined at the event by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Rep. Nita Lowey (D-NY), Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra, Sesame Street's Elmo, and Master of Ceremonies Alex Trebek, host of TV game show "Jeopardy."

All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development invites innovators from around the world to develop solutions that enable reading and overcome barriers to literacy. By leveraging the power of research, capitalizing on innovation, catalyzing partnerships, and increasing the use of science, technology, and 21st century infrastructure, the initiative expects to achieve substantial global impacts in early grade reading. The challenge is a multiyear initiative beginning with the launch, and DAI will work with USAID to engage the community of solvers throughout the lifetime of the challenge.

All Children Reading will also introduce a new group that individuals are invited to join: Mobiles for Reading. Mobiles for Reading is a community dedicated to the use of mobile technology to improve outcomes in reading, particularly in the early grades. The group will host events, discussions, and activities devoted to the use of mobile technology to promote literacy.

To learn more about All Children Reading, visit allchildrenreading.org or follow #AllChildrenReading on Twitter.

Grand Challenges are definable, quantifiable goals that can be achieved over a specified time frame. A priority of Administrator Shah, the challenges incentivize problem solving and promote partnerships to enact transformational, scalable, and sustainable change. DAI will help USAID to define the Grand Challenges for Development and also work with the innovation team in USAID's Office of Science and Technology to launch new incentive models, such as prizes, to find nontraditional approaches to problem solving.

This initiative builds on work completed by DAI under the Global Development Commons component of the Global Development Alliance program. In particular, the Grand Challenges for Development initiative extends learnings from USAID's Development 2.0 Challenge, which uses prize competitions to spur innovation.

The Grand Challenges for Development initiative garnered considerable buzz around the first Grand Challenge: Saving Lives at Birth. More than 600 proposals were submitted for the Saving Lives at Birth Challenge, and more than 150 came from organizations based in developing countries.

Stay tuned for future Grand Challenges, including Powering Agriculture and More Drops per Crop.

Partnership with Somaliland's Private Sector Aims to Lay Foundation for Growth, Stability

Tue, 08 Nov 2011 12:00:00 EST

For more than 20 years, efforts to end civil conflict and lawlessness in southern and central Somalia have been unsuccessful—yet the northern autonomous region of Somaliland enjoys relative peace and stability. Somaliland seceded from Somalia in 1991 and, though not internationally recognized, has managed to establish functioning governance structures and a vibrant private sector that has facilitated investment in sectors from livestock export to telecommunications and remittance distribution.

In summer 2011, an assessment team led by DAI and supported by our partners CNFA and AISDevelopment evaluated the private sector in Somaliland as the initial activity of the Partnership for Economic Growth, the U.S. Agency for International Development’s first economic development project in Somalia in 20 years. The Partnership is working with a broad range of government authorities and private sector actors to strengthen weak links and improve investment opportunities in Somaliland’s most productive and promising industries: agriculture and livestock. The program is also improving access to business development services, especially for women entrepreneurs, and developing regulatory policies to improve business opportunities and attract more investment.

The Partnership for Economic Growth is exactly that—a partnership. Together with Somaliland’s government and dynamic private sector, we are committed to promoting growth and stability through the following initiatives.

Strengthening institutions whose weakness constrains the business-enabling environment. Although free markets usually fare better with streamlined and simplified government regulation, the most pressing need in Somaliland is for stronger central, local, and regional governments to develop a more accessible, more reliable, and free marketplace. Public and private sector stakeholders largely agree that a stronger commercial law framework, with proper safety measures and industry standards, would help bring in new investment and protect existing business assets. Coordinating with other strategic donor efforts, the Partnership is filling critical gaps in Somaliland’s legal and regulatory framework that impede private sector development. The program is also supporting the formalization of a public-private dialogue mechanism to engage stakeholders on these issues.

Improving business planning capacity. Somaliland’s peace and stability has brought increased investment and enticed former residents to return in search of business opportunities. But these optimistic entrepreneurs often fail for want of adequate market research or feasibility studies. The Somaliland National Industry Association reports that 39 of the 54 small and medium businesses on its books were closed as of 2010. The Partnership will help to develop centers for business research at several of Somaliland’s 17 universities, expand academic and testing programs that produce certified graduates in fields such as accounting, and support apprenticeship programs to place business school graduates in traditional and family-owned businesses, which often lack modern management skills.

Promoting investment. Somaliland lacks a mechanism for connecting investors with entrepreneurs and there is a great need for market research to inform potential investors about business opportunities. The Partnership will support the Ministry of Commerce’s nascent Investment Climate Unit and the Somaliland Chamber of Commerce to develop investment promotion strategies including participation in local business fairs, investment conferences, investor tours, and regional Chamber meetings.

Lowering energy costs and improving energy regulations. Somaliland is confronted by dwindling vegetation for cooking fuel, expensive imported petroleum for power generation ($1/kilowatt-hour) and transportation ($1/liter), and a lack of financial mechanisms to explore or invest in new sources of energy. Awareness of energy regulations and energy conservation among businesses, government, and households is low. Solar and wind energy technology is not widely used and expensive where available. A lack of government oversight for energy services deters external/diaspora investment in energy enterprises. Partnering with the Ministry of Energy, the program is helping to create Somaliland’s first legal and regulatory framework to govern the region’s independent electricity producers, suppliers, and distributors. It will also ensure consumers pay fair prices for the electricity they consume and for renewable energy products, such as solar panels and wind generators.

Improving horticulture production to compete with imports. About 70 percent of the Somali people are pastoralists. Crop farmers account for about 25 percent of the population. Most farming activity is small-scale—from 0.5 to 3 hectares—but farms of 20 to 30 hectares are becoming more common. Large volumes of fruits and vegetables are imported from Ethiopia and Somalia. International Trade Centre statistics show 61,000 tons of fruits and vegetables imports, 85 percent of which come from Ethiopia. The Partnership’s assessment shows that Somaliland producers have an opportunity to capture market share from importers, and is working to increase vegetable production and rural incomes in the western Borama region by establishing irrigated demonstration plots with local agriculture universities and agribusinesses, building nurseries where varieties selected from these plots will be multiplied, training extension staff to advise farmers, and creating a business extension unit to provide training in marketing and business skills to farmers, traders, and vendors.

Developing the livestock value chain. Livestock production accounts for 60 to 65 percent of Somaliland’s gross domestic product. Among pastoralists, especially those classified as poor, 50 to 80 percent of their income and 25 to 30 percent of their food comes from livestock sales and products. Livestock value chain challenges include dependence on few countries for export (nearly 80 percent goes to Saudi Arabia), low retail prices due to poor finishing, inadequate provision of livestock extension services, and a need to improve quality control and distribution of veterinary drugs. The Partnership will work with government agencies to improve the regulation of veterinary pharmaceutical imports, train suppliers to recognize authentic medications, and inform consumers on proper use. In Burao, the center for the region’s livestock production, the program will partner with fattening farms to help producers earn more per animal while generating demand for locally grown feed. It will also work with milk marketers—nearly 80 percent of whom are women—to improve handling sanitation: for example, the importance of replacing plastic bottles, which cannot be sterilized, with hygienic aluminum containers.

Ramallah Event Celebrates Contributions of DAI's Said Abu Hijleh

Tue, 18 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST

Officials from ministries and business gathered October 16 in Ramallah to salute Said Abu Hijleh, the outgoing managing director of DAI Palestine whose work opened doors for development in the West Bank and Gaza, boosted businesses, and created jobs, among other accomplishments.

Approximately 100 people attended, including the Minister of National Economy Dr. Hasan Abu Libdeh, Minister of Labor Dr. Ahmad Majdalani, and Minister of Telecommunications Dr. Mashhour Abu Daqqa.

“Said’s efforts have directly led to people working, businesses growing, and opportunities emerging across Palestine,” said Dr. James Boomgard, DAI’s President and CEO. “Such results take a talented team and genuine collaboration, and we are fortunate to have had Said leading the way.”

Mr. Abu Hijleh, who has been at the forefront of DAI’s work in Palestine for 14 years, is leaving DAI to become CEO of the Wassel Group, a distribution and logistics services company serving the region. He is succeeded by Waleed Zaru of Ramallah, a longtime project management executive with DAI whose duties now include supervising DAI Palestine projects such as the Facility for New Market Development and Olive Oil Export Development Project II.

Mr. Mazen Sinokrot, a prominent businessman and former Minister of National Economy, cited the contributions that DAI Palestine and Mr. Abu Hijleh made towards economic development in Palestine, including the introduction and development of economic policies, draft laws, and legislation, and the support of Palestine investment conferences. Dr. Abu Libdeh also described how DAI Palestine overcame impediments to economic development and facilitated public-private partnership and negotiation.

Founded in 1970, employee-owned DAI first worked in Palestine in 1987 on a multinational irrigation support project. It has since performed nearly 40 long- and short-term projects in the territories in sectors such as government accountability and transparency, water resource management, and information and communication technology.

Other guests at the event, held at the Movenpick Hotel in downtown Ramallah, included Jamal Al-Jabiri, the Managing Director of DAI Jordan, as well as DAI Palestine staff and alumni, clients, and local business and government representatives.

Telecom Champion, Former Minister Marwan Juma of Jordan Named to DAI Board

Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST

DAI is delighted to announce that technology executive and champion Marwan Juma of Jordan has accepted an invitation to join DAI’s Board of Directors.

As a driving force behind some of Jordan’s most innovative technology firms and national technology initiatives, Mr. Juma has helped his country emerge as a telecommunications leader in the Middle East.

"Marwan's fresh perspectives, entrepreneurial instincts, and regional insights will invigorate our Board and challenge DAI to bring its very best ideas to the development marketplace," said DAI President and CEO James Boomgard.

“I’m excited to join the Board of one of the world’s leading development firms,” said Mr. Juma. “I look forward to adding value as we drive the company’s strategy globally, and especially as we consider the solutions DAI can bring to the Middle East and North Africa.”

Mr. Juma served as Jordan’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) from December 2009 to February 2011, and in 2005 served on the Royal Steering Committee that developed the country’s social and business reform strategy known as the National Agenda. He was a founding contributor to Jordan’s REACH Initiative, a U.S. Agency for International Development-supported program launched in 1999 to advance Jordan’s nascent ICT sector. The sector has since created nearly 8,000 jobs and attracted more than $79 million in foreign direct investment, with export values totaling more than $47 million.

Mr. Juma is Founder and Chairman of Sama for Integrated Systems, better known as dot.jo, one of the country’s leading web development houses. He previously served as CEO of Xpress Telecommunications, a leading mobile operator, and of Batelco Jordan, the country’s second fixed-line operator and leading data communication provider.

Mr. Juma is former Chairman of the local chapter of the Young Arab Leaders Organization, one of the region’s most prominent youth-focused nongovernmental organizations. He also serves on several boards, including the Jordanian Hashemite Fund for Human Development, Jordan Education Initiative, King Abdullah Award for Excellence in Government Performance and Transparency, and Jordan Commercial Bank.

A longtime advocate for the establishment of a world-class telecom infrastructure in Jordan, Mr. Juma is a supporter of increased private-public partnerships to accelerate the country’s modernization and economic development. He holds an M.B.A. from North Carolina State University in the United States as well as bachelor’s degrees in business management and economics.

USAID's Rajiv Shah Reviews iCow Mobile Application Helping Kenyan Farmers

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST

Kenyan farmers who own just a few cows need to get the most from these precious assets. More than 1,300 farmers throughout Kenya are now receiving SMSs each week with guidance to help them breed, feed, and care for their cows and maximize their health and value.

The SMS messages, delivered to mobile phones by the mobile application iCow, was demonstrated last week for Dr. Rajiv Shah, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), by a beneficiary farmer of the DAI-led Financial Inclusion for Rural Microenterprises project, which is funded by USAID and based in Nairobi. The farmer, Mr. Gitau, described for Dr. Shah how iCow helped him make a 100 percent profit by finding a buyer for his milk.

Sourcing customers is just one of iCow’s services. Its main service thus far has been to facilitate healthy livestock breeding. Farmers who register a cow on iCow are kept abreast of the cow’s estrus cycle, and when to breed the cow and test her for pregnancy. Subscribers also receive regular updates about care during gestation, birthing tips, and information on nutrition. These alerts remove much of the guesswork on breeding, saving farmers time and money and resulting in more efficient breeding and healthier and more valuable animals.

iCow was developed by Su Kahumbu of Green Dreams Limited and launched in June 2011. Funded by a grant from Indigo Trust, Ms. Kahumbu received technical and business support from DAI en route to launching the application. The service costs subscribers approximately 3½ pence per SMS.

iCow also conveys veterinary and market information, helping farmers and related services and buyers in Kenya work together, and sends alerts when diseases such as hoof-and-mouth disease break out in the country. The application is designed to run on both low-end and high-end mobile phones.

Dr. Shah was accompanied on his visit by ambassador Ms. Ertharin Cousin, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations Agencies for Food and Agriculture, and Mr. Jonathan Shrier, Acting Special Representative for Global Food Security, U.S. Department of State.

To see a video on Dr. Shah’s visit, click here.

For a video describing iCow in more depth, click here.

DAI Staff Run to Raise Funds for Norgrove Foundation and Benefit Afghan Women

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST

DAI is following the lead of the Linda Norgrove Foundation by organizing events to mark the first anniversary of our late colleague’s death and raise money for the foundation.

Many DAI staff are participating in a 5-kilometer run/walk on October 8 in Bethesda, Maryland, the same day as the Valtos 10K run in Ms. Norgrove’s native Isle of Lewis, Scotland. Other running events to benefit the foundation are being organized worldwide. DAI staff who are running in the October 30 Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, D.C., are collecting pledges for the foundation from friends and coworkers.

The Linda Norgrove Foundation has raised more than £330,000 to help women and children affected by the war in Afghanistan. It was a cause dear to Ms. Norgrove, who for years worked with dedication on development projects in Laos, Peru, Uganda, and elsewhere to benefit disadvantaged people. She was kidnapped in September 2010 in Eastern Afghanistan while working on a DAI project to boost local economies and create jobs. She died October 8, 2010, during the course of a rescue attempt.

The foundation, established by Linda’s parents, John and Lorna Norgrove, especially seeks to support education and incomes for Afghan women and widows in order to bring about lasting change for the country. So far the foundation has issued grants to fund the purchase of beds, tents, sports equipment and toys for children, literacy and mathematics lessons, bread ovens, childbirth education, and winter clothing. DAI is dedicating staff time in Afghanistan to identify beneficiaries for the foundation and ensure successful grants.

To learn more about the life of Ms. Norgrove and events celebrating her legacy, click here.

New Issue of Developing Alternatives Explores the Power of Political Economy Analysis

Thu, 06 Oct 2011 12:00:00 EST

Development practitioners ignore governance at their peril. This admonition is the main takeaway of the latest issue of DAI's journal Developing Alternatives, which examines the theme of political economy analysis (PEA) and its application to development policy and practice.

Edited by Ann Hudock, Managing Director of DAI’s Governance Sector, Political Considerations: Political Economy Analysis and the Practice of Development explores how political economy approaches shed light on the challenges of programming across all development sectors, starting from an understanding of the political context and finding ways to bridge the state-society divide.

"Even with the best of intentions, development workers often get it wrong," writes Dr. Hudock in her introduction to the volume. "In a rush to build the capacity of formal institutions recognized as legitimate—since they are based on familiar Western models—the powerful ways that citizens are connected through informal institutions are frequently overlooked."

At the forefront of the PEA method in the United Kingdom, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) contributed three articles to the issue, covering how to move forward in putting politics into practice; how successful economic growth programs must also tackle governance challenges; and a case study showing how critical justice programs in Sierra Leone could benefit from a deeper analysis of the on-the-ground political economy governing the options and incentives confronting Sierra Leone’s women.

Another article, co-authored by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Meral Karan-Delhaye and Georgetown University’s Matthew Kroenig, probes the connections between strong legislatures and economic growth.

Three DAI staff penned articles for Political Considerations:

Tine Knott, who offers ideas for how donors can apply PEA when analyzing, adapting, and developing economic reform programs;

Del McCluskey, who shows how using a PEA approach helped identify the best opportunities for the Government of the Philippines to improve sanitation and hygiene; and

Dr. Hudock, who proposes four key areas of governance reform that, when taken together, could increase the success and sustainability of results-based financing arrangements.

Political Considerations will be formally launched on October 25 at ODI headquarters in London. Details on the event can be found on the ODI website.

For a print copy of the journal or to be added to the electronic or print mailing lists for this and other DAI publications, please contact Danielle Jaffee at Danielle_Jaffee@dai.com.

DAI Jordan Receives Award for Supporting Green Entrepreneurship

Thu, 22 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST

DAI Jordan was presented with a plaque September 18 by Her Royal Highness Princess Sumaya in recognition of DAI’s support of the 4th Queen Rania National Entrepreneurship Competition.

Deputizing for Her Majesty Queen Rania, HRH Princess Sumaya honored DAI Jordan for its $5,000 contribution to the Business Park for Project Developments at Prince Hassan Science City.

The DAI contribution, to encourage entrepreneurs to promote clean energy in their work plans, was shared by three winners of the Best Cleantech Business Plan: Taqetna, which incorporated wind energy turbines; NPS and its nitrate production system using solar energy; and Movement Charger, which proposed charging portable devices from movement and walking vibration.

Twenty projects were presented awards for their achievements in strategic planning, business plan development, project management, and other areas related to starting and developing high-impact technology companies.

Farhan Kalaldeh, executive director of the Queen Rania Centre for Entrepreneurship, said the projects highlighted the ingenuity of young Jordanians and the investment potential offered by emerging Jordanian technology startups. “Moreover, the focus was directed at strategic sectors of the Kingdom's economy: information and communication technology, clean technology, and life sciences," Kalaldeh said, according to the Jordan Times.

DAI previously supported El Hassan Science City by helping establish the region’s first water efficiency measurement laboratory. That work was performed as part of the Instituting Water Demand Management in Jordan project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, a project honored in April 2010 with a Global Water Intelligence Distinction Award.

DAI's Dana Kenney Urges Standardized Green Building Certification at Asia-Pacific Event

Wed, 21 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST

Environmentally safe building materials are widely available and can significantly reduce pollution over their life cycles. But green-certification for these materials should be standardized to facilitate their trade between countries and promote their increased use, according to Dana Kenney, a senior consultant with DAI’s Environment and Energy Sector.

In a presentation last week to the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Green Buildings Conference in Singapore, Kenney outlined the tools available to conduct Life-Cycle Assessments (LCA) of the environmental impact of building materials. She also reviewed which nations require procurement of certified products, discussed market drivers for certified products, and explained the potential impact of certification programs on trade.

“Government procurement requirements are beginning to play a significant role in promoting the market for certified products,” Kenney said. “Consumer demand and government commitments in various economies are at the heart of growing demand for these certification programs.”

APEC commissioned two case studies on green building through the U.S. Agency for International Development. Officials from APEC’s 21 Pacific Rim member nations attended the event.

The DAI/Nathan Group prepared the studies, one by Kenney titled “Multi-Attribute LCA-Based Certification Programs in APEC Economies: Focus on Flooring and Plumbing Products,” and one by independent consultant Dr. Cynthia A. Lowry titled “Green Commercial Building Rating Systems in the APEC Region.”

DAI's Lara Goldmark Describes Steps Needed for Sustainable Youth Employment

Thu, 15 Sep 2011 12:00:00 EST

Large numbers of unemployed young people can lead to blight, social unrest, or worse—sometimes much worse. Donors and others hoping to help put young men and women to work in developing nations need to consider wide-ranging steps for job growth to take root, according to Lara Goldmark, DAI’s Technical Area Manager for Private Sector Development.

“It takes more than simple jobs programs but a range of actors pulling together to spur economic growth nationally and an enabling spirit locally in schools and institutions,” said Goldmark, former Chief of Party of DAI’s Improving the Business Climate in Morocco project.

Goldmark delivered her remarks at the Global Youth Economic Opportunities Conference September 7-9 in Washington, D.C., which was organized by Making Cents International and co-sponsored by DAI.

The many influences on youth employment, Goldmark said, include the attitudes of a country’s young people toward work, the priorities of local and larger educational structures, the country’s trade policies and business environment, and infrastructure. Sometimes young people simply do not know where jobs are located but could know by utilizing mobile technology; other youth lack soft skills such as problem solving, communication, and teamwork that are often not taught in schools. Sometimes companies face regulatory disincentives to hire interns, which makes it hard for young people to gain work experience.

The key to long-term success in youth employment projects, Goldmark said, is to leave behind an environment more conducive to growing the economy, creating jobs, and preparing young people for employment.

For the conference, which attracted attendees from more than 60 countries, DAI organized the opening plenary discussion, titled “Global Employment Trends and Policy Levers: How Can We Take a System-Wide Approach to Youth Employment?” and featuring Peter McCoy of Bloomberg Businessweek, David Arkless of Manpower Inc., Barbara Chilangwa of Campaign for Female Education, and the Moroccan Ambassador to the United states, H.E. Aziz Mekouar.

DAI’s Goldmark also moderated “A Systemic Approach to Youth Employment Programming,” a panel featuring Dawn Hayden and Jeyathevan Kaarththigeyan of the USAID-funded, DAI-implemented Sri Lanka Reintegration and Stabilization in the East and North, Abderrazak Lakjaa of DAI’s Morocco Economic Competiveness Program, also funded by USAID, and Lino Carcoforo, an independent consultant from Somaliland who developed a series of built-in incentives for training and local workforce development in Coca Cola’s new factory there.

DAI has implemented workforce development programs in numerous countries, including Albania, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Serbia, Timor-Leste, and Zimbabwe.

DAI Statement in Response to Ruling in Alan Gross Appeal

Fri, 05 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST

In response to the news that Cuba's Supreme Court has upheld a 15-year prison sentence imposed on DAI subcontractor Alan Gross for committing “acts against the integrity and independence of the state,” DAI President and Chief Executive Officer James Boomgard issued the following statement:

“Once again, we find ourselves bitterly disappointed in the verdict of the Cuban court. Alan Gross has done nothing more than help peaceful people gain access to the Internet, and for that he has already served more than a year and a half in prison. Despite today’s ruling, we urge that the Cuban government take into account the medical situation confronting Alan and his family, and quickly allow him to come home.”

Alan Gross was detained by Cuban authorities in December 2009. Mr. Gross' company, JBDC, was a small business subcontractor to DAI under its prime contract to implement the U.S. Agency for International Development's Cuba Democracy and Contingency Planning Program.

White Paper Released on Project that Connected 67,000 Rural Cambodians to Clean Water

Thu, 04 Aug 2011 12:00:00 EST

A recent story in the Developments newsletter struck a chord throughout DAI and beyond. The story, titled “Results-Based Financing in Action: Cambodia MSME,” by Shannon Sarbo and David Hill, described how a DAI-led project in Cambodia connected 67,000 very poor, rural people with piped drinking water by incentivizing water service providers (WSPs) to run the connections.

DAI has now released a white paper that elaborates on how the Cambodia Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Project incentivized the private sector to upgrade and expand its piped water delivery systems into poor, rural areas. Written by Hill, Curtis Hundley, and Del McCluskey, the paper reports how the rush by WSPs to connect customers and collect rebates did not come at the expense of water quality, in part because incentive rebates were contingent on meeting the Ministry of Industry’s standards for clean drinking water.

To read or download the 12-page white paper, titled “Using Incentive Rebates to Grow Private Water Systems: Lessons Learned,” click here.

Bangladesh Right to Information Group Meets with U.S. and University Officials

Fri, 22 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST

Bangladesh’s Right to Information Law, enacted in 2009, is slowly taking root in outlying districts and benefiting residents, the country’s chief information commissioner said last week during a study tour in the Washington, D.C., area.

Muhammad Zamir, speaking at a roundtable discussion July 20 at the University of Maryland’s Philip Merrill College of Journalism, said issues such as the leasing of water bodies have been resolved by the law, and he expected the next generation of adults in Bangladesh to be ambassadors for information disclosure and participate actively in democratic governance.

“For most individuals the law is still hypothetical, but it is starting to have an impact on the lower levels," said Mr. Zamir, who was participating in a study tour on freedom of information organized and sponsored by the Promoting Governance, Accountability, Transparency, and Integrity project in Bangladesh, which is implemented by DAI and funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Current efforts focus on responding to information requests as well as creating a demand for exercising the right to information.

"In Bangladesh all students from [grades] 8, 9, and 10 in taking social sciences focus on the right to information law and are provided with a draft [of the law],” Mr. Zamir said. “The goal is that these students are the correct age to be taught this information.”

Mr. Zamir, a former ambassador, was joined by deputies from the information commission and Bengali journalists. They were hosted by DAI’s Melanie Beth Oliviero and Carmen Lane. U.S. experts on the 45 year-old Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and the tensions between national security and public access offered comparative views on the right to information in the United States.

The Bangladesh information law is expected to provide journalists—who are already popular among the general public —with a key tool for encouraging government transparency and accountability.

“Politically, people are very conscious and find journalists to be their friends,” said Shahnaz Munni, chief reporter with ATN Bangla television and one of the study tour participants. “They come to journalists if there is a problem. If there is corruption, they come to us instead of the police. The public trusts journalists more than individuals. Items published in the newspaper have a large impact.”

In addition to the University of Maryland event, which was hosted by the journalism college’s dean, Kevin Klose, and leading journalism faculty, the group was also hosted at the U.S. Departments of State and Justice, the National Archives, USAID, the City Council of the District of Columbia, and FOIA experts from the Reporters Committee on Freedom of the Press, the American Bar Association, and the Center for National Security Studies, among others. The delegation was featured July 20 at a brownbag session for staff at DAI headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.

Dekha Ibrahim Abdi, Acclaimed Kenyan Peace Builder and DAI Colleague, Dies from Injuries

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 12:00:00 EST

It is with great sadness that DAI reports the passing of Dekha Ibrahim Abdi, our friend and colleague and a hero of efforts to bring about peace and reconciliation in her native Kenya and eastern Africa. Ms. Abdi died this morning from injuries she received in a car accident on July 7 while traveling to a peace conference in Garissa in eastern Kenya.

Ms. Abdi worked for a number of DAI projects funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, including recent peace initiatives in Kenya and Somalia and from 2003 to 2007 on the Conflict Prevention, Mitigation, and Response Programs in East and Southern Africa. Over her 20-year career, she was renowned for reconciling Muslims, Christians, and warring factions in the aftermath of civil and cross-border conflict in Kenya and neighboring countries.

Ms. Abdi’s long and patient work in her native North Eastern Province—where she proved a grassroots culture of peace and practical conciliation could be built—was her unique achievement, according to Willet Weeks, a longtime DAI practitioner in the region.

“I have come to feel so hopeful about the future of Kenya in large part because of the depth of commitment and wisdom that Dekha brought with her in support of meaningful change,” Mr. Weeks said. “I cannot imagine the grief that is being felt throughout the province, or within Kenya as a whole, since loyalty in friendship and devotion to shared vision was so much what Dekha was about.”

In 2007, Ms. Abdi was awarded a Right Livelihood Award from the Stockholm-based foundation of the same name, "for showing in diverse ethnic and cultural situations how religious and other differences can be reconciled, even after violent conflict, and knitted together through a cooperative process that leads to peace and development.”

Ms. Abdi’s other awards include the 1999 Distinguished Medal for Service awarded by the District Commissioner for Wajir on behalf of the Kenyan Government, 1000 Peacewomen Across the Globe, the Rotary Club of Nairobi Peace Prize and Kenya’s Presidential Award in 2008 for contributions toward peace following the post-election violence, and the 2009 Hesse Peace Prize in Germany. Ms. Abdi served as a trustee of the Coalition for Peace in Africa, of which she was a founding member.

“Security has traditionally been seen as the role of men and male elders,” Ms. Abdi said in a 2010 interview with respond.org. “However, over the last 15 years there has been a growing realization that all genders, people of different ages, and people of many religions all have a place in building peace in society and at all levels.”

Ms. Abdi’s husband and their driver were also killed in the July 7 accident, in which their vehicle was struck by a truck. Ms. Abdi was airlifted to Nairobi for treatment at a hospital there before succumbing this morning to her injuries.

A Somali from Wajir in northeastern Kenya who most recently lived in Mombasa, Ms. Abdi was 47 years old. For a fuller accounting of her remarkable career, click here.

Panels Probe Link between Strong Legislature and Economic Growth

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

It can be easier to quietly craft economic policy within a country’s finance ministry than to fight it out in the legislature.

But countries with strong legislatures that are involved in economic policy making—such as tax law, trade standards, and accounting rules—tend to have greater economic growth than countries with weaker legislatures, according to Dr. Matthew Kroenig and DAI’s Meral Karan-Delhaye. The two authored the DAI working paper, “Do Legislatures Matter for Economic Growth?” a topic dissected June 23 in panel discussions organized by DAI and hosted by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) at the National Press Building in Washington, D.C.

Kroenig, an assistant professor in the Department of Government at Georgetown University and Special Advisor in the Office of the Secretary of Defense, cited his research with Steven Fish of the University of California-Berkeley that showed that from 1990 to 2006, countries with stronger legislatures—ones with dispersed political power, influence over the executive branch, and able to make credible, lasting commitments—experienced greater per capita increases in gross domestic product and income.

While acknowledging that economists identify other causes for economic growth, Kroenig and Karan-Delhaye, a DAI governance specialist, wrote that “on average, countries with more powerful parliaments will tend to enjoy higher rates of economic growth … (a link that) is evident when looking at a broad cross-section of countries.” The reason: strong legislatures disperse power, and are incentivized to do so, and thus create economic institutions that protect the economic well-being of many, resulting in policies that foster long-term economic development under a secure set of rules.

The lead-off panel, on lawmaking, was moderated by Wade Channell of USAID’s Bureau of Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade. Presentations were made by DAI’s Phan Vihn Quang of Vietnam STAR Plus and Laura Lucas of the International Consortium for Law and Development, who said that engaging legislatures enables broad-based policy while steeling the democratic process.

“A law that fails to change people’s behavior is not a good law,” Lucas said. “Good laws persuade people.”

DAI’s Lara Goldmark moderated the second panel, on representation, with presentations by the Honorable Terie Norelli, minority leader of the New Hampshire House of Representatives and vice president of the National Conference for State Legislatures, Delegate Jolene Ivey of the Maryland House of Delegates, and Joel Barkan of the University of Iowa.

Norelli, a 15-year legislator, noted that legislation often boils down to compromise after ideals from the campaign are met by political and economic realities at the capital. “We [legislators] have to ask ourselves, ‘Am I willing to take half a loaf and move down the road, or am I going to take an all-or-nothing stance?’” she said.

The final panel, on oversight, was led by Keith Schulz of the USAID Office of Democracy and Governance, and featured Kroenig and DAI’s Mark Gallagher of the Jordan Fiscal Reform II Project, who highlighted important considerations in developing budget oversight mechanisms.

Once Near Collapse, Khan Bank Named by Global Finance Magazine as One of Asia's Best

Thu, 23 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

Khan Bank, a 500-branch chain serving some of Mongolia’s most remote regions, has been named one of the “Best Emerging Market Banks in Asia” by Global Finance magazine.

Khan Bank, which returned to profitability after DAI took over its management in 2000, is now the largest bank in Mongolia based on assets. In its citation, Global Finance reported that Khan Bank “boasts strong financial fundamentals in terms of profitability, net interest income, and capital adequacy. It is also one of the few banks in the market rated by the major international ratings agencies.”

Global Finance editors—with input from industry analysts, corporate executives, and banking consultants—selected the best emerging market banks in the region and in 20 other countries. Criteria for choosing the winners included growth in assets, profitability, strategic relationships, customer service, competitive pricing, and innovative products.

“We remain in an unusually challenging environment for banks and their customers,” said Joseph Giarraputo, publisher of Global Finance. “More than ever, customers are demanding superior competence from their banking partners. These are the banks best providing that competence.”

In 2000, then state-owned Agricultural Bank in Mongolia, one of the largest banks in the sprawling country, was on the verge of collapse. It had lost $4 million the year before. Retirees would arrive at their local branch, and because of the outdated and under-funded public pension program, they would wait in long lines to get their cash payments. Sometimes the fund would dry up, so customers literally brawled to get to the front of the line.

Unlike in the United States—where there are plenty of other financial institutions to fill the void of a failed bank—in the remote regions of Mongolia, millions of families had no access to traditional banking, savings, or lending institutions, and there was a dire need to save the state-owned bank and improve its services. DAI was hired by the U.S. Agency for International Development to take over management of Agricultural Bank and get it on its feet.

Viewing Khan Bank’s vast network as a route to profitability and not a hindrance to it, DAI directed the launch of new consumer financial services to better respond to the needs of the Mongolian people, including direct deposits and targeted lending programs during times when household expenses spike, particularly during the Lunar New Year and the start of the school year. The bank expanded from 269 locations in 2000 to more than 500 today to increased the number of people it served. DAI extended a line of credit to the government and implemented other important modifications so the government could reliably and quickly meet its payment requirements to participants in the public pension program.

The Agricultural Bank returned to profitability within six months of DAI taking over its management. The reforms DAI implemented paved the way for the bank’s privatization in 2003, when it was renamed Khan Bank. The new owners kept DAI as its manager, and by 2007, it was the largest Mongolian bank by assets, loans, deposits, and earnings, demonstrating the efficient and effective programs launched by DAI. Today, the bank is one of the country’s largest taxpayers.

To read more on the Khan Bank story, turn to page 9 in the Spring 2011 issue of Developments.

U.S. Development Firms Launch Coalition to Support, Inform Foreign Aid Dialogue

Wed, 22 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

More than 50 of the nation’s top international development companies today announced the formation of the Coalition of International Development Companies (CIDC), a major new voice in the international development community. CIDC was created to raise awareness about the impact American development assistance has overseas and the role the private sector plays in bringing innovative and cost-effective solutions to development problems around the world.

Members of the coalition, including DAI, are eager to work with partners in the federal government and the nongovernmental organization community to ensure that U.S. development assistance continues to effectively target the neediest recipients and support U.S. policies.

Because of the experience and expertise of its member companies in delivering efficient, transformative, and sustainable results in social, economic, health and governance programs, the new coalition believes it can serve as a valuable resource to key decision-makers and the media in the ongoing debate about how to optimize U.S. foreign assistance, including results-driven approaches.

International development companies bring highly skilled, entrepreneurial assistance to partners in the developing world through transparent, accountable projects. CIDC will highlight those and other achievements to better educate policymakers and the public about the extraordinarily positive impact American development assistance has through the work these companies perform.

CIDC aims to maximize U.S. tax dollars so that communities abroad get the best and most cost effective American assistance. “The debate over who should implement our foreign aid programs – nonprofits or development companies – misses the point,” said Charito Kruvant, CEO of Creative Associates International and chairperson of CIDC. “The issue is not who performs development work in a foreign country. It’s how well the work is done and whether it lasts. That should determine what manner of funding a project receives and who leads the effort.”

CIDC’s enhanced participation in the debate about U.S. foreign assistance will help policymakers and other influencers make better decisions, both for American taxpayers and the foreign communities that benefit from American help. Decisions about American’s international development strategy should be based on facts, not anecdotes, assumptions, or myths.

American international development companies are dedicated to building the capacity and skills of organizations and people in the developing world, and, while doing so, promoting American values. CIDC looks forward to engaging in this timely debate and helping America invest in what works best. Examples of programs being implemented by CIDC members are on the coalition’s website, www.AmericanIngenuityAbroad.org.

“From helping grape growers in Afghanistan to training the independent-minded journalists in Egypt, from instructing education ministry workers in Iraq to preventing malaria in Uganda or developing licit agriculture in Colombia or modernizing agriculture in Haiti, our work helps transform societies in permanent ways, helping those who need it most and supporting U.S. policies overseas,” Kruvant said.

For more information or to schedule an interview with one of CIDC’s member company CEOs, please contact David Marin at dmarin@podesta.com or at 202-879-9368.

Please also visit us online at www.AmericanIngenuityAbroad.org, or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/IntDevCompanies.

ACP/EU MICROFINANCE Issues Call for Proposals

Tue, 21 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

Microfinance growth worldwide has been uneven. The 79 countries comprising the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP) have seen relatively slower growth, with only one in five households having proper access to financial services.

The ACP/EU MICROFINANCE program is announcing a Call for Proposals to grant projects aimed at providing financial access to poor and vulnerable populations in the ACP. DAI Europe is helping implement the program.

The European Union (EU) and ACP have been developing sound growth of the microfinance sector since 2005. The first phase of this dedicated microfinance program, which ran through 2010, enabled capacity building of local microfinance actors. The current phase, which runs through 2015, aims to develop inclusive financial systems adapted to the needs of the poor.

This Call for Proposals is to support the responsible offer and delivery of financial services to those who are still excluded from mainstream access to proper financial services. With these grants, ACP/EU MICROFINANCE intends to:

Facilitate access to finance for communities excluded from the formal financial system in a sustainable manner and by using innovative delivery models;

Improve microfinance institutions’ capacities in financial and risk management and transparency on financial and social performance; and

Build the financial capability of microfinance clients.

Through this Call for Proposals, ACP/EU MICROFINANCE opens its offer of support to a variety of actors. Applicants can include microfinance providers that cater for the poorest and more vulnerable, specialized supporting structures, and institutions that address client empowerment.

Actions to be granted will take place in ACP countries for six to 36 months. Grants for these actions will amount from 250,000 to 800,000 euro. The guidelines and annexes of this restricted tender Call for Proposals are available on EuropeAid's website. The deadline for the submission of concept notes is August 1, 2011.

All questions and requests for clarifications should be sent before July 8, 2011.

An information meeting will take place on June 24, 2011, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. CET at the ACP House in Brussels. For more information contact
Emmanuel Moyart, programme coordinator, at +32 (0) 2 227 27 15 or e.moyart@euacpmicrofinance.org; or Mathilde Gaston-Mathé, programme communications, at +32 (0) 2 227 27 75 or m.gaston-mathe@euacpmicrofinance.org

______________

Bruxelles, 17 juin 2011

L’APPEL A PROPOSITIONS D’ACP/EU MICROFINANCE

Le programme ACP/EU MICROFINANCE annonce le lancement d’un appel à propositions pour le financement de projets visant à apporter des services financiers aux populations pauvres et démunies des pays membres du Groupe des Etats d’Afrique, des Caraïbes et du Pacifique.

Au cours des vingt dernières années, la microfinance s’est développée différemment et inégalement selon les régions du monde et les types de population. Les pays membres du Groupe des Etats d’Afrique, des Caraïbes et du Pacifique (ACP) ont connu une croissance relativement lente du secteur. En moyenne, l'accès au financement dans les pays ACP reste plus faible que dans le reste du monde : seul un ménage sur cinq a accès aux services financiers.

L'Union européenne (UE) et le Groupe des Etats ACP travaillent au bon développement du secteur de la microfinance depuis 2005, grâce à un programme dédié dont la première phase (2005-2010) a permis le renforcement des capacités des acteurs locaux. La seconde (2010-2014) tend à développer des systèmes financiers inclusifs, adaptés aux besoins des pauvres.

Dans le cadre de cet objectif global, ACP/EU MICROFINANCE lance un appel à propositions visant à soutenir une offre de services financiers responsable et destinée à ceux qui sont exclus des canaux classiques de distribution. Ces subventions devront permettre de :

faciliter l’accès aux services financiers des communautés qui en sont exclues, de manière durable et à l'aide de modèles innovants ;

améliorer les capacités des institutions de microfinance (IMF) dans les domaines de la gestion financière et de la gestion du risque, ainsi que leur transparence en termes de performances financière et sociale ;

renforcer les compétences financières des clients de la microfinance, afin de leur donner la possibilité de devenir des acteurs économiques autonomes.

Avec cet appel à propositions, ACP/EU MICROFINANCE s’ouvre à une variété d'acteurs : institutions offrant des services de microfinance dans les zones les plus reculées, structures d’appui à ces institutions ou organisations qui appuient l’autonomisation des clients de la microfinance.

Les actions seront mises en place dans les pays ACP, pour une durée de 6 à 36 mois. Les subventions iront de 250 000 à 800 000 € (soit 20 à 80% du coût éligible des actions).

Les lignes directrices et les annexes de l’appel à propositions restreint sont disponibles sur le site d'EuropeAid (https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/europeaid/online-services/index.cfm?ADSSChck=1308556758218&do=publi.detPUB&searchtype=QS&orderby=upd&orderbyad=Desc&nbPubliList=15&page=1&aoref=131603

Date limite de soumission des notes succinctes de présentation : 1^er août 2011

Les questions et demandes de clarification devront être envoyées avant le 8 juillet 2011.

Une réunion d’information aura lieu le 24 juin 2011, de 10h00 à 13h00, au Secrétariat ACP à Bruxelles (voir l'invitation en pièce jointe).

* * * 
ACP/EU MICROFINANCE est un programme financé par la Commission Européenne et géré par le Secrétariat ACP. Initié en 2005, ACP/EU MICROFINANCE couvre 79 pays et une population de près de 800 millions de personnes. ACP /EU MICROFINANCE tire le meilleur de la microfinance pour le développement en favorisant l'accès des pauvres à la finance, la responsabilisation des clients et l'amélioration de la transparence des institutions de microfinance, ainsi que l'équité et l'efficience des marchés locaux. ACP/EU MICROFINANCE combine de solides partenariats avec des organisations internationales (CGAP, KfW, Banque Interaméricaine de Développement, CIF OIT, PNUD FENU) à des subventions pour des projets ad hoc. Pour plus d'informations : www.euacpmicrofinance.org

Contacts: 
Emmanuel Moyart, Coordination : +32 (0) 2 227 27 15 / e.moyart@euacpmicrofinance.org 
Mathilde Gaston-Mathé, Communication : +32 (0) 2 227 27 75 / m.gaston-mathe@euacpmicrofinance.org

DAI Civil-Military Experts to Serve as Panelists at Naval Postgraduate School Event

Tue, 14 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

DAI’s Andrea Walther and Dr. Boubacar N'Diaye are taking part in discussions this week at the inaugural Cultural and Organizational Awareness Forum in Monterey, California, cosponsored by the Naval Postgraduate School and the Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association International.

The June 14-16 event, titled “Cooperative Engagement for Partnership Capacity: Africa as a Model for Whole of Government,” will address Africa and the role of the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) in supporting African stability though enhancing partner capacity.

Walther, program manager for the Trans-Sahara Security Symposium (TSS), funded by the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership, will serve on a panel, “The Interagency Approach to Security Sector Reform: Putting the Pieces Together,” to be moderated by AFRICOM Director of Outreach Paul Saxton.

Dr. N’Diaye, TSS’ Francophone expert in civil-military relations and the role of military in politics and in religious and ethnic conflict, is an associate professor of black studies and political science at the College of Wooster in Wooster, Ohio. He will be serving on two panels: “The View from Within,” moderated by Theresa Whelan, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Homeland Defense and Defense Support to Civil Authorities; and “The British Experience: Building Sierra Leone’s Security Sector,” moderated by Dr. Stephen Hurst, a senior lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School.

DAI today is sponsoring a lunch with a guest speaker, Senegalese General (Retired) Lamine Cissé, board president of Partners Senegal–Center for Civic Collaboration, who will speak on “African Union Priorities and Programs to Enhance African Stability.” General Cisse has served as a senior military mentor for the TSS program in Senegal for the past two years. On June 15, DAI is sponsoring a reception for John Yates, U.S. Special Representative for Somalia.

For more on DAI’s civil-military expertise, click here.

DAI's Julian Lob-Levyt Appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Mon, 13 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

DAI Senior Vice President Julian Lob-Levyt has been appointed a Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for his work in global health.

Dr. Lob-Levyt joined DAI in 2010. He manages DAI’s London office, oversees the expansion of DAI’s portfolio with European clients, and plays a leading role in the formulation and execution of DAI’s global mission to deliver results that improve lives in the developing world.

“This is really a tribute to the people I have worked with over the years,” Dr. Lob-Levyt said. “It's a great honor. It's been a privilege to work with the people I have in the global health arena, I'd like to share this recognition with all of them.”

Dr. Lob-Levyt is former Chief Executive Officer of the GAVI Alliance, the Geneva, Switzerland-based public-private global health partnership created in 2000 to increase access to immunization for children in the world’s poorest countries. Since 2000, more than 267 million children have been vaccinated and 5 million premature deaths averted thanks to GAVI-funded programs.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Lob-Levyt taught and undertook research at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Previous assignments include senior positions with the World Health Organization and the European Commission. Dr. Lob-Levyt has held long-term overseas postings in Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and the Solomon Islands.

Spring Issue of Developments Now Available

Fri, 10 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

The spring issue of Developments is now available.

Leading off the issue, David Hill and Shannon Sarbo present a case study of results-based financing from Cambodia, where the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise program has succeeded in connecting thousands of poor households to safe, clean water at a fraction of the cost of most donor programs—and doing so in a way that will be sustainable because it is profitable for the private water companies that provide the service.

A companion piece by Alyson Lipsky and Barbara Seligman gives a primer on results-based financing and looks forward to more experimentation with this mode of development assistance across DAI programs.

Inside the issue, the focus is on building the capacity of local people and institutions to deliver development results in a sustainable way:

Ed Rackley reports on DAI's work to build Serbia's capacity in disaster preparedness and response, and holds out the prospect of replicating this achievement in developing and transition countries around the world—something that would pay dividends for developing countries and international donors alike.

Ivan Abrams, head of the Kosovo Ministry of Foreign Affairs Support program, describes efforts to build this fledgling ministry from the ground up, focusing on the tremendous success of the "economic diplomacy" effort, which is helping to bring significant foreign direct investment to the newly independent state of Kosovo and placing Kosovan goods in export markets.

Mark Rostal reflects on FIRM, and puts this new rural and enterprise finance program in the context of USAID's sustained commitment to financial capacity building in Kenya, situating FIRM as the latest stage of assistance provided in response to the increasingly rigorous demands of an increasingly sophisticated Kenyan financial system.

Mehreen Tanvir celebrates the first anniversary of DAI's Center for Development Excellence with an account of the expansion in the number and range of the Center's training seminars for local development actors over the past year, as exemplified in a recent seminar for nongovernmental organizations and local firms in Haiti.

Andrea Walther discusses DAI's civil-military training in West Africa and shows how the locally led approach to capacity building has spurred strong demand from the security sector and a call to expand the program into the Maghreb.

Douglas Hatch writes on RESPOND—a global program to build the capacity of institutions and health professionals in developing countries to respond to emerging infectious disease—and a recent case where the swift response to a yellow fever outbreak in Uganda saved an untold number of lives.

Pete Morrow, a longtime Chief Executive Officer of Mongolia's Khan Bank and now a senior advisor to the bank, sums up the turnaround operation that saved the bank in the early years of the last decade and reflects on the value of this now profitable and hence sustainable institution to the people of Mongolia.

Also in this issue, Nate Bourns, Managing Director of DAI Mexico, reflects on the development issues facing Mexico and on DAI Mexico's opportunities to help meet these challenges, both in Mexico and the broader region.

Rounding off the issue, Betsy Marcotte, DAI's Senior Vice President for Technical Programs, provides an excerpted version of her testimony before the Commission of Wartime Contracting, in which she articulates the value that private sector firms bring to international donors.

And finally, in the DAIdeas publication that accompanies this issue of Developments, Erica Isaac and Chuck Coon summarize the findings of a groundbreaking survey performed by the Local Governance and Community Development (LGCD) Project in Afghanistan. "The findings are yielding tremendous insights on what project interventions make the greatest impact," notes LGCD Chief of Party William Thompson, "and on the role the government must play to bring about stability in the most challenging parts of the country."

To view Developments, click here. For a print copy or to be added to our print mailing list, please contact Danielle Jaffee at Danielle_Jaffee@dai.com.

DAI's Chuck Chopak Named President-Elect of AIARD

Wed, 08 Jun 2011 12:00:00 EST

Chuck Chopak, DAI’s Technical Area Manager for Agriculture and Food Security, has been appointed president-elect of the Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development (AIARD).

In this role, Dr. Chopak will provide leadership in AIARD activities and develop and facilitate new initiatives, including being responsible for the planning and execution of the annual conference.

Dr. Chopak has for 30 years managed, planned, and implemented agriculture, rural development, and food security activities throughout the world, including in Afghanistan, Central America, Haiti, and many African countries.

Since 1964, AIARD has represented a cadre of agriculture and development professionals in both the United States and overseas, most of whom have extensive experience in developing countries. AIARD members offer a vast range of experience and skills from a diverse community of universities, private voluntary organizations, commercial firms, trade associations, government and donor agencies, and foundations in the United States and overseas.

Sapan Hosts Key Meeting of University Partners in Thai Local Governance Program

Tue, 31 May 2011 12:00:00 EST

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded Sapan project kicked off a two-day meeting Tuesday in Phitsanulok, northern Thailand, bringing together 50 representatives from six partner universities to share experiences, build relationships, and enhance the program’s work in strengthening local governance.

The conference, "Raising Awareness and Engaging Citizens in Local Governance," is the first national gathering of universities from the three participating regions—northern, northeastern, and southern Thailand.

Sapan’s objective is to strengthen the capacity of local leaders and civil society organizations to promote transparent and accountable local governance. Half a dozen leading provincial universities are playing an important role in that process by doing field work on democracy issues (in part through Sapan-funded fellowships), researching and analyzing citizens’ perceptions of democracy and their priorities for local governments, and assessing the capacity of local nongovernmental organizations and other civil society actors to push for more effective and accountable government services.

Welcomed by Panyupha Noparak, Dean of the Faculty of Social Science at Naresuan University, participants praised the diversity of the forum and called it a model for the kinds of political engagement they hope to foster in their own work. In his opening remarks, USAID representative Michael Bak underscored the importance of Thai leadership to the Sapan initiative, stressing that the project would play a supporting and facilitating role in response to Thai decisions about the direction of local governance.

Over the course of the two-day meeting, representatives from across the country will share best practices from their respective regions, compare the results of their initiatives, and brainstorm ways to improve civil society engagement.

"This meeting allows us to come together for the first time," said Dr. Titipol Phakdeewanich of Ubon Ratchathani University. "No one university can do everything perfectly, so we need collaboration to better promote the political participation of people in Thailand. We have been talking about building a network around the project, and this meeting will help a lot. With this kind of network, we can really make a big impact, not just working in our part of the country, but nationally."

In addition to regional meetings of the universities, a follow-up meeting at the national level—to be held in Yala, in the deep south of the country—is planned for February 2012. A national meeting focused on the fellowship program is planned for Chiang Mai in October 2011.

Innovative Loans Let Afghan Farmers Plant, Grow, and Harvest Prior to Repaying

Mon, 23 May 2011 12:00:00 EST

Small commercial farmers in central Bamyan Province, Afghanistan, celebrated a landmark last month when they gained access to farm credit for the first time. Using loans from the Afghan government they will not have to repay until after their harvests, the nearly 440 potato farmers purchased seeds and fertilizer for spring planting.

The loans, worth $926,750 and made through eight farming cooperatives, were made possible by the Afghanistan Agricultural Development Fund (ADF), which is implementing a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

At a late April ceremony in Katway Village, Minister H.E. Mohammad Asif Rahimi of the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock praised how farm credit linked and strengthened farmers, food exporters, and food manufacturers.

“Credit brings knowledge, money, and machinery to our farmers when they need it, where they need it, and on realistic terms at affordable costs,” Rahimi said. “It makes our farmers more prosperous and our cooperatives more powerful and effective.”

More than 700 farmers from 11 cooperatives applied for the ADF loans, but loans were considered only for commercial members with more than 4 jeribs (about 2 acres) of land dedicated to potato growing.

Rahimi said farm credit works best for farmers who need to borrow against future harvests as compared to loans that require repayment to begin immediately or charged high interest.

With support from Sharia scholars, the ministry’s agriculture experts, and the DAI-led Afghanistan Agricultural Credit Enhancement Program funded by USAID, the ministry built a system for farm lending that respects modern, responsible Islamic lending practices.

The ADF lends to intermediaries that work directly with farmers: banks, microfinance institutions, credit unions, leasing companies, farm stores, cooperatives, and large Afghan agribusinesses. The ADF establishes how these intermediaries can lend and to whom, helping ensure that the farmers who borrow will be able to repay. Agribusinesses and coops, for example, want loans to help farmers improve their crops or perform better grading and packaging so that they and the farmers make more money.

The ADF studies business plans submitted by prospective borrowers, rejecting impractical ones and sometimes helping promising applicants craft better ones. Together they decide when the debt can realistically be repaid. The Bamyan potato farmers used a variant of murahaba, an Islamic financial product in which the cooperatives procured agricultural inputs sold to farmers at a markup that the ADF and cooperative share.

“If the ADF lends unwisely, maybe to a good institution with a bad business plan, then the lender suffers, the borrower suffers, and so do all the other farmers and agribusinesses that need loans,” Minister Rahimi said.

The potato farmers were given terms of seven months or 11 months after harvest to repay their loans, which averaged about $116,000 per cooperative, or $2,116 per farmer.

The loans are forecast by the ministry’s technical experts to increase the cooperatives’ output by 18 percent. The farmers are also using production and postharvest handling technologies not common among potato producers in Afghanistan, such as the use of certified potato seed, high-density planting, and potato cellars for long-term storage. ADF’s technical assistance team is also advising borrowers on growing, harvesting, and sales to enhance their likelihood of success and repayment of loans.

The ministry is facilitating the transition of agricultural financing in Afghanistan from farming subsidies and grants to fully commercial financial services.

“Government can be slow,” Rahimi said. “Sometimes it seems like a buffalo in a horserace. This time was different. Now, seven months into the project, Afghanistan has its institution—the ADF—it has its systems and its partners, and it is lending to farmers and agribusiness.”

So far the ADF has lent more than $16 million out of an initial grant of $100 million. Loans made in Jalalabad are helping a local business manufacture farm equipment to compete against Pakistani and Chinese imports; across northern Afghanistan, ADF loans are helping the Almond Growers Association and its many members; and in Kabul and Parwan, ADF loans are financing grape-trellising that has increased production dramatically.

DAI Staffer Norgrove Honored Posthumously by UN, Green Cross International

Thu, 19 May 2011 12:00:00 EST

Former DAI development specialist Linda Norgrove was honored posthumously this week by the United Nations and Green Cross International with a Green Star Award for her work in Afghanistan.

Norgrove, regional manager for a DAI-led project to create jobs in eastern Afghanistan, was cited for responding to the severe environmental challenges facing Afghanistan and for her efforts to avert future environmental emergencies in the country. She and five others were honored May 18 during an event in Bern, Switzerland.

The Green Star Awards recognize individuals, organizations, governments, and private enterprises that have led the way in preparing for, responding to, and reducing the environmental impacts of disasters and conflicts. Norgrove, 36, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan in September 2010 and died two weeks later during a rescue attempt, spent her career working for and managing projects in developing countries that have improved farming and the environment while creating jobs.

From 2005 to 2008, Norgrove worked throughout Afghanistan on United Nations projects in community forestry and horticulture, and watershed, rangeland, and natural protected area management. She also teamed with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Afghan government to assess the country’s needs for building its capacity to address global environmental issues and adapt to climate change.

Norgrove, of Uig on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, later managed a UN program in Afghanistan dedicated to job training for ex-combatants and the rural poor in poppy-growing areas, as well as rehabilitating tertiary roads. Norgrove then served in Laos from June 2008 to December 2009, managing new UNEP projects in environmental governance, agriculture and wetlands management, and climate change before joining DAI in January 2010. The project she was helping to lead at the time of her death was called a “model of success.”

After Linda Norgrove’s death, her parents established a foundation in her name to benefit women and children in Afghanistan.

Other 2011 Green Star awardees were: Dionysia-Theodora Avgerinopoulou, a Greek parliamentarian who supported reconstruction following environmental emergencies such as the wildfire that devastated parts of Greece in August 2007; Dr. Mary Catherine Comerio of the University of California, Berkeley, for her reconstruction efforts following earthquakes in China and Haiti; the New York City-based Blacksmith Institute, which works to solve pollution problems in low- and middle-income countries, including Mozambique, Nigeria, and the Philippines.; environmental engineering firm TerraGraphics of Moscow, Idaho, for its promotion of environmental cleanup methodologies in developing regions; and Artsen zonder Grenzen (Médecins Sans Frontières - Holland) for contributing to environmental emergency response efforts, specifically in regard to lead poisoning in the Nigerian state of Zamfara in 2010.

Students across Ethiopia Celebrate Vegetable Micro-Garden Contest

Fri, 13 May 2011 12:00:00 EST

On April 28, hundreds of Ethiopia’s urban gardeners led by students from throughout the country celebrated the art of growing nutritious vegetables with limited resources at events in 15 cities.

Approximately 5,000 orphans and vulnerable children from 89 schools participated in the three-month Micro Garden Contest: Innovation in Small Spaces. The 850 teams were captained by HIV/AIDS-affected students who used bags, baskets or containers, soil, water, and seedlings to grow their greens and other foods. The event promoted micro-gardening as a manageable way to grow vegetables in the face of all-too-common land and water shortages.

“This is a great way to promote gardening and is an asset for our school because it brings teachers and students together within the garden,” said Mulu Kidane, principal of Addis Ketama High School in Awassa. “Urban gardens are becoming more and more important every day.”

The contest was organized by the Urban Gardens Program for HIV-Affected Women and Children, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. Hundreds of students, teachers, guards, and administrators served on teams that were provided with soil, manure, seedlings, and hand tools. Teams were encouraged to seek help from the program’s extension officers to head off problems with pests and other gardening challenges. They were judged on the quality and quantity of vegetables raised, their variety, nutritional value, and market value, and the use of recycled material such as old tires, cans, and buckets for their micro-gardens. Team spirit was another criterion.

“This was an amazing event because of the turnout and because it was so well received across the country,” said DAI’s Nancy Russell, Chief of Party of the USAID Urban Gardens Program, which has established nearly 250 gardens that use low-maintenance drip-irrigation techniques.

More than 1,000 people participated in April 28 events at schools throughout the country, with more than 200 guests joining the main ceremony at the program compound in Addis Ababa, where USAID Mission Director Thomas H. Staal and Deputy Chief of Mission Tulinabo Mishingi presented awards to the winners. Irrigation, poultry, and water pump vendors gave cooking and planting demonstrations, while vegetable dishes such as carrots, cabbage, and kale were served. Outside of Addis Ababa, mayors and other public officials presented awards at local schools to the winning students.

Implemented by DAI, the USAID Urban Gardens Program establishes and supports neighborhood and school-based urban gardens that use irrigation drip-kits to conserve water and make the gardens easier to tend for HIV/AIDS-affected persons too weak to perform hard labor, and for youngsters who need to spend their days in school. Beneficiaries grow vegetables to supplement their staple flatbread diet and to sell to help pay for school expenses and other foods. The project also advises on nutrition, identifying and growing higher-valued vegetables and fruits, and bringing these products to market.

DAI's Marcotte: Development Firms Deliver Cost-Effective Results with Accountability

Mon, 02 May 2011 12:00:00 EST

Betsy Marcotte, DAI’s Senior Vice President for Technical Programs, made a passionate argument May 2 that DAI and other private sector development firms should remain a vital part of the service provider mix available to the U.S. Government and other international donors in Afghanistan and other challenging environments. She was speaking before the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan, which has been tasked with investigating the efficacy of different types of foreign aid in conflict areas.

At an April 11 hearing before the Commission, nonprofit organizations claimed that private sector firms are less effective than nonprofits at doing development work in unstable areas. Marcotte countered that testimony, focusing on areas such as results, sustainability, cost-effectiveness, accountability, and security.

Marcotte told the Commission, co-chaired by former Congressman Christopher Shays, that DAI has worked on projects in Afghanistan since 1976 on behalf of the U.S. Government and other donors. She described how DAI-led projects are staffed at 90 percent or more by Afghans and how they work in concert with U.S. foreign policy to support and strengthen the Afghan government.

She also reiterated for the Commission DAI's consistent support for efforts to give the U.S. Agency for International Development more authority and resources in the design, award, and oversight of the projects it funds. “When we have a strong partner on the government side working with a strong person on our side," she said, "very good things happen.”

“The fact that DAI has been in Afghanistan since 1976 is huge,” Shays said. “You’re not just a company that has come in, tried to make a buck and leave. I like the idea that you hire indigenous staff, and that you’re looking for community buy-in when you do projects.”

“What I am happy to know is that you do similar work to [NGOs], and that in some cases you use the same model,” Shays said. “A grant doesn’t have the same supervision. It doesn’t have the same requirements. It’s simply not as rigorous.”

The Commission is scheduled to issue a report to Congress in the near future.

Following is the full text of Marcotte’s written testimony:

Thank you Chairman Shays, Chairman Thibault, and members of the commission for holding this hearing. My name is Betsy Marcotte, and I am here today in my capacity as DAI’s Senior Vice President, Technical Programs. For the past five years, I have been responsible for DAI’s significant portfolio in Afghanistan, where I travel often.

On April 11 this commission heard from several nonprofit development organizations. I appreciate the opportunity to appear before you today to share my observations about the critical partnership that has been forged between USAID, DAI, and other private sector implementing partners in achieving America’s foreign policy objectives in Afghanistan.

ABOUT DAI

DAI is implementing 104 projects in 59 countries, for clients such as USAID, the U.K. Department of International Development, the European Commission, multilateral donors, major philanthropies, private sector clients, and host country governments—often under challenging circumstances, from war zones in Afghanistan to post-conflict settings in the eastern Congo and disaster relief areas in Haiti.

DAI delivers highly skilled technical assistance that builds local capacity to solve the complex problems facing developing countries. We were recently named one of the world’s Top 40 Development Innovators, one of only 10 consulting firms so honored globally. In our U.S. Government Service business, we extend the reach of USAID by providing the diverse intellectual capital, extensive operational experience, and committed professional staff needed to help implement the agency’s remarkable array of programs.

As a private sector firm, DAI competes primarily for contracts rather than grants or cooperative agreements. Each funding mechanism has a place in the development arena, depending on the client’s objectives and the desired degree of oversight and control. Grants are designed to provide government funding for the implementing partner’s activities in cases where those activities coincide with the government’s interests. Contracts are used to purchase goods or services to execute an activity specified by the government and on behalf of the government. When DAI implements a USAID contract, we do so in USAID’s name and at USAID’s direction. We have no hesitation about branding that work under the U.S. Government banner as “aid from the American people.”

We believe there are important roles for both grants and contracts in Afghanistan—and for both NGOs and private sector development firms. But we respectfully contend that efforts to limit the kinds of service providers available to the U.S. Government are misguided and ultimately detrimental to America’s foreign policy and development objectives. Fundamentally, we believe that all development organizations—NGOs and private sector firms—should be judged not on their for-profit or nonprofit status, but on their ability to deliver development results on a cost-effective basis.

Before I turn to DAI’s work in Afghanistan, I would like to address misconceptions about private sector firms that have been presented in testimony before this very commission. These misconceptions are centered on the following attributes:

Results

Sustainability

Cost-Effectiveness

Security

Our results have been exemplary. In the east of Afghanistan, the DAI-led Alternative Development Program-Eastern Region (ADP/E) improved the lives of millions of Afghans. It reached 2,600 communities; brought 24,000 hectares of land into non-poppy production; generated 17,000 full-time, permanent jobs; trained 118,000 farmers, government officials, and small business owners; and helped more than a quarter of a million subsistence farmers raise their incomes anywhere from 60 to 125 percent.

Regarding sustainability, DAI focuses on building sustainable local capacity by developing and nurturing institutions in the private sector, civil society, and government. Conscious that assistance programs too often create dependency where they hope to spur development, we aim to “work ourselves out of a job” by building sustainable change agents and in-country development capacity. Our small business program, for example—the Afghanistan Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Development Activity, or ASMED—has supported the establishment of more than 1,000 small firms and assisted 10,000 more, creating 100,000 new jobs. This is the road to a healthy future for Afghanistan.

In Afghanistan, building local capacity is about nurturing and training local talent—people who contribute to our programs, learn from them, and go on to lead their own country’s development. In all, DAI employs more than 1,000 Afghans, or 90 percent of our workforce in that country. And we partner with hundreds of Afghan organizations. ASMED alone has trained 20,000 people and sponsored 2,200 internships (25 percent of them women), of whom three-quarters have been hired by the host company after their internship.

With respect to cost-effectiveness, there is little difference in cost between NGOs and private sector development firms. There is no evidence that NGOs enjoy any cost advantage over their private sector counterparts. In testimony before this committee, Save the Children charged private sector firms with “following the money.” This statement masks the truth. DAI and other firms compete intensely for projects. Competition yields lower costs, better value, superior technical innovation, and more diverse technical choices. We welcome competition from nonprofits and for-profits, and we think the Commission should view with skepticism any effort to bar the for-profit sector from the marketplace.

With respect to salaries, Save the Children stated that NGO salaries are lower than those of the private sector. The truth is that USAID does not permit most development project employees to receive higher salaries than government employees; all salaries must be approved by USAID. This restriction does not apply to NGOs. In Afghanistan and other locations, DAI has seen valued project professionals leave because we could not match the higher salaries paid by competitor NGOs.

Once a competitively bid project has been awarded, rigorous oversight is essential. Contracts provide the greatest level of accountability and transparency because they are carefully controlled and routinely audited. USAID contracts involve client approval of costs and actions every step of the way. And by law, contractors are subject to close public scrutiny—of every taxpayer dollar spent—through independent government audits. The same strict USAID management oversight and standards of accountability and transparency do not apply to grants and cooperative agreements. Recognizing the importance of project oversight, DAI was one of the first USAID implementers to establish its own Fraud Prevention and Investigation Unit in Afghanistan.

Finally, a word on security. Despite earlier testimony to the contrary, the need for security in Afghanistan has more to do with the nature of the work being done than the kind of organization doing it. And there is no clear distinction between nonprofit NGOs and for-profit firms on this score. Some NGOs that perform purely humanitarian assistance view security as compromising their neutrality, and we respect that perspective just as we deeply respect the committed individuals who do this kind of work. But other nonprofit NGOs use armed private security contractors.

DAI’s work in Afghanistan spans the gamut, from stabilization work in counterinsurgency contexts to institutional support in the agricultural finance sector. And the need for security varies accordingly. But almost all of DAI’s development work involves close coordination with Afghan and U.S. authorities, civilian and military, and centers on building Afghan government capacity to counter the insurgents. Such work requires armed security because it threatens the base of support for anti-government elements, and therefore invites attack.

DAI IN AFGHANISTAN

DAI has been executing projects in Afghanistan since 1976. Building on our legacy of delivering tangible results and measurable value to USAID, DAI is currently entrusted with eight major USAID projects operating in all 34 Afghan provinces.

The largest of these is the soon-to-be completed Local Governance and Community Development project (LGCD), a five-year undertaking to build the legitimacy and credibility of the Afghan government.

Overall success in Afghanistan depends on the support of the Afghan people for their government, at both the national and local level. Afghans must have confidence that their government—rather than antigovernment elements—can provide leadership, essential services, and basic stability.

DAI has been helping the government deliver these projects country-wide, while building real Afghan ownership into each activity. Ninety-five percent of LGCD’s subcontracts and procured goods were awarded to Afghan firms, and 93 percent of its grants went to Afghan NGOs. Through LGCD, Afghan government-led activities have rehabilitated 1,275 different pieces of infrastructure, including 37 buildings, 245 kilometers of road, and 400 kilometers of irrigation. From 2010 to 2011 alone, the project equipped 728 institutions, including more than 500 government offices and 200 community organizations. In that same period, the program generated 391,000 days of productive employment, particularly among young fighting-aged males. And it delivered 193,000 training days to government officials and others—all to help strengthen the credibility of Afghan governments with their constituents.

IDEA-NEW is another exemplary project. Indeed, a Philadelphia Inquirer journalist who spent a week with IDEA-NEW called it a “model of success.” “If someone is looking for a new model of aid operations,” she wrote, “Jonathan Greenham [DAI’s Chief of Party] and IDEA-NEW are showing the way.” Implemented with our partners, Mercy Corps. and ACDI-VOCA, USAID’s IDEA-NEW is the successor to the Alternative Development Program I cited earlier. It is designed to dissuade Afghans from growing opium poppy by increasing access to lawful and commercially viable alternative sources of income. The program has created more than 25,000 full-time jobs and employed a further 27,000 local community members on more than 100 infrastructure projects.

And let’s not forget ASMED, our small business program. ASMED has leveraged $91 million of partner investments through 52 of USAID’s Global Development Alliances, for an ASMED investment of $13 million. This is a powerful market endorsement of the program and a powerful statement of faith in the Afghan people. It is no coincidence that it is a private sector firm—attuned to the demands of the competitive marketplace—that is so effectively engaging Afghanistan’s entrepreneurs and investors to build their country’s private sector capacity.

I thank the commission for this opportunity to testify and look forward to answering any questions you may have.

Haiti Participants Embody Center for Development Excellence Mission on its Anniversary

Fri, 29 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

The 2010 Haiti earthquake killed and maimed hundreds of thousands of people, leaving thousands more homeless and Port-au-Prince in ruins, with miles of buildings collapsed and infrastructure broken. Complicating the unfathomable disaster was that the country is home to few organizations capable of leading the massive recovery effort.

Enormous aid funds quickly flowed to Haiti, but local organizations were unprepared to win or manage the large projects for donors such as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). As a result, earthquake victims and other Haitians held limited ownership of the reconstruction and development work that ensued in their own backyard.

DAI believes the most enduring development solutions are those that spring from local people and institutions, and a year ago launched the Center for Development Excellence (CDE) as a capacity-building organization to help put that principle into practice. On its first anniversary, the CDE has emerged as a rousing success, having conducted 70 seminars in 18 countries—most recently in Haiti—teaching local practitioners how to win, implement, and accountably manage projects such as those involved in the Haiti recovery.

“As with any business, it is a thrill to celebrate our one-year anniversary,” said Michael F. Walsh, CDE’s Managing Director and former USAID acquisitions executive. “CDE’s success, I believe, speaks to the deep desire of our development colleagues worldwide to lead the projects that improve lives locally.”

Importantly, CDE’s seminars train participants how to meet the management and contractual requirements of donors such as USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Since obtaining the training curriculum of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Public Management, CDE has introduced new courses such as “Proposal Development Workshop,” “Project Performance Management Planning ,” “USAID and CDC Award Compliance for Development Practitioners,” and the popular “Doing Business with USAID” course that CDE presented April 19–21 in French and Creole for CDE customers in Port-au-Prince.

“It is very difficult for grassroots organizations to access information on how to position ourselves for awards or partner up with others,” said Marie Gabrielle Vincent of Sonje Ayiti, a local nongovernmental organization and one of two participants sponsored by DAI. “We all want to be able to secure the funds needed to deliver the most needed services. I thank [DAI] and will make them proud of their investment.”

CDE operates commercially to ensure it provides products valued by clients and responsive to market needs. For training and consulting, CDE taps into DAI’s technical and project management staff who draw on the firm’s 40 years of international development experience in areas such as agriculture, food security, economic growth and job creation, health, governance, and crisis mitigation. Training and consulting are customized to be both locally relevant and affordable.

CDE took its early inspiration from local nongovernmental organizations and other development workers in Pakistan—where DAI has been working since the early 1980s—who are dedicated humanitarians but not always equipped to take on and accountably manage donor-funded work. Since CDE’s first seminars in Islamabad in February 2010, the team has hosted sessions for local practitioners in the Middle East, Africa, and South Central and Southeast Asia, with debut trainings scheduled this year for Tbilisi, Georgia; Bogota, Colombia; and Phnom Penn, Cambodia.

Port-au-Prince attendees learned about USAID, the standard project life-cycle—from requests for proposals to project closedown—and ways they could participate as prime contractors, subcontractors, or other roles. The course emphasized the components of compliance on USAID projects, including documentation, project performance monitoring, and audits. Participants ranged from experienced practitioners to those with no experience working with USAID. Leading the training were Ose Pierre, a Haitian trainer with extensive experience working with bilateral and multilateral donors, and Annouck Hudicourt, formerly USAID’s Senior Acquisition and Assistance Specialist for Haiti.

As happens at all CDE events, participants talked enthusiastically about their work and exchanged contact information and ideas for collaborating.

“The CDE has turned out to be a great asset for DAI,” said James Boomgard, DAI’s President and CEO. “First and foremost, it gives talented local development professionals access to the knowledge they need to qualify for funding that they can use to improve people’s lives. But CDE also gives DAI a chance to introduce itself to some of these excellent people, and positions us to work with them down the road, which can only benefit our projects, donors, and beneficiaries.”

DAI Selected as Top Innovator in Global Poll of International Development Professionals

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

Bethesda, Maryland—DAI has been named a Devex Top 40 Development Innovator, one of only 10 consulting firms so honored globally. The award was based on a poll of 100,000 Devex members, who comprise the world’s largest network of aid and international development professionals.

Employee-owned DAI implements approximately 100 development projects in 60 countries.

“It’s an honor to be recognized for the fresh thinking and resourcefulness we try to bring to the world’s development challenges,” said Dr. James Boomgard, DAI President and CEO. “This award reflects the investment we have made in innovation over the years but above all it speaks to the spirit of our people and their commitment to our development mission. As employee-owners, we have a very personal stake in the ideas, products, and services we are bringing to the marketplace in service of that mission.”

Recent DAI innovations include:

Using results-based financing to incentivize water service providers in Cambodia to pipe clean water into poor areas—resulting in sustainable connections to more than 11,000 households and 67,000 people at a fraction of the cost of most donor-funded piped-water initiatives.

Promoting household nutrition gardens to provide food security and improved incomes for HIV/AIDS-affected women and children in Ethiopia’s urban centers—reaching more than 100,000 orphans and vulnerable children.

Uniting the climate change, forest preservation, and biodiversity agendas by increasing private sector involvement in orangutan conservation in Indonesia—leading to more than half a million acres of industrial forests managed using best practices for orangutans.

Betsy Marcotte, DAI’s Senior Vice President for Technical Programs, emphasized that these successes could only have been facilitated through local collaboration.

“For us, the most powerful catalyst of innovation over the next decade will be the emerging leadership of host country development professionals and institutions,” Marcotte said, noting recent DAI investments in this area.

For example, in 2010 DAI founded the Center for Development Excellence, which is dedicated to building the capacity of local consulting firms, NGOs, and governments to win and effectively manage development programs. In its first year of operations, the CDE has led training seminars in 18 countries. DAI in the past two years has also established local offices in Mexico, Pakistan, and Jordan, and bolstered its presence in South Africa and Palestine under the leadership of Dr. Julian Lob-Levyt, based in London.

Dr. Boomgard and Ms. Marcotte will attend The Devex Innovators Forum on April 21 at The Sweden House in Washington, D.C., to celebrate the achievements of the Top 40 Development Innovators.

Looking to Work With DAI? Keep an Eye on Twitter @DAIGlobal

Tue, 12 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

From now on, DAI will be posting certain corporate and project job vacancies on Twitter, in addition to the DAI website. Not all jobs will go on Twitter -- for a comprehensive list you should still consult the DAI website.

For real-time updates from the DAI Twitter feed, simply open a Twitter account and follow us @DAIGlobal.

USAID Cites RESPOND to Showcase Efforts to Reduce Spread of Zoonotic Disease

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 12:00:00 EST

A DAI-led project that is building capacity in high-risk countries to control the spread of infectious disease outbreaks and epidemics was cited last week in Congress as exemplary of efforts by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in the area of global public health.

RESPOND, part of USAID’s larger Emerging Pandemic Threats (EPT) program launched in 2009, connects government officials, university faculty, civil society, and private sector practitioners from human, domestic animal, and wildlife health sectors. Together they are building comprehensive disease management systems and strengthening outbreak response capacity to prevent emerging infectious diseases from spreading locally, across borders, and abroad.

“We leverage existing, successful partnerships to bring human, animal, and environmental health disciplines together,” Amie Batson, USAID’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Global Health, said March 31 in testimony before the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations Committee on Appropriations. “[This program improves] the speed at which zoonotic disease threats are detected and response and prevention measures are employed, thus reducing impact on public health.”

Batson noted the support provided by RESPOND’s office in Kampala, Uganda, to the One Health Central and East Africa (OHCEA) network of 14 schools of public health and veterinary medicine from six African countries.

“USAID's Emerging Pandemic Threats team will, with FY 2012 funding, continue to build a global surveillance system to detect and prevent spillover of pathogens of pandemic potential that can move between wildlife, domestic animals and people in four geographic areas or ‘hot spots’ where new diseases are most likely to emerge,” said Batson, referring to current efforts in the Congo River Basin of Central and East Africa and Mekong River Basin in Southeast Asia, as well as future programs for the Gangetic Plain in South Asia and the Amazon River Basin in South America.

DAI’s RESPOND team in Uganda recently helped contain a hemorrhagic fever outbreak in northern Uganda through collaboration with Uganda’s ministries of Health and Agriculture, the Uganda Wildlife Authority, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET), the World Health Organization (WHO), and other partners.

RESPOND’s team, led by Dr. Mac Farnham of the University of Minnesota, supported the technical coordination of the National Task Force assembled to guide government policy and response. RESPOND also supported expert disease detectives from AFENET as they investigated the cause of the outbreak and collected samples for testing. RESPOND worked closely with CDC Uganda and EPT partner DELIVER to coordinate the shipment of personal protective equipment such as gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection to Ugandan ministries and nongovernmental organizations such as Doctors Without Borders to prevent infection among local clinical and investigative personnel. Afterward RESPOND collaborated with the CDC, WHO, and Ugandan ministries to identify ways to strengthen Uganda’s outbreak response chain.

Although more than 50 people died during the outbreak and more than 200 suspected cases were reported, careful teamwork between clinicians and investigators enabled them to collect the proper samples for testing, and a CDC laboratory in Fort Collins, Colorado, identified yellow fever as the cause of the outbreak. The National Task Force promptly began a mass yellow fever immunization activity in affected districts in Uganda.

This action by the National Task Force illustrated the importance of a coordinated One Health approach to outbreaks of viruses with high mortality. The mass vaccination campaign likely prevented hundreds of additional yellow fever cases in the affected districts, thereby limiting the tragic impact on families, as well as decreasing the cost burden on an already overtaxed health care system and the burden on health workers caring for patients.

East African Food Security Leaders Graduate

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

More than 260 emerging leaders from East African countries on March 29 graduated from classes to help them plan and manage national food security programs. The ceremony was held in Nairobi, Kenya.

Classes were conducted by Africa LEAD, a program funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by DAI. The classes covered frameworks of the Comprehensive African Agriculture Development Program and USAID’s Feed the Future program, and included instruction in leading and managing change, strategic planning and priority setting, developing Country Investment Plans (CIPs), and identifying the resources available to implement CIPs.

More than 1,000 people from 19 African countries, representing organizations that work toward food security, are scheduled to be trained through Africa LEAD, which is led by DAI’s David Tardif-Douglin. In coming months, the project and its graduates will analyze food security needs and capacity in East Africa and develop plans accordingly. The project will also build a database of training providers from throughout the continent and make that database available to food security practitioners.

For more information, click here to read a press release by USAID on the March 29 event.

DAI's Jean Gilson Elected to SID-Washington Leadership Post

Wed, 30 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

Jean Gilson, DAI’s Senior Vice President for Strategy and Marketing, has been appointed and unanimously approved as Vice President for Chapter Affairs at the Society for International Development, Washington, D.C., Chapter (SID-Washington).

As the second-ranking officer on the SID-Washington board of directors, Ms. Gilson will lead efforts on membership recruitment, retention, and diversification, as well as help guide the organization’s strategic thinking.

SID-Washington is a forum of international development practitioners and organizations and a leading knowledge broker for ideas and best practices. Its work groups and presentations feature some of the world’s top thinkers on issues such as food security and agriculture, gender in development, and international health and nutrition.

“I am honored by this appointment at what is a critical time for the international development community," Gilson said. “More than ever, our industry needs the kind of forum that SID-Washington provides for enhanced collaboration, informed debate, and a steady focus on learning and innovation. I look forward to working in these areas with the outstanding SID-Washington staff.”

In addition to Gilson, DAI staff active in SID-Washington include Kristi Ragan, who co-chairs the organization’s Corporate Responsibility work group, and Tomas Bridle, who co-chairs the Governance, Corruption and Rule of Law work group.

Ex-USAID Chief Natsios: Those Who Know Value of Development Should Support Funding

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

Now is the time for advocacy groups who know first-hand the value of international development to speak up on its behalf. That was the message delivered March 24 by former U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Andrew S. Natsios to industry executives gathered at DAI headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.

Speaking at the Society for International Development CEO Forum hosted by DAI President and CEO Dr. James Boomgard, Natsios told more than 70 senior development executives, “It is tradition in Washington, D.C., that every speaker begin by saying ‘we are at a critical moment.’ I am here to tell you that when it comes to international development, it is true.”

Natsios, who served as USAID Administrator from 2001 to 2006 during the George W. Bush administration, and served as President Bush’s Special Envoy to Sudan from 2006 to 2007, addressed the implications of proposed draconian cuts to the international affairs budget, the intervention of multiple Congressional oversight committees in development policy, and the need to increase USAID field staff, among other topics. He stressed that it is crucial to form coalitions of people who have witnessed how development projects in sectors such as agriculture, economic growth, and health have helped create peace and stability in even the most fragile environments.

For example, Natsios emphasized the importance of forging a conservative coalition between Evangelical and Roman Catholic churches and retired military associations, such as the Reserve Officers Association, to support U.S. development programs.

“Evangelical and other churches support humanitarian programs,” Natsios said. “Moreover, it is not enough for Members of Congress to hear from former admirals and generals. They need to hear from rank and file retired military members who have served in the field and have seen first-hand the value of development to our national security.”

Natsios also argued that the international development community needs to address more thoughtfully the concerns of conservatives over its work and funding.

During the discussion, the former administrator questioned the policy of making direct payments in support of development objectives to recipient countries and institutions. “I can think of only six to eight countries where this might work,” Natsios said. “Providing direct funding to unstable recipient governments and institutions simply ensures that the money goes someplace else.”

Responding to a question on performance measurement, Natsios said that standard measurements are not always appropriate for development programs and often lead to questionable data; he argued instead for forging more relevant performance metrics. In his recent article, “The Clash of the Counter-bureaucracy and Development,” written for the Center for Global Development, Natsios wrote: “Development programs that are more precisely and easily measured are the least transformational, and those programs that are most transformational are the least measurable.”

Now retired from government service, Natsios serves as a Distinguished Professor in the Practice of Diplomacy at Georgetown University's School of Foreign Service.

Washington Audience Thrills to Performance by the Duke Ellington School Show Choir

Mon, 21 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

More than 800 people packed the Ellington Theater at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts on March 18 for a thrilling performance by the school’s Show Choir, sponsored by DAI. VIPs attending included Mrs. Alma Powell, chair of the America’s Promise Alliance, and Ellington school co-founder Peggy Cooper Cafritz.

Approximately 100 students – singers, dancers, musicians, and technicians – put on a two-hour show that featured songs by Leonard Bernstein, Evelyn White, and, of course, Duke Ellington, among others, and genres such as Broadway, spiritual, and jazz. The Ellington Dancers and Orchestra closed the performance with a rendition of Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Africano” that had the audience on its feet and clapping to the beat.

The Ellington school was founded in 1974 and named for the famed bandleader, a Washington native. The public school caters to city students who are artistically gifted and can manage a rigorous academic curriculum: fully 98 percent of its students graduate and 95 percent of its graduates are accepted to colleges, universities, or conservatories.

Part of DAI’s sponsorship was dedicated to supporting an international travel fund for the students. “DAI’s employee owners see every day the role that global exchange, global dialogue, and global connectivity plays in nurturing peace and prosperity,” said Dr. James Boomgard, DAI’s President and CEO. “Now more than ever, it is crucial that young Americans from all walks of life have the chance to experience the wider world that will be so central to their futures.”

In recent months DAI’s offices in South Africa, Palestine, Jordan, and Pakistan have contributed to local, development-minded efforts as part of the firm’s 40^th anniversary celebrations. DAI was founded in 1970.

In addition to remarks by Mrs. Powell, Ms. Cooper Cafritz, and Dr. Boomgard, intermission remarks were given by Head of School Rory Pullens, and closing remarks by Dean of Arts Tina Powell Harris, and Julia Braxton, a member of the Show Choir.

“Few people have done more to support America’s young people than Alma Powell, whose America’s Promise Alliance is dedicated to preparing kids for college, work, and life,” Dr. Boomgard said. “We are privileged to have Mrs. Powell here as our honored guest, and we thank her for lending her name to this occasion.”

Mrs. Powell, wife of former Secretary of State Gen. Colin Powell, urged further donations to the school’s travel fund. “Let them share their talents with the rest of the world and shine and shine,” she told the audience.

If you would like to make a tax-deductible financial donation to the travel fund, there are two ways you can do so:

Donate online

Mail a check—made payable to Duke Ellington School of the Arts Project, or DESAP—to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Attention Tia Powell Harris, 3500 R St, NW, Washington, DC 20007

For a firsthand account of the evening by Paolo von Schirach, a blogger on international affairs, click here.

Ambassador Tours Urban Gardens Tended by HIV/AIDS-Affected Students

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

U.S. Ambassador to Ethiopia Donald E. Booth on March 12 toured a vegetable garden in Addis Ababa operated for food and income by students orphaned or otherwise affected by HIV/AIDS.

Mr. Booth visited the Entoto Amba High School, one of 123 school and 124 group gardens established by the Urban Gardens Program for HIV-Affected Women and Children. The project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), enlists or assists more than 100,000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) in Ethiopia with help from 51 local implementing partners.

Mr. Booth was joined by his wife, Anita Booth, Meri Sinitt of USAID, and Mulat Yimam, the project’s Deputy Chief of Party, as well as by the school’s principal and event host, Mr. Eyasu Ayalew, and student-gardeners. Mr. Yimam took the opportunity to remind the ambassador of the food garden established by Michelle Obama at the White House, to which Mr. Booth responded by suggesting establishing one at the new U.S. embassy building in Addis Ababa.

More than 5,000 students attend Entoto Amba High School, including more than 2,000 OVCs. The Booths enjoyed watching the project’s teen gardeners employing techniques such as terracing, drip irrigation, and growing vegetables in bags. The students, who took questions from the ambassador, are preparing for a national vegetable growing contest with prizes sponsored by DAI, which implements the project for USAID.

The neighborhood and school-based urban gardens use irrigation drip-kits that conserve water and make the gardens easier to tend for HIV/AIDS-affected persons too weak to perform hard labor, and for youngsters who need to spend their days in school. Beneficiaries grow vegetables to supplement their staple flatbread diet and to sell to help pay for school expenses and other foods. The project also advises on nutrition, identifying and growing higher-valued vegetables and fruits, and bringing these products to market.

While Mr. Booth was touring the garden, the project’s Chief of Party, Nancy Russell, was in Washington, D.C., making presentations to the Global Health Council, USAID, and staff members from the offices of Congressman Russ Carnahan of Missouri and Senators Benjamin Cardin of Maryland, Christopher Coons of Delaware, and Tom Udall of New Mexico. Mr. Carnahan, a member of the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights, had previously visited the project and asked his staff to meet with Ms. Russell for an update.

At the Global Health Council, where Russell was hosted by Policy Manager Duncan Rollason, participants were keen to hear DAI’s views on the importance of integrated programming to projects that support good health. Russell noted how the urban gardens project incorporates elements of farming, irrigation, education, women’s and children’s issues, jobs, and microenterprise. She also described how DAI is helping the city of Addis Ababa develop an urban gardens policy to address issues such as land rights and water usage.

DAI Responds to Cuban Court Ruling in the Case of DAI Subcontractor Alan Gross

Sat, 12 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

Following today's ruling in the case of DAI subcontractor Alan Gross, in which Mr. Gross was sentenced by a Cuban court to a prison term of 15 years, DAI President and Chief Executive Officer James Boomgard issued the following statement:

"We are profoundly disappointed by today's verdict and sentence. Alan Gross has been accused of doing nothing more than giving peaceful people access to the internet, and for this he has already been unjustly imprisoned for more than a year without the benefit of due process and in violation of international law. In light of the critical medical situation confronting Alan and his family, we urge the Cuban government to release him immediately on humanitarian grounds and quickly return him to his family.”

Subcontractors Convene to Learn about Preregistering with DAI

Wed, 02 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

Potential DAI partners gathered Tuesday in Bethesda, Maryland, to learn more about the Competitive Subcontracting Mechanism (CSM), DAI’s system to rapidly identify qualified subcontractors and procure needed services.

The CSM, a growing registry of vetted firms and individuals, will be used to help DAI find well qualified short-term partners to work on existing projects. The deadline for the initial registration to the CSM is March 15.

All firms invited to participate in the CSM will be fully vetted and held to the compliance standards of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Federal Acquisition Regulations. As opportunities for work arise, qualified CSM subcontractors will be evaluated based on technical expertise, management capacity, and other relevant information.

“The CSM represents a better way of doing business for our donors, our subcontractors, and ourselves,” said Valmore Bloomberg, DAI’s director of procurement and subcontracts. “For donors such as USAID, it will deliver to their projects the right technical experts in a timely manner who have competed to work on these projects.

“Our subcontractors will benefit by being presented with real opportunities—activities on projects that are already under contract with us,” said Zan Northrip, managing director of DAI’s Economic Growth sector. “We believe the CSM will help DAI put together leaner project consortia and raise our already good performance against small-business targets still higher.”

Approximately 20 subcontractors came to the event with many posing questions and comments to Bloomberg, Northrip, and Kurt Olsson, DAI’s managing director of acquisitions. Topics included how DAI planned to use information in the registry, for which types of projects the CSM would be used, whether international subcontractors were eligible, and clarifications as to what should be included in the registration forms.

“This is a new mechanism that will evolve, and we value these questions and the points being made,” Olsson said. “We will have a flexible and transparent mechanism.”

Those invited to join DAI’s source list include small businesses, sole proprietors, partnerships, and corporations. Especially sought after are potential partners that fall under the following FAR Part 19 classifications: Small-Disadvantaged, Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned, Woman-Owned, Educational Institutions, Historically Underutilized Business Zones, and Foreign Entities.

Potential DAI partners are asked to fill out a Supplier Profile Form and return it by March 15 to subcontracts@dai.com. Further information can be found on DAI’s website at http://www.dai.com/about/newsroom.php?nid=434 and on DEVEX at http://www.devex.com/en/articles/leading-usaid-contractor-unveils-new-subcontracting-mechanism.

Events in Pakistan, Palestine, and Jordan Mark DAI's 40 Years of Development Success

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

DAI celebrated 40 years in business this past week by hosting events in Pakistan, Palestine, and Jordan for members of government, the development sector, and donor organizations. The events also commemorated DAI’s decades of work in those countries.

Yesterday, in Islamabad, Pakistan, approximately 150 people gathered at the Serena Hotel to hear speakers such as Ms. Shehnaz Wazir Ali, a member the National Assembly, and Dr. Nadeem-ul-Haq, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission of Pakistan. Mr. Zahid Elahi, Managing Director of DAI Pakistan, hosted the event.

Ms. Shehnaz Wazir Ali, until recently the Special Assistant to the Prime Minister of Pakistan for Social Sectors, delivered a presentation titled “The Social Development and Social Capital Dimensions of the Pakistan Growth Strategy.” Dr. Nadeem-ul-Haq, one of the primary engineers of Pakistan’s growth strategy, led a discussion on the importance of public-private partnerships to the strategy.

Also at the event, Ms. Betsy Marcotte, DAI’s Senior Vice President for Technical Programs, made a $5,000 contribution to a nongovernmental organization (NGO) from the Khyber Agency in the FATA. The program will provide word processing and basic computer training to approximately 50 women and at-risk youth in the FATA, including to people with disabilities.

“These organizations, which are working so hard to improve the lives of others, are truly inspiring to all of us at DAI,” Ms. Marcotte said. “We hope this gift makes it a little easier for them to achieve their goals.”

Ms. Marcotte also spoke of how local NGOs and civil society actors in Pakistan inspired the Center for Development Excellence (CDE). DAI launched the CDE in January 2010 to provide training to local NGOs and other organizations in Pakistan and elsewhere so that they could win and successfully implement donor-funded assistance projects. The CDE has conducted training in Pakistan and more than a dozen other countries.

DAI Pakistan’s celebrations were preceded by two similar events in the Middle East. On February 24, the DAI Palestine team, led by Managing Director Said Abu Hijleh, hosted 120 people at the Caesar Hotel in Ramallah, where guests included Minister of National Economy Dr. Hasan Abu Libdeh and Minister of Labor Dr. Ahmad Majdalani. Ms. Marcotte announced a $5,000 scholarship to be awarded by DAI Palestine to a local student based on merit and financial need.

Topics at the Ramallah event included the DAI Palestine-led Facility for New Market Development (FNMD), which is funded by the U.K. Department for International Development with backing from the World Bank, and the FNMD’s recently launched Gaza Back to Work program, which is designed to increase the production and sales of products and services produced by Palestinian businesses in Gaza and to stimulate employment.

On February 22 at the Intercontinental Hotel in Amman, Jordan, DAI Jordan contributed $5,000 to the Business Park for Project Developments at El Hassan Science City. The Business Park, in turn, will award the prize to a client firm that presents the best business plan for introducing clean technology, as selected by the Queen Rania National Entrepreneurship competition.

“In line with DAI’s mission of promoting human prosperity, it is our honor to build on the efforts of those in Jordan who are breaking significant ground in this direction,” Ms. Marcotte told an audience of approximately 150 people. Joining Ms. Marcotte in Jordan and Palestine was Julian Lob-Levyt, Managing Director of DAI Europe and Senior Vice President in charge of DAI’s international offices. DAI Jordan Managing Director Jamal Al-Jabiri hosted.

DAI, which is implementing the Fiscal Reform II Project and Instituting Water Demand Management in Jordan, has also partnered with a Jordanian company to explore the deployment of new, energy-efficient technologies at government facilities.

DAI's Kristi Ragan Urges Innovation to Address Tighter Budgets

Tue, 01 Mar 2011 12:00:00 EST

All development groups should welcome efforts to make their assistance programs more efficient, regardless of whether the funding environment is favorable or not, DAI’s Kristi Ragan told an audience last week at the Georgetown Public Policy Institute Conference 2011 in Washington, D.C.

Ragan, a principal development specialist for public-private partnerships, said congressional scrutiny currently being applied to foreign assistance programming ought to prompt nonprofits, social enterprises, and private donors alike to be more creative in how they work together worldwide to help people and institutions in need.

“Everybody is concerned about potential budgets cuts,” Ragan said. “Whether they happen or not, we should be looking for opportunities to collaborate, ways to reduce overlap, and ways to leverage each other’s expertise and funds, including the expertise and funds of private sector donors who demand development results in the field as well as a return on their bottom line at home.”

Joining Ragan for a panel titled “Innovative Models of Collaboration” were Ellen London of the D.C. Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation, William Schambra of the Hudson Institute’s Bradley Center for Philanthropy and Civic Renewal, and David Witzel of the Environmental Defense Fund. E.J. Dionne Jr. of the Washington Post moderated.

The February 25 panel was held at the Rayburn House Office Building before approximately 140 guests. Morning panels on social entrepreneurship and high-impact nonprofits preceded a keynote address by Sophie Delaunay of Doctors Without Borders.

During the afternoon panel, Ragan urged nonprofits to develop more sustainable models that go beyond fundraising to fee-for-service and other approaches. She added that all development organizations would be wise to increase efficiencies, focus on impact, innovate where possible, and leverage private sector resources aimed at corporate responsibility, supply chain management, and new market entry.

Ragan, a leading expert in building public-private partnerships for improving social and economic conditions in developing countries, is the former Chief of Party of the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Global Development Alliance Strategic Support Program.

Ambassador Eikenberry, USAID Leaders Visit 'Afghan First' Partner in Nangarhar

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST

Ambassador Karl Eikenberry yesterday led a delegation to Sukrhrod District, Afghanistan, to examine a breakthrough business launched in 2006 with support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Mr. Eikenberry, the U.S. Ambassador to Afghanistan, toured the Surkhrod Packing Facility, a female-operated produce packaging operation in Nangarhar province. He was joined by USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah and J. Alexander Thier, assistant to the USAID Administrator and director of the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs.

The Surkhrod Packing Facility, a partner in the U.S. Government’s Afghan First policy, packages high-value vegetables grown by local farmers, including garlic, pepper, squash, chives, carrots, cucumbers, and lettuce. It has evolved from a modest vegetable collection point to a Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP)-certified packaging facility where products are consolidated, sorted, graded, and packed, and then exported to domestic and international buyers and to U.S. personnel in Afghanistan.

Mr. Eikenberry announced the Afghan First program in November 2009. The program directs U.S. personnel to procure goods and services whenever possible from Afghan sources in order to maximize value and timely delivery while also supporting the local economy.

The Surkhrod Packing Facility was established by the USAID-funded Alternative Development Program/Eastern Region, which was implemented by DAI. The facility is in the process of being taken over by an Afghan firm, and is receiving technical support in this transition from the DAI-led and USAID-funded Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East, and West (IDEA-NEW) project.

IDEA-NEW provides agricultural incentives and economic alternatives in the East as well as in regions prone to the opium poppy trade. Nearly all of IDEA-NEW’s 300-plus staff members are Afghans. IDEA-NEW also prioritizes local procurement and has purchased more than $9.3 million in goods and services from Afghan vendors since June 2009.

Since 2009, IDEA-NEW has created 27,700 full-time equivalent jobs in agriculture, expanded sustainable agriculture production by more than 5,824 hectares, facilitated $2.8 million in agricultural exports to Pakistan, and employed more than 26,500 people and paid $4.6 million in wages for community-constructed infrastructure projects.

DAI Staff Share Experiences with Department of Defense Audiences

Fri, 04 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST

DAI staff made presentations to Department of Defense (DoD) audiences over the past week on agribusiness and crisis mitigation.

On February 4, a team from DAI’s Economic Growth sector discussed farming and agriculture supply chains with a class from the National Defense University’s Agribusiness Industry Study Group that included staff from the National Security Council and Department of State.

Hosted by Christopher Reynolds at DAI headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, presenters included William Grant, who discussed the DAI-led Serbia Agribusiness Project and Burundi Agribusiness Program; Alyson Lipsky from the Ethiopia Urban Gardens Program; Jennie Taylor from the Albania Agriculture Competitiveness Program; and Laura Glaeser, who discussed food security.

“Food, farming, and jobs are central to maintaining stability and some quality of life in developing countries and crisis zones,” Reynolds said. “We welcome the opportunity to share our experiences in this area with the military, and partner with them when feasible.”

On January 29, DAI’s Barb Lauer presented on “Reconstruction and Stabilization” to a class at the Industrial College of the Armed Forces (ICAF) at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C. It marked the second time Ms. Lauer shared a development perspective with the masters-level class comprised of U.S. military members and DoD-associated civilians.

Lauer described how DAI builds local relationships, establishes project timelines, and designs, implements, and monitors projects in crisis zones in order to address agricultural development, local governance, job creation, and other needs.

“The military and DAI often cross paths and cooperate in the field, so we really appreciate hearing the military’s perspective on how they help out people while working under challenging circumstances,” said Lauer, DAI’s Technical Area Manager for Crisis Mitigation and Recovery.

Newspaper Names Linda Norgrove International Scotswoman of the Year

Tue, 01 Feb 2011 12:00:00 EST

Former DAI development specialist Linda Norgrove on Thursday was honored posthumously at the 48^th Scotswoman of the Year Awards presented by the Glasgow Evening Times. Norgrove, regional manager for a DAI-led project to create jobs in eastern Afghanistan, was named International Scotswoman of the Year.

The event, held at City Chambers in downtown Glasgow, recognized Norgrove for her work to improve the lives of others in Afghanistan and elsewhere. Norgrove, 36, died October 8, 2010, during the course of the rescue attempt to free her from captors in Kunar Province, Afghanistan.

Jane Cumming accepted the award on behalf of the Norgrove family.

“We set up the Linda Norgrove Foundation in order to continue her work with women, children, and families in Afghanistan and would welcome your support for it,” Cumming said. “But just as importantly, we hope that her example will inspire and encourage other young people to make their own contribution to the world and to choose to live a life that matters.”

In honoring Norgrove, the newspaper presented an international Scotswoman award for only the second time in the event’s history. Actress Eileen McCallum was given the annual Scotswoman of the Year award for raising awareness for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Centarian Margaret Miller was presented a special Editor’s Award for her seven decades of community work.

Norgrove last week was named winner of the 2011 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award.

Linda Norgrove Wins Robert Burns Humanitarian Award

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST

The late Linda Norgrove, a former DAI development specialist, has been named winner of the 2011 Robert Burns Humanitarian Award. Ms Norgrove, who died in October in Afghanistan during a U.S. military-led rescue mission to free her from captors, was recognized during a presentation on January 22 at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum in Alloway, Ayrshire, Scotland.

Ms. Norgrove’s parents, John and Lorna Norgrove, accepted the award from Fiona Hyslop, the Minister for Culture and External Affairs. The Norgroves said they would donate the prize money of £1,850 to the Linda Norgrove Foundation, formed in Ms. Norgrove’s honor to help women and children in Afghanistan.

“Linda lived life to the full and worked hard to change things for the better, both for poor people and for the environment,” Lorna Norgrove said. “We hope her energy, compassion and sense of adventure will be an inspiration for other young people to say ‘yes’ to life’s opportunities, and choose to live a life that matters.”

Now in its 10^th year, the Burns award, named for the famed Scottish poet, is presented annually to a group or individual who has saved, improved, or enriched the lives of others or society as a whole, through personal self-sacrifice, selfless service, or hands-on charitable work.

Linda Norgrove, 36, of Uig on the Isle of Lewis, Scotland, was serving as a regional manager on a DAI-led project to support agricultural development and create jobs in eastern Afghanistan. She was seized on September 26 along with three Afghan colleagues while traveling in Kunar Province. Her colleagues were freed days later, but Ms. Norgrove remained captive until the rescue attempt.

Ms. Norgrove worked from 2002 to 2005 for the World Wildlife Fund in Peru on conservation, poverty reduction, and protecting indigenous communities and their rights. From 2005 to 2009 she worked for the United Nations on jobs and environment projects in Afghanistan. After a short assignment in Laos, Ms. Norgrove returned to Afghanistan in January 2010 to work for DAI on the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded project Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East, and West.

Also nominated for the Burns award were Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, founder of Scottish-based charity Mary's Meals, which provides food and education for poverty-stricken children and communities across Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe; and Madhu Pandit Dasa, founder and Chairman of the Akshaya Patra Foundation, one of the world's largest school meal programs.

DAI Pays Tribute to Linda Norgrove at 40th Anniversary Event in London

Mon, 24 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST

On January 27, DAI will host a gathering of international development professionals at the Institute of Mechanical Engineers in Westminster, as part of the celebrations surrounding the firm’s 40^th anniversary. Among the attendees, DAI is honored to welcome John and Lorna Norgrove, the parents of Linda Norgrove, a DAI employee abducted in the course of her work in Afghanistan and killed in a rescue attempt on October 8, 2010.

In her memory, Linda’s parents have set up the Linda Norgrove Foundation, a grant-giving trust that provides funding for women, families, and children in Afghanistan, focusing on education, health, childcare, and scholarships to help Afghan women go to university.

"Linda was very proud of the work she was doing in Afghanistan with DAI," said John Norgrove. "We are delighted to be able to continue that association by taking advantage of DAI's knowledge and skill base and by doing so help to make a real difference to disadvantaged women and children in Afghanistan."

Hosted by Senior Vice President Dr. Julian Lob-Levyt, the January 27 event is one of a series of 40^th anniversary celebrations at DAI locations worldwide. The first was held in DAI’s Johannesburg office, where DAI President and CEO Dr. James Boomgard presented a cheque for $5,000 to the Amukelani Drop-In Centre, which provides nutrition support, education, and security to almost 300 vulnerable children.

“Holding these events in our international offices is designed to make what could be a retrospective occasion into a forward-looking moment that sets the stage for the next phase in DAI’s evolution as a global development company,” said Dr. Boomgard. Similar events are planned for DAI’s offices in Jordan, Palestine, and Pakistan.

The London event kicks off with a debate titled “Support to the Private Sector: A Sustainable Escape Route from Poverty?” Moderated by Dr. Lob-Levyt, panelists will evaluate the effectiveness of private sector development projects and discuss their proper place in emerging international development strategy. At a reception following the debate, DAI will make a contribution to the Linda Norgrove Foundation, as well as contributions to the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Pakistan Floods Appeal and to VSO, an organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries.

Founded in 1970, DAI is an independent, employee-owned, mission-driven development firm. DAI has worked in 160 developing and transition countries, and currently provides development solutions in 60 countries, including programs in crisis mitigation and stability operations, private sector development and financial services, agriculture and agribusiness, democratic governance and public sector management, economics and trade, water and natural resources management, HIV/AIDS and zoonotic disease control, and energy and climate change.

For more information on DAI, contact:

Steven O’Connor

steven_o’connor@dai.com

Tel: +1 301 771 7834

For more information on the Linda Norgrove Foundation, contact:

Jane Cumming

jane.cumming@platformpr.co.uk

Tel: +44 01463 783018

DAI Invites Subcontractors to Preregister for Partnership Opportunities

Fri, 21 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST

DAI is inviting potential subcontractors to preregister with DAI to be available to work with DAI on future projects and proposals. This represents a new approach by DAI for teaming and subcontracting on opportunities with the U.S. government and other customers.

The firm’s Competitive Subcontracting Mechanism (CSM) will be used to rapidly identify qualified subcontractors and procure needed services, both for assignments on fully executed contracts and task orders, and for assembling teams for proposals for new projects. All firms judged eligible as CSM subcontractors will be fully vetted by DAI, holding them to the compliance standards of the U.S. Agency for International Development and Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR).

In creating the CSM, DAI is deepening its commitment to partnering with a variety of qualified businesses. These businesses will serve as pre-approved potential partners with a wide range of technical specialties that can be quickly called on to perform assignments on DAI projects.

Those invited to join DAI’s source list include sole proprietors, partnerships, corporations, U.S. government entities (federal, state, and local), foreign governments, and international organizations. Especially sought after are potential partners that fall under the following FAR Part 19 classifications: Nonprofits, Small-Disadvantaged, Veteran-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran Owned, Woman-Owned, Educational Institutions, Historically Underutilized Business Zones, and Foreign Entities.

Potential partners are asked to fill out a Supplier Profile Form and return it by February 18 to subcontracts@dai.com; further information can be found in the request for information (RFI). Any questions about the RFI should be emailed by January 27 to subcontracts@dai.com and reference the specific section and page number from the RFI in question.

DAI Stabilization Work Pushes On One Year After Haiti Earthquake

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST

DAI was contracted in January 2010 to help bring stability quickly to Haitians traumatized by the horrific earthquake.

Hired because we could mobilize effectively and had existing operations in Haiti, DAI within days of the earthquake launched the Haiti Recovery Initiative (HRI), an 18-month, $50 million project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Office for Transition Initiatives (OTI). The goals: organize cash-for-work programs to clear rubble and help stabilize neighborhoods, restore core functions to the Government of Haiti so it could oversee the country’s recovery, and facilitate much-needed dialogue between Haitians and their government.

One year later, the results are notable. More than 32,000 local residents hired by HRI, including 11,100 women, have cleared 360,000 cubic meters of rubble from the streets and canals of the capital of Port-au-Prince, earning approximately $4 million in wages. In this temporary employment program alone, HRI has subcontracted $9.5 million to Haitian firms, including for heavy equipment rentals, tools, protective equipment, and provision of basic health coverage and vaccinations for temporary employees. DAI engages 50 Haitians directly as HRI employees. And this is just the start.

When the quake struck at 4:53 p.m. January 12, 2010, DAI staff from another project in Port-au-Prince were immediately thrust into the unfolding emergency. In the first hours and days, the Economic Development for a Sustainable Environment (DEED) team provided vehicles and knowledgeable drivers, both in very short supply, for the international rescue effort, even as many staff searched for their own colleagues and families and provided them with food and shelter. With experienced personnel and existing facilities, the DEED team provided critical early support to USAID, and then to incoming DAI emergency teams, to set up HRI. Offering its dedicated satellite internet link and backup power systems, DEED's office became a hub of communications, logistics, and even staff housing in those initial weeks as HRI got to work.

Temporary employment programs soon proved critical to opening roads to traffic, including those roads needed for emergencies. These local workers—earthquake victims all—also cleared canals so that Haiti’s prodigious rainwater flowed from the surrounding hills into the bay instead of flooding streets and tent camps teeming with thousands of displaced people.

The DEED project shifted back to working with the farmers in rural areas where the tragedy in the capital had disrupted, if not devastated, agricultural markets. The loss of purchasing power by the main market and lack of truck transport caused commodity prices to plummet, so DEED helped producers identify buyers and move their harvests. This was particularly essential for the regional cocoa growing program in the north.

Haiti was already desperately poor, and the quake shattered the Port-au-Prince area, burying alive or maiming hundreds of thousands of people and leaving miles of buildings and homes collapsed and infrastructure broken. Circumstances since have only complicated the challenge for aid efforts. Among them:

An estimated 850,000 in and around the capital still live in tent camps where assaults and robberies occur too often and where tensions run high between the homeless and property owners.

Since October, an ongoing cholera outbreak centered 60 miles north of Port-au-Prince has killed more than 3,700, sickened at least 178,000 more, and has yet to be contained.

Hurricane Tomas struck on November 5, sparing Port-au-Prince but flooding refugee camps to the west.

Presidential elections held in late November remain contested with results and the date for a run-off vote yet to be announced. Protests and volatility followed the release of provisional results, and more unrest is anticipated.

Despite these and other hurdles, HRI pushed on over the past year with action leading to results and has stood out among the many aid efforts underway in Haiti, innovating as needed to solve problems quickly—and even providing some much-needed fun to uplift spirits.

In September, HRI opened an office in Cap-Haitien, Haiti’s second-largest city, to which approximately 100,000 people fled after the earthquake. HRI rehabilitated an all-girls public school and three other schools in Cap-Haitien, and provided nearly 3,800 children with backpacks containing school supplies. The city hosted a two-day, HRI-sponsored festival of music, dance, and comedy where thousands partied into the night. Basketball and soccer tournaments in Port-au-Prince and Cap-Haitien have similarly built community spirit and diverted young people from the draw of gang activity.

Temporary employment programs to clear rubble—which continue today site by site under local leadership—and other local initiatives make up only part of HRI’s mission; the project has also helped the national government with the means to operate.

Destroyed along with most government facilities was the General Directorate of Tax (DGI), where each month an estimated 4,500 business owners and 7,600 individuals do business. The DGI collects taxes, fees, and other revenues; records deeds and legal documents; and distributes tax identification cards and driver’s licenses, among other duties. In semi-permanent facilities provided by the World Bank and USAID, HRI outfitted the DGI and three other Ministry of Economy and Finance departments with phones, computers, printers, and other equipment and training necessary for this crucial directorate to function.

Before the earthquake, DGI was in a rundown five-story building. Now comfortably housed on one level, DGI has centralized services to improve performance.

“It’s been my dream to connect all the technical departments on one floor, to facilitate the process and encourage taxpayers,” said Robert Joseph, the DGI Director General. “Fortunately, out of the earthquake came this opportunity to improve services and increase efficiency for our office.”

Just as critical was HRI’s mission to help citizens and public officials talk to each other. Twelve days after the earthquake, the project established a temporary press center from which the Government of Haiti held daily press conferences to update the citizenry on relief efforts and enable reporters from around the world to file stories and meet and interview government officials.

The press center also enabled the government to respond to an urgent need for information in the aftermath of the tragedy. Earthquake survivors were told where to find food distribution points and emergency health care, and informed of security measures and efforts being made to rescue earthquake survivors. After days of silence and growing pessimism about the Government of Haiti’s capacity to react, this helped improve the government’s image on the ground.

During the cholera outbreak, health messages overtook news on the presidential debates as HRI-funded “News You Can Use” was broadcast on more than 40 radio stations, providing information on prevention, detection, and treatment.

To facilitate the elections, HRI established another temporary press center at a rented conference room in Pétionville near the Provisional Electoral Council headquarters. The project equipped the venue with sound equipment, lighting, broadband internet, and other equipment, and around-the-clock services. The council used a room designated for press conferences to inform the nation of pre- and post-election developments, while local and foreign press filed reports and conducted interviews next door from the media center.

Citizens participated in the process through www.haitielections2010.com, where on election day 57,551 website hits from Haiti and 148 other countries, including 17,763 unique users, helped the public follow events in real time. Numerous reports, comments, and public opinion polls have since been posted on the HRI-funded website.

DEED has since returned to its main agriculture and environment activities. In July and August, 15 producer groups graduated from the business development training program, with one group going on to win a national entrepreneur competition and $20,000 cash prize for its work in horticulture production and commercialization. The project enters its final year on the anniversary of the earthquake, with another group of 50 farm organizations entering the training program and DEED working to develop microcredit facilities for rural producers. It continues its local government strengthening effort with the six communes where it works along with the Ministry of Agriculture, and it is extending its challenge grant program to incorporate other Haitian business partners in the development of Haiti's agriculture.

HRI will continue through the first half of 2011 to develop and implement programs designed to sustain and improve people’s lives beyond the project’s end on July 17, 2011. In this spirit, the DAI-supported Center for Development Excellence (CDE) is planning in April to conduct a workshop in Haiti. The workshop, “Doing Business with USAID,” will be given in French and Creole and will aim to deepen the participation of Haitian businesses in donor-funded recovery and reconstruction efforts.

Film Documenting the Lives of Haiti's Street Orphans Airs January 11 on PBS

Tue, 11 Jan 2011 12:00:00 EST

A film co-produced by a member of DAI’s Haiti Recovery Initiative staff will air at 10 p.m. on January 11 on a number of Public Broadcasting Service channels. The 73-minute film, Children of Haiti, directed by Alexandria Hammond and co-produced by DAI senior program development officer Regine Zamor, documents the lives of street children in the northern city of Cap-Haitien. It has been screened at several U.S. film festivals, and the PBS airing will be its television premier.

Filmed over a two-year period prior to the January 12, 2010, earthquake, Children of Haiti examines the lives of orphans in the country. Formerly titled Strange Things, Children of Haiti focuses on three teen-aged boys who reflect on their country and their lives while sharing a common dream of education, government assistance, and social acceptance.

For more information on the movie, click here.

Wednesday, January 12, marks the one-year anniversary of the earthquake that killed more than 230,000 people, injured 300,000 more, and left 1 million homeless. Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of Transition Initiatives, the Haiti Recovery Initiative continues earthquake recovery efforts through programming that addresses community stabilization, citizen participation, and government support.

DAI Makes Donations to Help Students and Development Practitioners

Thu, 23 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI has marked the holiday season by making charitable donations to help students at home and development practitioners abroad.

The firm recently gave $107,500 to help incorporate the InfoSpring.org question-and-answer website into the Master of Public Administration in Development Practice program at Columbia University. InfoSpring was created by the DAI-sponsored Development Practitioners Forum to allow practitioners in the field to communicate with one another and share best practices in real time.

Columbia’s MPA-DP program was launched in fall 2008 as the first program of a global network of graduate degree programs supported by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. The network strives to provide aspiring development professionals with the tools and academic background needed to succeed in this field.

Founded in 1970, employee-owned DAI is celebrating its 40^th anniversary by making a series of local charitable donations through its international offices. The staff is also contributing to the Linda Norgrove Foundation, a new Scotland-based grant-giving trust to provide funding for women, families, and children in Afghanistan. The Foundation will seek to provide assistance in education, health, and childcare, as well as scholarships to help Afghan women go to university. Ms. Norgrove is a former DAI employee who was leading a development project in eastern Afghanistan when she was kidnapped on September 26, 2010. She died on October 8 in the course of a rescue attempt.

The firm this month also contributed closer to home, giving $25,000 to the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C., a public high school whose rigorous academic standards are embodied in a curriculum including Instrumental Music, Literary Media & Communication, Museum Studies, Theater, Technical Design and Production, Vocal Music, and Visual Arts. The school welcomes students from all backgrounds and from throughout the city. The Ellington school donation is to help offset the school’s current operating deficit, secure additional arts training, and help bring its success and innovation to the attention of new supporters and potential sponsors.

DAI Marks 40th Anniversary with History Book, International Celebrations

Wed, 22 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI was founded in 1970. In 2010, we have marked this anniversary by commissioning The First 40: A History of DAI.

“There are three reasons we wanted to write a book to mark DAI’s 40th anniversary,” writes James Boomgard, DAI’s President and Chief Executive Officer, in his foreword to the book. “First, to preserve the story of our beginnings. We tell the story often, but this is the first time it has been written down. Second, to remind ourselves that our mission, values, and behaviors are real, living principles woven into the fabric of the company and exemplified in the people who built it. Third, to create a scrapbook of memories of some of the people and events that have shaped the company over our first 40 years.”

Produced by professional historian Dr. Kenneth D. Durr and his colleagues at History Associates, Inc., the book chronicles DAI’s evolution from a start-up launched by three graduates of the Kennedy School of Government to its current position as one of the world’s leading international development organizations, with 100 ongoing projects in 60 countries. “A disciplined approach to doing business made this growth possible,” noted Dr. Durr, but “an unwavering commitment to making a difference in the world has been the company’s internal compass throughout.”

As part of its 40^th anniversary celebrations, DAI is holding various events at its international subsidiaries, the first of which was held at ECIAfrica in Johannesburg late last month. Jim Boomgard and other senior DAI executives joined ECIAfrica Managing Director Claudia Manning and the South Africa team in hosting scores of friends and partners at Hazeldene Hall. To mark the occasion, Dr. Boomgard presented a check for $5,000 to Joyce Ngomane, founder of the Amukelani Drop-In Centre.

Ms. Ngomane launched the Centre in January in the Bushbuckridge region in Mpumalanga, an area served by one of ECIAfrica’s most successful programs, the Maruleng and Bushbuckridge Economic Development Initiative (MABEDI). The Centre provides nutrition support, education, and security to almost 300 vulnerable children, screened by the Department of Social Development, and it has acquired three hectares of land on which it will establish a school-based food garden.

“As MABEDI comes to an end,” noted the ECIAfrica newsletter, “our financial support to Amukelani is a reflection of our efforts to not only create and sustain livelihoods, but also to enhance social support initiatives, particularly in urban gardens programmes and home-based care centres.”

Similar celebrations of DAI’s 40 years in business will be held at various DAI locations around the world. Holding these events in our international offices is designed to make what could be a retrospective occasion into a forward-looking moment that sets the stage for the next phase in DAI’s evolution, as the firm transitions from being an American company with a global presence into a global company with a local presence. As Dr. Boomgard notes in his foreword to The First 40:

“The real importance of this moment . . . is not the first 40 years, but the next 40—most critically, the next 10. The next 10 years will determine whether we can make an American success story into a global success story.”

For a complimentary copy of The First 40: A History of DAI, please contact Danielle Jaffee at Danielle_jaffee@dai.com.

London Event Probes How to Factor Political Context into Development Assistance

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

Development assistance works best when the local political context is understood and founders when political realities are neglected. Robust research and evidence supports this seemingly obvious conclusion, but applying it in practice remains difficult.

About 50 development experts and representatives from leading international donors met December 7-8 in London to discuss ways to best infuse local political sensibilities into the design, implementation, and evaluation of projects meant to improve lives in the developing world.

“Politics into Practice: A Dialogue on Governance Strategies and Action in International Development,” was convened by the Overseas Development Institute (ODI), Britain's leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues, and supported by DAI.

Attendees—including representatives from the donor agencies of the United Kingdom, Australia, Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, and the United States—were seeking to improve the policy uptake of recent findings and lessons learned on political governance and development, and translate these into operational priorities and ways of working, specifically:

Operationalizing political economy analysis within agencies;

Incentivizing reform;

Considering the implications of politically informed engagement in fragile and conflict-affected settings; and

Communicating to electorates and parliaments, and influencing the general climate of political opinion in donor countries on governance and development.

Political economy analysis shows that governance issues have critical implications for the design and implementation of programs across a broad spectrum of the development agenda. “DAI's model of governance reform aligns closely with this view,” said DAI’s Ann Hudock after the event. “We approach governance from the perspective of how it contributes to advancements in health, economic growth, environment, and conflict mitigation, as well as from the perspective of deepening democracy.”

Dr. Hudock, Managing Director of DAI’s Governance Sector, led DAI’s participation in the roundtable. Also representing DAI were Julian Lob-Levyt, Senior Vice President and Managing Director of DAI Europe; Edward Rackley, a relief, recovery, and conflict mitigation expert; and Tomas Bridle, a veteran governance expert currently leading DAI’s project to build capacity in Kyrgyzstan’s fledgling parliament. Tim Kernan brought his insights into parliamentary engagement to the discussion.

The dialogue continued a series of events focused on the implications of governance research and political economy analysis for international development, including a June 2010 meeting in Washington, D.C., hosted by DAI and the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. Carnegie also participated in last week’s London event, as did officials from the World Bank, The Asia Foundation, the United Nations Development Programme, and others. Marta Foresti, Andy Norton, and Alison Evans (ODI) gave opening and closing remarks.

Fall 2010 Issue of Developments Newsletter Now Available

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

The fall issue of DAI's Developments newsletter is now available.

Leading off the issue, Chuck Coon reports on how the Iraq Rapid Assistance Program successfully promoted voter turnout in this year’s elections to the national Council of Representatives, a tremendous endorsement of democracy in a nation emerging from decades of war and oppression.

Inside the issue, two stories from our Environment and Energy Sector focus on climate change and sustainability issues. David Nicholson writes about adapting to climate change in the Red Sea, with a focus on the region’s critical tourism industry; Arun Abraham, Bien Dolom, Casimiro Olvida, Kevin Carlucci, and Christy Owen discuss the payment for ecosystem services (PES) approach employed by the U.S. Agency for International Development’s (USAID’s) Environmental Governance Project in Muslim Mindanao. PES arrangements “are no panacea for environmental stewardship,” the authors caution, but they may be succeeding in “altering the optic from how to protect ecosystems from development to how to manage ecosystems for development.”

Building the capacity of local development practitioners is a second theme of the issue. Caesar Layton of DAI’s Health Sector reflects on a recent assignment to assist the Khmer HIV/AIDS Alliance, a health-focused Cambodian nongovernmental organization that has decided to invest in its livelihood development capacity. Mike Walsh, Mehreen Tanvir, and Katherine Doyle bring institutional capacity strengthening down to a very personal level in their account of the development professionals emerging as a key audience and client base for the Center for Development Excellence.

Two articles speak to DAI’s growing portfolio in the food security arena: Chuck Chopak, who leads DAI’s work in this area, describes his recent evaluation of the World Food Programme’s activities in Chad, while Kate Ogorzaly outlines the USAID Urban Gardens Program’s effort to bridge food security and health programming in Ethiopia.

The promise of such integrated programming was a key factor in persuading Julian Lob-Levyt, a renowned expert in the field of global health, to join DAI in November. An interview with Dr. Lob-Levyt is one of three pieces—the others feature Claudia Manning, Managing Director of ECIAfrica, and Tim Beans, DAI’s new Senior Vice President of Business Operations—that focus on leading development professionals who have joined the firm this year and will chart its course in 2011 and beyond.

Finally, we remember Linda Norgrove, our colleague on the Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East and West (IDEA-NEW) program in Afghanistan, who was abducted by militants and, tragically, killed in the course of a rescue attempt in October. We reproduce the remarks spoken at Linda’s funeral by her friend and colleague on IDEA-NEW, Jonathan Greenham. In his CEO's Desk column, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Boomgard also remembers Linda, and he explores some of the security issues faced by development organizations in Afghanistan.

To view Developments online, click here. For print copies or to be added to our mailing list, contact Danielle Jaffee at Danielle_Jaffee@dai.com.

DAI Describes How It Engaged the Private Sector in the Fight Against Avian Influenza

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

Livestock production has a significant impact on people’s health, particularly in developing nations where the private sector must serve as an ally in promoting public health. That message was delivered earlier this month at an Arlington, Virginia, workshop where DAI and its partners presented lessons learned from the STOP AI project.

STOP AI (Stamping Out Pandemic and Avian Influenza), a four-year, $35 million project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was tasked with building the capacity of developing countries to prevent and respond to outbreaks of H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). HPAI is devastating in poultry and has proven deadly to more than half of the humans it infects. The possibility that it might develop into a human pandemic has alarmed public health officials since the strain was first identified in 1997.

While wild birds have been shown to carry the virus, it circulates primarily through complex trade networks in poultry and poultry products; disrupting virus transmission in these networks was one major focus of STOP AI.

“Poultry production is primarily an economic activity, so we needed to demonstrate compelling economic incentives to producers in order to convince them to help fight the disease,” said Robert Ryan-Silva, STOP AI’s Deputy Chief of Party and co-organizer of the workshop. “The public health argument is not enough.”

The workshop’s 85 attendees—representing donors, universities, development firms, and nongovernmental organizations—heard details of DAI’s work to improve biosecurity in live bird markets in Bangladesh, Indonesia, and West Africa. Traders in these countries upgraded their facilities with easier-to-clean tiled surfaces, more hygienic slaughtering facilities, and infrastructure for cleaning cages and vehicles. Markets adopted better biosecurity practices such as regularly scheduled days when the market was closed for cleaning and disinfection.

In some markets, simple biogas plants were installed to convert poultry waste into fuel for cooking or running generators. Because the process kills most viruses and bacteria, the rich fertilizer produced as a byproduct is much safer than the unprocessed poultry litter traditionally sold by producers.

“The cleaner markets were significantly more popular with consumers, showing the traders a real dividend for the extra effort,” Ryan-Silva said. “In some places, particularly in Nigeria, we saw markets that had not participated in the program adopting the changes on their own when they saw the consumer reaction.”

STOP AI’s supply chain certification activity in Vietnam worked with small and midsized poultry producers to market their products more competitively by advertising their biosecurity practices. The team worked with producers to choose slow-growth poultry breeds strongly preferred by Vietnamese consumers, and to raise and slaughter them in highly biosecure conditions. This greatly reduced the need for antibiotics and other additives of concern to consumers, enabling the project to help purveyors brand and market their higher-quality product at a premium price.

A two-year biosecurity program conducted by DAI’s sister project in Indonesia, the Community-Based Avian Influenza Control Project, showed that consistent application of best practices in biosecurity reduced costs for small and midsized producers, more than paying for the necessary modest investments. The program engaged Indonesian and multinational poultry companies to provide training in biosecurity practices to their contract growers in high-risk areas.

Many donor and government initiatives have tried to stem the spread of HPAI, but STOP AI is unique in that it worked with both human and animal health authorities to fight the disease. The project trained more than 15,000 participants in 49 countries in biosecurity, laboratory techniques, surveillance methodologies, and response. A municipal toolkit developed and piloted by DAI’s implementing partner, MSH, covered pandemic impact projection, triage, food security, emergency communication, volunteer coordination, and safe disposal of dead birds.

Of particular interest to participants were the project’s tabletop simulations and field drills, which brought together veterinary and human health officials—often for the first time—to conduct practical, hands-on simulations of disease response. These drills improved readiness, tested the response plans already in place, and built networks that would be invaluable in a real emergency.

“A great deal of the credit for interrupting the transmission of H5N1 goes to the people in this room,” said USAID’s Murray Trostle in the workshop’s closing remarks, in which he hailed STOP AI’s work as helping to create a new paradigm for public health.

Author Jason Saul Describes Why Businesses Are Investing in Social Programs

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

Providing food and medicine cheaply are good deeds. For Wal-Mart, it is also good business.

The giant retailer’s pharmacy market share rose dramatically after 2006 when it launched a $4 prescription program for generic drugs. Patients flocked to the stores to save money on their medicine, prompting big pharmacy chains to follow suit.

Wal-Mart also donates generously to food banks, where poor people seeking food are enrolled into food-stamp programs; the newly created food stamps are, in turn, often redeemed for groceries at Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club stores.

Jason Saul writes in his new book, Social Innovation, Inc., that these initiatives were planned as business strategies, yet their social impact—cheap food and medicine for low-income people—might be greater than any philanthropic effort could produce. On December 9, Saul told an audience at the Johns Hopkins School for Advanced International Studies (SAIS) that if aid organizations wish to receive funding from big business, they should imagine ways to benefit the donor corporation as well as the needy.

“It is incumbent on us to raise the bar on expectations of corporations, but in an opportunistic way,” Saul said. “At the end of the day, we have to innovate.”

More than 100 people packed the conference room at SAIS for the event sponsored by DAI and the Society for International Development’s Washington Chapter. DAI’s Kristi Ragan, co-chair of SID-Washington’s Corporate Responsibility workgroup, made introductory remarks, noting that public-private partnerships have much room and opportunity to improve.

Saul, a lecturer at Northwestern University and author of numerous books and articles on social strategy and measurement, said that corporations are slowly starting to believe there is real economic value associated with social change. But most chief financial officers and investors, he added, expect their corporate social responsibility activities to create shareholder value.

Social innovation, Saul said, is an intentional business strategy that leverages a company’s core business to create economic value and positive social change. It goes beyond traditional charitable giving in which nothing is expected in return.

After his presentation, Saul took questions from audience members on topics such as the ethics of partnering with self-seeking corporations, the relevance or irrelevance of “corporate relations” departments to the core business, and corporations’ efforts toward putting a dollar value on social innovation and impact.

Instead of aid groups and development firms recoiling at the idea of being funded by corporations, Saul argued, “We need to ask ourselves, ‘How can we maximize the good we get out of these companies?’”

On December 10, Saul gave a presentation at DAI headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, on his theory of social change and the need for better metrics to go along with these innovations. He also met with DAI’s Health Sector.

Bangladesh Parliament Launches Budget Analysis and Monitoring Unit

Wed, 08 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Bangladesh parliament—Jatiya Sangsad—this week took a major step toward making national budgeting more efficient by inaugurating its Budget Analysis and Monitoring Unit (BAMU).

The BAMU will provide in-house expertise to Members of Parliament to analyze and monitor the preparation and implementation of the national budget, with the goal of improving management of public funds and enabling greater transparency in the process.

The Honorable Speaker of the Jatiya Sangsad, Mr. Md. Abdul Hamid, and the U.S. Ambassador to Bangladesh, James F. Moriarty, jointly inaugurated the unit during a ceremony at the national Parliament House in Dhaka.

“The current initiative to strengthen budgetary oversight capacity of parliament by establishing a well functioning Budget Analysis and Monitoring Unit in parliament secretariat can provide effective support to Members of Parliament to hold informed debates in the Parliament House and scrutinize the budget in the committees,” Mr. Hamid said.

The BAMU was established through the DAI-led Promoting Governance, Accountability, Transparency and Integrity (PROGATI) project, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development. It is housed within the parliament secretariat with 10 parliament officials assigned to conduct budget analysis. BAMU officials received training from PROGATI on courses such as Gender Budgeting and Understanding Ministry of Finance Reports. The BAMU officers are now preparing a budget compendium and midterm budget review for fiscal year 2011 for the Members of Parliament. The unit has already started responding to questions received from Members on budget issues.

Jatiya Sangsad’s establishment of BAMU is the latest effort by key Bangladeshi institutions to strengthen their independent oversight of government expenditures. PROGATI is also assisting the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General to promote scrutiny of public spending. More than 150 government auditors are now using new techniques to identify fraud and corruption during regular public audits.

Congressman Chris Van Hollen Visits DAI, Meets with Staff

Tue, 07 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

Work performed by DAI in the developing world is important from a humanitarian view but is also critical to U.S. foreign policy, Congressman Chris Van Hollen said December 6 during a visit to DAI headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.

Mr. Van Hollen, a Democrat representing Maryland’s 8^th Congressional District and incoming Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, noted that foreign assistance spending will be on the table as the incoming Congress wrestles to close the federal budget deficit.

“But we can’t [cut spending] at the expense of our national security and foreign policy interests,” Mr. Van Hollen told DAI staff, calling development work in needful areas integral to U.S. interests.

Mr. Van Hollen, who represents the district in which DAI is located, visited DAI at the invitation of James Boomgard, DAI’s President and CEO. After meeting with Dr. Boomgard, the Congressman attended a breakfast reception where he was briefed on two DAI projects: Africa LEAD, which is building capacity among the African continent’s emerging food security actors; and RESPOND, under which DAI is improving global capacity to respond to emerging infectious and zoonotic diseases. Both projects are funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

Mr. Van Hollen was also briefed on DAI’s Center for Development Excellence, which conducts seminars in developing countries for local practitioners seeking to win and effectively manage donor-funded projects.

Afterward, Mr. Van Hollen took questions from DAI staffers on topics such as revising the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 and U.S. development priorities abroad. The Congressman also congratulated employee-owned DAI on the company’s success and for its 40^th anniversary, which is being marked this year.

“I don’t think most Americans have an appreciation for what you do and the risks you take,” Mr. Van Hollen said.

Laura Viehmyer Joins DAI as Vice President for Human Resources

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI announced today that Laura Viehmyer, whose career spans 25 years in human resources and general management for both nonprofit and for-profit organizations, has been named DAI’s Vice President for Human Resources. Viehmyer will be responsible for all human resource functions, including benefits, compensation, employee relations, recruitment, talent management, and training and development.

Viehmyer most recently served as Vice President for Human Resources at United States Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), the Rockville, Maryland-based standards-setting authority for prescription and over-the-counter medicines and other healthcare products manufactured or sold in the United States. Her scope of responsibilities encompassed both USP’s headquarters in Rockville and its international offices and laboratories.

Previously, she held executive and senior management positions at organizations including the American Institute of Architects, ICS USA, the American Council of Life Insurance, and the Arnold Palmer Golf Management Company.

Viehmyer holds a master of science degree in human resource management from the University of Maryland School of Management and Technology, and is an adjunct faculty member at the Catholic University of America’s Metropolitan School of Professional Studies in Washington, D.C., and the University of Maryland University College School of Business. Viehmyer has earned the following designations: Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (CEBS), and Certified Association Executive (CAE).

Active in several human resource-related organizations, she is a frequent guest speaker at professional association meetings in the Washington metropolitan area.

ECIAfrica Board Member Soto Ndukwana Dies in Car Accident

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST

It is with great sadness that DAI reports the death of Soto Ndukwana, a board member of ECIAfrica, DAI’s partly owned subsidiary based in Johannesburg, South Africa. Mr. Ndukwana, 54, and his 22-year-old daughter, Zola, were killed November 23 in a car accident near Bloemfontein in Free State province.

Mr. Ndukwana, a native of Eastern Cape, was a prominent businessman and a significant shareholder in Safika Holdings, a South African investment firm that specializes in enterprise development. After serving a sentence on Robben Island from 1976 to 1986 as a political prisoner during the apartheid era, he earned several college degrees before embarking on his business career.

“Over the past few years, I had come to appreciate Soto's wisdom and conviction,” said James Boomgard, DAI’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “His passion for ECIAfrica was tangible and he was always a pleasure to be around. We will miss him.”

DAI Facility Attacked, All DAI and Security Personnel Safe

Mon, 29 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST

A DAI compound in Jalalabad in eastern Afghanistan was attacked on November 26 by unidentified assailants. Swift action by the staff of DAI’s security subcontractor, Edinburgh International, prevented any injury to the DAI and Edinburgh International professionals in the facility.

Afghan police responded promptly and effectively to the incident. DAI staff resident in the compound were relocated for the night, then transferred to Kabul for debriefing.

DAI is carrying out various development activities in the region, from promoting small enterprises and helping farmers boost their productivity to supporting local governments and communities in their efforts to deliver better services and infrastructure for local people. These activities continue with only minor disruption.

Vietnam Cited by World Bank for Reforms to its Business Environment

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST

Vietnam in recent years has experienced one of the world’s fastest-growing economies, and the country has worked hard to reform its business environment accordingly. On November 4, the country was cited as one of the world’s top reformers with the release of Doing Business 2011, the World Bank’s eighth annual ranking of business regulatory environments.

Vietnam improved from 88^th to 78^th in the world rankings of 183 economies during the past year, with the World Bank highlighting the country’s strong reforms in starting a business, dealing with construction permits, and getting credit.

“These reforms had direct benefits for the business community,” said Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Chairman of the Office of the Government, as quoted in Vietnam News. The Minister oversees the Prime Minister’s massive administrative simplification program of over 5,076 administrative procedures operating at central and local levels that are estimated to save up to US$1.4 billion per year once the reform is fully implemented.

The Government of Vietnam is leading the country’s business reform with assistance from two U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) projects since 2001: Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative -- Phase Two (VNCI II), which supports the Prime Minister’s administrative simplification program, among other activities; and Support for Trade Acceleration Project (STAR II) and a follow-on activity, which support legal and institutional reforms to enable Vietnam’s economic growth through trade and investment and economic integration. Both projects are being implemented by DAI.

Vietnam’s reforms as described in Doing Business 2011 include:

Vietnam eased company start-up by creating a one-stop shop that combines the processes for obtaining a business license and tax license and by eliminating the need for a seal for company licensing.

Vietnam made dealing with construction permits easier by reducing the cost to register newly completed buildings by 50 percent and transferring the authority to register buildings from local authorities to the Department of Natural Resources and Environment.

Vietnam improved its credit information system by allowing borrowers to examine their own credit report and correct errors.

“Governments worldwide have been consistently taking steps to empower local entrepreneurs,” said Neil Gregory, Acting Director, Global Indicators and Analysis, World Bank Group, in a press release. “The economies most affected by the financial crisis … have been targeting regulatory reforms over the past year to make it easier for small and medium-size enterprises to recover and to create jobs.”

DAI has worked in Vietnam since 1990 for a number of donors. In addition to VNCI II and STAR II, the firm is currently implementing USAID’s Support the Improvement of Industrial Relations project.

DAI's Dana Kenney Leads Panel on Low Carbon Growth in Developing Countries

Thu, 11 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST

As countries develop, their economies grow but so does the amount of energy they use and greenhouse gases (GHG) they emit. Promoting low carbon growth in developing countries, according to DAI’s Dana Kenney, is key to reducing global GHG emissions and limiting the extent of climate change.

Kenney delivered her remarks November 10 to kick off a panel discussion, “Low Carbon Growth Strategies—Case Studies from India, Indonesia, Vietnam, and the Philippines,” at the Johns Hopkins University Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Society for International Development—Washington Chapter’s Energy and Infrastructure Committee.

“One of developing countries’ foremost concerns is that efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will adversely affect their economic growth,” said Kenney, a senior development specialist with DAI’s Energy and Climate Change team. “Significant technical assistance and funding will be required if they are to truly de-link their economic growth from increasing GHG emissions.”

Along with Kenney, who served as moderator, panelists included Alexander Ochs, director of the Energy and Climate Program at the Worldwatch Institute, an independent research organization; Samuel Tumiwa of the Office of the Director General of the Asian Development Bank’s Regional and Sustainable Development Department, and coordinator of the bank’s efforts to promote clean energy; and Athena Ronquillo-Ballesteros, a senior associate at the World Resources Institute.

The panelists shared examples of the worldwide movement to develop low carbon growth strategies (LCGS), also called low emissions development strategies, and discussed the impetus behind Asian countries’ commitments to developing and implementing LCGS, critical issues to be addressed, and assistance being provided to ensure their successful development and implementation.

As background, Kenney noted that developed countries represent 20 percent of the world’s population but account for 46 percent of global GHG emissions, while the 80 percent of the world’s population living in developing countries account for just 54 percent of GHG emissions. But up to 75 percent of future new GHG emissions, she said, are projected to come from developing countries, making it vital to incorporate low carbon growth policies and technologies into development strategies.

Kenney joined DAI in September and has consulted on the firm’s acclaimed Instituting Water Demand Management in Jordan project. Prior to joining DAI she led low carbon growth projects for the City of Chicago and the U.S. Agency for International Development.

DAI's John Bowman: Women Must Be Prioritized in Agriculture and Nutrition Programs

Fri, 05 Nov 2010 12:00:00 EST

Improving agriculture with an eye toward promoting good nutrition would seem like a natural fit, but women’s roles must be accounted for in any such programming, according to DAI’s Dr. John Bowman.

“I’m open to the argument that agriculture and nutrition program designers together can make a better product, but only as long as they take time to build in gender outcomes,” Dr. Bowman said during a forum on November 1 in Washington, D.C., cosponsored by AED and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

Dr. Bowman, a principal development specialist in DAI’s Health Sector, co-moderated a breakout session during the “Deepening the Dialogue” forum to address agriculture and nutrition collaboration in the fight against world hunger. More than 100 experts in agriculture and health convened for the event.

“If you are talking about these hybrid development products—focused on intersectoral work in agriculture and nutrition— then you need to get women more empowered in agricultural issues,” Bowman told participants. “The next generation of agriculture projects that service the [U.S. government’s] new Feed the Future initiative will have to have very strong gender components built into their design. Better health and nutrition will be an outcome.”

Since women make up the bulk of the agricultural workforce in many developing nations, they should fully collaborate in agricultural programming, including in the leadership of these programs, Bowman said. Good nutrition and health is also especially important to women in developing nations as they bear and raise children, run their households, and earn a living.

In addition to discussing ways to feature nutrition components in agriculture programs, Bowman’s group delved into the impact of such programs on children’s and maternal health and jobs for women. Other participants included Thomas T. Schaetzel, technical director of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Infant and Young Child Nutrition Project, Amy McMillen of the FAO, and experts from other development firms.

Dr. Bowman manages a poultry supply chain activity in Vietnam for DAI's global STOP AI project, and focuses on agricultural health, nutrition, and food safety issues. A 27-year veteran of agricultural development projects, he was instrumental in establishing DAI's avian influenza practice.

Loan from Philippine Fund Means Clean Water for Tens of Thousands

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST

The first loan under the Philippines Water Revolving Fund (PWRF) was issued last week to Puerto Princesa City Water District to rehabilitate its water system and improve delivery of water to 23,000 households and establishments. Five more Philippine water utilities are scheduled to obtain loans soon from the fund and start work on long-delayed projects.

The loan to Puerto Princesa—for 560 million Philippine pesos, or about US$1.3 million—will help to refurbish the city’s existing water system, which serves 117,000 people in 36 villages. The loan will also facilitate water distribution to unserved areas, thereby providing access to 48,000 more people by 2014, as well as development of new water sources from the Irawan River and groundwater wells.

The loan is being co-financed by the state-owned Development Bank of the Philippines (DBP) and the Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI). It is the first agreement under the PWRF’s public-private program where the DBP and private banks jointly undertake financing of water and sanitation projects. The Water District will get a 15-year term loan, with DBP using funds from Japan International Cooperation Agency and BPI using its own funds. Eighty-five percent of the BPI loan is guaranteed by LGU Guarantee Corporation and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Development Credit Authority.

“There is a need to involve the private sector to pursue development in the countryside, as there is a huge investment requirement on water supply and sanitation,” said Francisco F. Del Rosario Jr., DBP president and CEO, at the agreement signing, as reported in the Manila Bulletin. “These water projects contribute to the initiatives being undertaken by the national government, including one of the objectives of the Millennium Development Goals, which is access to safe and potable water.”

“This is a milestone for BPI,” said Gil Buenaventura, BPI’s chief operating officer. “Whenever we see developments like this being realized, it not only gives us a sense of accomplishment to have supported the water sector but also encourages us to continue doing so, expand, and create new markets.”

DAI is implementing the PWRF Support Program with funding from USAID. Launched in 2006, the program led the development and establishment of the fund and continues to provide project development and transaction support as well as strengthen water and financial sector policies. The PWRF is the first public-private revolving fund outside of the United States and Europe dedicated to financing water and wastewater infrastructure.

Jericho 10000 Project Sets Out to Promote World's Oldest City

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST

Visitors and residents flocked to Jericho’s city center last week to celebrate the West Bank city’s 10,000 years of civilization and its position as the oldest city in the world.

The festivities, which featured opening remarks from Palestinian Prime Minister Dr. Salam Fayyad, served to launch the Jericho 10000 Project, which aims to revitalize the economy of Jericho and inspire additional projects in the Jordan Valley.

“This occasion is not only a celebration,” Dr. Fayyad said at the October 10 opening ceremony. “It is part of a national project to complete the building and preparation of the Palestinian state.”

Jericho 10000’s weeklong launch included music and cultural fairs, fireworks, and a 4.5-kilometer footrace that attracted 3,000 participants. DAI Palestine, working under a contract with the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, supported the launch and will help shape the broader Jericho 10000 project by producing a strategy document for future development and advising the minister and Jericho 10000 higher committee.

The Jericho 10000 team is striving to tap the potential of the city and its historical, cultural, archeological, and religious aspects, and envisions Jericho as an increasingly attractive tourist destination and partner for public and private sector institutions wishing to carry out development projects in the area.

The celebration began early on October 10 at all schools in Palestine when students were briefed about Jericho and its significance as the oldest continually inhabited city, as well as the one with the lowest altitude—250 meters below sea level.

The Palestinian Cabinet held its weekly meeting in Jericho as a symbol of the government's commitment to Jericho 10000 and local and regional development, and the Palestine Post launched a special seal for the project. In addition to a cultural night of songs and operettas, including a performance by the Palestinian security forces band, the celebration featured local artwork and the 1,200-year-old, 900-square-meter mosaic carpet from nearby Hisham's Palace.

Dr. Fayyad inaugurated several development projects, including the largest date palm factory in the Middle East. Infrastructure projects were unveiled before special guests Bernard Kouchner, cofounder of Doctors Without Borders, and Miguel Moratinos, Spain’s former Minister for Foreign Affairs and past president of the European Union Council.

Linda Norgrove Remembered during Radio Interview of DAI's Alia Afshar-Gandhi

Wed, 13 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI’s Alia Afshar-Gandhi was interviewed Tuesday by National Public Radio (NPR) about her late friend and colleague, Linda Norgrove, who was kidnapped September 26 in Kunar Province, Afghanistan, and died October 9 during a rescue attempt there by U.S. forces. Afshar-Gandhi and Norgrove worked together on the Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East, and West Program, which is led by DAI and funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

“The way I think of Linda is (as) somebody who's incredibly pure; pure heart and pure mind,” Afshar-Gandhi told interviewer Melissa Block. “She was incredibly committed and focused and passionate about what she did.”

Earlier in the day, Afshar-Gandhi joined several hundred DAI employees at a remembrance for Linda at DAI headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.

To hear the NPR story featuring Afshar-Gandhi, which ran on the All Things Considered program, click here.

DAI Mourns the Loss of a Friend and Colleague, Linda Norgrove

Sat, 09 Oct 2010 12:00:00 EST

This morning we received the news that our beloved friend and respected colleague, Linda Norgrove, abducted in Afghanistan on September 26, was killed in the course of a rescue attempt.

DAI President and CEO James Boomgard issued the following statement:

“This is devastating news. Our first thoughts at this moment are with Linda’s immediate family: her parents, John and Lorna, and her sister Sofie. On behalf of all DAI employees, I extend to them our heartfelt condolences for their terrible loss.”

“We are saddened beyond words by the death of a wonderful woman whose sole purpose in Afghanistan was to do good—to help the Afghan people achieve a measure of prosperity and stability in their everyday lives as they set about rebuilding their country,” Boomgard added. “Linda loved Afghanistan and cared deeply for its people, and she was deeply committed to her development mission. She was an inspiration to many of us here at DAI and she will be deeply missed.”

A development professional to the core, Linda spent most of her adult life working for and managing projects in developing countries, mostly projects that help farmers and rural workers build sustainable livelihoods while protecting the environment.

After serving on university-funded projects in Mexico and Uganda, she worked from 2002 to 2005 managing the World Wildlife Fund Forest Program in Peru, where she designed and implemented programs with indigenous communities to protect natural resources and reduce poverty.

In recent years, she dedicated herself to Afghanistan. From 2005 to 2008, she worked throughout the country on United Nations projects that focused on community forestry and horticulture, and on watershed, rangeland, and protected area management. She also teamed with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Afghan government to assess the country’s needs for building its capacity to address environmental issues. Later, she managed the UN’s Reintegration and Alternative Livelihoods Programme, providing job training for ex-combatants and the rural poor in Afghanistan’s poppy-growing areas.

Linda served with the UNEP in Laos from June 2008 to December 2009 before returning to Afghanistan and joining DAI in January 2010. At DAI, she played a senior managerial role on a program called IDEA-NEW, which stands for Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East, and West.

Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development, IDEA-NEW aims to create jobs, boost local economies, and strengthen local Afghan leadership in unstable and vulnerable areas.

IDEA-NEW has been called a “model of success,” and that achievement is due in no small measure to Linda’s leadership. Only a matter of weeks ago she addressed staff in DAI’s Bethesda office about the work she was doing, and expressed cautious optimism about the progress she and her team were making. “Intellectually she was so sound, but she was also highly practical and always calm—a rare combination in this environment,” remembers one long-time colleague and friend of Linda’s.

Linda held advanced degrees in development policy and management, and in rural resources and environmental policy, as well as a bachelor’s degree in tropical environmental science. She was in every respect a gifted development practitioner and an emerging leader in her field. At DAI, she will be forever remembered for that, but also for her quiet dignity, her commitment to the cause of development in Afghanistan, and her personal warmth.

Tim Beans Joins DAI as Senior Vice President, Business Operations

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI announced today that Tim Beans, a distinguished development professional with decades of experience in private industry and government service, has joined the firm as Senior Vice President, Business Operations. Reporting to President and CEO James Boomgard, Beans will oversee DAI’s project management, contracts and procurement, legal, and corporate security functions, and the development of DAI’s international offices.

"Tim’s grasp of our clients’ needs and his understanding of the global business operations we must have in place to meet those needs is second to none," said Boomgard. "He will be a tremendous asset to DAI as we seek to extend the range and improve the quality of our services around the world."

Beans was formerly the Senior Vice President for Afghanistan and Pakistan Region with Chemonics International, an international development firm based in Washington, D.C. He joined Chemonics in 2007 after a successful career with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), where he served as the Deputy Assistant Administrator of the Management Bureau and the Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance Bureau; as the agency’s Chief Acquisition Officer and Procurement Executive; and as a Contracting Officer with an unlimited warrant in both Honduras and the West Bank/Gaza missions. As Mission Director for the Regional Development Mission for Asia, based in Bangkok, he coordinated USAID's response to the tsunami in Thailand in 2004.

Beans’ private industry experience includes working as a senior consultant to the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu on a $2.5 billion fixed rail rapid transit system. In addition, Beans served as Vice President of Technology, Economics and Management (TEM) Associates, where he took a small 8-A start-up company to a $16-million-a-year operation in two years.

"International development organizations face enormous demands in the 21^st century, from operational challenges such as working in the midst of conflict to policy challenges such as demonstrating value for money in aid delivery," said Beans. "I can think of no organization better placed to tackle those challenges than DAI, and I am honored to bring my experience to the accomplished DAI team."

Beans began his career in international development with the Peace Corps in Venezuela. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English literature from the University of South Carolina and a Master's of Public Administration degree from The American University in Washington, D.C.

Radio Show Features Palestinian Businesswomen Helped by DAI Program

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST

A radio program launched this month and broadcast across the West Bank and Gaza featured four Palestinian businesswomen who used the media platform to share their experiences as entrepreneurs.

The episode was the second in a series promoting business and investment in Palestine and was aired by Ramallah-based Raya FM. It was produced in cooperation with the DAI-led Facility for New Market Development (FNMD), a project funded by the U.K. Department for International Development and the World Bank.

The women—Samia Totah, Hanan Khalil Wazir, Reem Maasrouj, and Nisreen Sufian Abd Al Qader Musleh—spoke of their successes and of the obstacles faced by women in a male-dominated culture. Each has been assisted through the FNMD. The women’s business offerings include financial services, information technology, and Palestinian brand management. The hour-long episode, which aired September 5, also included reports about Palestinians’ perspectives on working women.

The first episode in the eight-part series explored agribusiness and ways to help food producers. Upcoming shows will address improving Palestinian-based companies, introducing new products, opening an Islamic finance major at the Palestinian University, obtaining international certificates, exporting, and doing business in Gaza.

Operating in an acutely challenging environment, the FNMD is helping Palestinian men and women grow small businesses by reducing the risks associated with investing in their businesses and entering new markets. The facility is particularly reaching out to the “missing middle:” small and medium-sized companies, generally family-owned, that employ an average of 28 staff.

The project provides carefully selected entrepreneurs with matching grant funds, business planning assistance, and technical support through a roster of vetted business service providers.

DAI Named Most Exceptional Company in Maryland

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI last night was named the number one company in the state of Maryland in The Gazette of Politics and Business's annual "P&B53" ranking, which honors the 53 "most exceptional" companies in the state.

“The past year at DAI has been highly successful while also very challenging,” said DAI President and CEO James Boomgard. “This award, which honors ‘exceptional’ companies, is a tribute to the exceptional DAI professionals who work here in Maryland and abroad. We are grateful to see their work recognized in such a public way.”

Boomgard accepted the award at a ceremony attended by several hundred people at the Hyatt Regency in Bethesda, Maryland. A keynote speech by Darrell Green, a noted humanitarian and Hall of Fame cornerback for the Washington Redskins, kicked off the awards dinner, after introductory remarks by Montgomery County Executive Isiah Leggett.

The P&B53 panel judged companies on their creativity and innovation, business practices and planning, work environment, and community service. DAI was praised for its employee-ownership culture and for adapting to market changes, such as by launching the Center for Development Excellence to build the capacity of local practitioners in developing countries.

“We thank the committee members who selected us as the most exceptional company in Maryland,” Boomgard said. “It is a great honor, considering the quality of the other companies selected to the P&B53.”

In its application, DAI highlighted various accomplishments from the past year, including adapting to the changing and demanding development needs in conflict zones, establishing local offices abroad, and engaging its employees in a systematic strategic planning process, in addition to the firm’s financial performance and its charitable and community contributions.

“I applaud these exceptional Maryland businesses that are consistently on the leading edge of innovation and doing their part to help through their proactive community service programs. To make the 53 list is a great accomplishment,” said Cliff Chiet, publisher of The Gazette P&B. DAI will be profiled in a special section as part of the September 17, 2010, edition of the publication.

The Gazette P&B is part of the Community Newspaper Group of Post-Newsweek Media Inc., a division of The Washington Post Company. The Gazette has been publishing newspapers in the Maryland suburbs since 1959.

DAI Film Supporting Endangered Sea Turtles Wins First-Prize at Film Festival

Fri, 10 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST

A short film produced for a DAI-led project won first prize in its category at the Blue Ocean Film Festival in Monterey, California. “Luchando por la Vida: una historia del mar,” was made to support of the Government of El Salvador’s ban on the destructive commercialization of sea turtles. It was honored as the top Spanish-language film.

“Luchando” and 349 other films were submitted to the festival, a global oceans film and conservation summit that highlights filmmaking and science in documentaries that help protect oceans and ocean life. Ninety-five films were selected as finalists in 19 categories, including 10 finalists for the Spanish-language category.

Winners were chosen by a panel of 22 world-renowned filmmakers and ocean experts. The festival’s advisory board included oceanographer and former NOAA chief scientist Sylvia Earle, Ocean Futures Society President Jean-Michel Costeau, Blue Ocean Institute President and co-founder Carl Safina, and writer and National Geographic filmmaker Jon Bowermaster.

“Luchando por la Vida: una historia del mar”, or “Fighting for the Life: a History of the Sea,” was directed and produced by Carlos Rivas of Gron Communications of San Salvador as part of a publicity campaign by El Salvador Improved Management and Conservation of Critical Watersheds. The project, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development as was the film, promotes understanding and support for better marine resource conservation and management. In El Salvador, eggs of critically endangered hawksbill turtles are being harvested from beaches for food.

In the film, the voice of the Ocean tells the story of sea turtles as his beautiful and graceful daughters, living in deep waters but coming to beaches to lay their eggs as they have done for thousands of years. As the Ocean’s daughters face and overcome challenges to survive, they fulfill essential roles in maintaining ocean ecosystems, and through these roles support humankind. The Ocean points out Salvadoran nesting beaches are especially important for Pacific hawksbill sea turtles and calls on Salvadorans to consider how important sea turtles are to this planet and how each of us can help save them from extinction.

The first six minutes of the nearly 14-minute film can be viewed by clicking here.

DAI's Romanoff Publishes on Coffee Farmers Boosting Profits, Saving Environment

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 12:00:00 EST

Environmental certification sets a lofty development goal: increase farm production and profit while protecting and enhancing the fragile biodiversity around farms. An article by DAI’s Steve Romanoff provides data suggesting that farmers assisted by a project in El Salvador are doing well in implementing such certification, and reports on the costs and returns associated with the initiative.

In “Shade Coffee in Biological Corridors: Potential Results at the Landscape Level in El Salvador,” Romanoff describes how a DAI-led project helped farmers achieve certification and increase harvests of their coffee, which now commands a higher price at market. Concurrently, the project helped farmers protect and expand tree canopy, sustaining bird habitat in a large area of western El Salvador.

After the project’s first year, data showed production increases at both small and large farms, more than covering the farmers’ out-of-pocket costs and investment. The total increased sales experienced by all certifying farms was US$734 per hectare.

Romanoff’s article is published in the June 2010 edition of Culture and Agriculture.

Romanoff, then Chief of Party for the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Improved Management and Conservation of Critical Watersheds (IMCCW) project, said data from the 2007–2008 growing season, as compared with the baseline previous season, suggested a sustainable change.

“The bonuses paid for certified coffee were nearly half of the total benefits to farmers, and increased production (probably due to improved management) was the other half,” Romanoff wrote.

Under IMCCW, 300 farms were certified on 11,000 hectares, covering one-third of a major coffee landscape; as part of the certification process, the farms made substantial investments in conservation. Romanoff said comparative or follow-on data are needed for perspective on these generally striking results, and to allow financial analysis.

“More than half of the farms did very well with certification, even in the first year,” Romanoff wrote. “A good market, low baseline productivity, unused productive capacity, and institutional support for extension and certification contributed.”

In achieving certification, farmers invested in conservation measures such as protecting springs and water sources, increasing water infiltration (which also slows erosion), building check dams (barriers in gullies) out of branches and fences with trees or other plants, constructing terraces and other water control structures, training workers in conservation, and planting trees for shade and protection. They invested equal amounts in social infrastructure such as showers for workers and clean water supplies.

The process leading up to certification turned out to be as important as the bonuses. Many farms improved their administration. Farm records were gathered and organized, sketch maps of farms were made, and operations were discussed by neighboring farmers and cooperative members.

Romanoff recommended further monitoring to answer some key questions: Will same-farm investments decline after the initial push to achieve certification? Will new farms preparing for certification invest at the surprisingly high rates seen so far? Will the yield increases achieved be replicated among new farms, and will same-farm yields grow, since even the current improved yields are below potential? As more buyers compete for certified coffee, will the bonus for certified coffee increase?

When the project is complete, it should generate information on investment over three years and two harvests, with harvests estimated for the third year. If the first year is an indication, the next report should show novel results, Romanoff said. But he hopes that the larger conclusion remains unchanged: certification can be successful at the landscape scale, when conditions are right.

Colonel (Retired) Barry Shapiro Joins DAI as Vice President, Global Security

Wed, 18 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI today announced the appointment of Colonel (Retired) Barry Shapiro to the newly created position of Vice President, Global Security. Reporting directly to President and Chief Executive Officer James Boomgard, he will oversee the coordination of security and development objectives at DAI office and project locations worldwide.

"Our employees cannot deliver on their development mission if they cannot operate safely. The creation of this position reflects our determination to continuously upgrade our security apparatus and underscores the supreme importance we place on employee safety," said Boomgard. "Over a military career spanning some 31 years, Barry Shapiro became one of the most respected figures in his field, and over the past few years he has brought that expertise to the international development arena. We could not have hoped to find a better qualified professional to take on this immensely challenging assignment."

Colonel (Ret.) Shapiro served most of his career as an Army Special Forces Officer. He has conducted special operations training missions and counterterrorism, counterdrug, peacekeeping, and humanitarian assistance operations throughout Southeast and Central Asia. He performed security assistance, political-military, military advisory, and military liaison duties in Thailand, Cambodia, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, and his 54-month deployment on Operation Enduring Freedom included extensive counterinsurgency and counterterrorism operations in the Afghanistan/Pakistan border region. Most recently, he served as a Civil-Military Advisor on the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Capacity Building Program in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas of Pakistan, based in Peshawar and Islamabad.

"Besides the local population, development organizations operating in conflict zones are the most vulnerable to the violence they seek to end," said Shapiro. "Within that context, I look forward to contributing to the already exceptional DAI security team and keeping our people as safe as possible."

Shapiro holds advanced degrees in strategic studies, military arts and science, and Southeast Asian studies. He speaks Thai, Khmer, Lao, and Pashto.

World-Renowned Development Leader Julian Lob-Levyt Joins DAI

Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI today announced that Julian Lob-Levyt, currently the Chief Executive Officer of the GAVI Alliance, will be joining the DAI leadership team. Effective November of this year, Dr. Lob-Levyt will take over as Managing Director of DAI Europe and Senior Vice President of DAI, based in London.

“Julian Lob-Levyt is a visionary leader, a gifted manager, and a proven force for innovation in development,” said DAI President and CEO James Boomgard. “His addition to the DAI team represents an infusion of fresh strategic insight, technical knowledge, and professional contacts that will measurably accelerate our drive to become a truly global development organization. We are delighted to welcome him on board.”

Dr. Lob-Levyt currently heads the Geneva, Switzerland-based GAVI Alliance, a public-private global health partnership created in 2000 to increase access to immunization for children in the world’s poorest countries. Since 2000, more than 256 million children have been vaccinated and 5.4 million premature deaths averted thanks to GAVI-funded programs.

Before joining GAVI in 2005, Dr. Lob-Levyt served as Senior Policy Adviser to the UNAIDS Executive Director, and prior to that he served for five years with the U.K. Department for International Development, as Chief Human Development Adviser (covering health, education, and social protection) and as Chief Health and Population Adviser. Previous assignments include senior positions with the World Health Organization and the European Commission. Dr. Lob-Levyt has held long-term overseas postings in Zimbabwe, Cambodia, Bangladesh, and the Solomon Islands.

“DAI is a world-class organization with a rock-solid commitment to the mission of international development,” Dr. Lob-Levyt said. “In joining the firm, I look forward to bringing the full range of my experience to bear—both on the human development issues DAI is tackling around the world, and on the strategic expansion DAI is undertaking to better serve its global clients.”

As Managing Director of DAI Europe, reporting directly to Dr. Boomgard, Dr. Lob-Levyt will be an integral part of the DAI leadership team and a prominent ambassador for the firm. In addition to managing the London office and overseeing the expansion of DAI’s portfolio with European clients, he will play a leading role in the formulation and execution of DAI’s global strategy.

“We wish Julian every success in his new role and thank him for his great contribution as CEO of the GAVI Alliance,” said Mary Robinson, GAVI Alliance Board Chair and former President of Ireland. “Over nearly six years, Julian has overseen steady growth in the GAVI Secretariat, the change in our governance structure, a significant increase in funding despite a difficult economic climate, and, most importantly, improved health for millions of children in the developing world who have benefitted from vaccines funded by GAVI.”

DAI's Barb Lauer Describes Project Management in Fragile States to London Audiences

Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:00:00 EST

Managing large aid projects in fragile states and war zones demands deliberation and attention to detail; the payoff, according to DAI’s Barb Lauer, comes when project teams safely implement programs that over time give the people who live there some hope and stability.

In Afghanistan, where DAI is implementing six projects, DAI focuses on real needs voiced by Afghan people and plans accordingly—and meticulously—for the personnel, information, logistics, and security needed to do the job, Lauer told audiences last week in London, England.

“It obviously can be dangerous to work in Afghanistan and in other unstable countries,” said Lauer, who spoke at the U.K. Department for International Development, the Commonwealth Foreign Office, and the Overseas Development Institute. “By coordinating with the host government, donors, local nationals, others working in the area, and—when needed—security providers, we can do work and deliver results. It’s usually not quick or easy, but we do it and it’s necessary to those people who need assistance.”

Lauer shared lessons learned from DAI’s projects in Afghanistan that boost small businesses and markets, help farmers and others engaged in agriculture, bolster local government and infrastructure, and support national and regional government offices. DAI’s projects in Afghanistan are funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

Every province in Afghanistan is different as is every district, noted Lauer, DAI's Technical Area Manager for Crisis Mitigation and Recovery. Appearances must be considered, employees safeguarded, and local cultures respected, with effective local communication to describe how DAI is there to help, not hurt. No matter the district, Lauer said, local buy-in is essential to working safely and productively.

“In working in unstable environments we have to balance risks— the security risk, operational risk of success or failure, and compliance risk to make sure we do right by the donor,” Lauer said. “There is also a balance to be struck between displaying a strong, can-do Western work ethic and working in discrete collaboration with local, often wary people in fragile communities.”

The military, Lauer said, can also play an essential role in assessing where assistance is most needed, and evaluating how effective aid programs are.“Over the years we have had effective partnerships with militaries in that way,” Lauer said.

Lauer has worked in numerous conflict-affected countries, including Liberia, Pakistan, Sudan, Croatia, and Indonesia.

Community Association Honored by UN for Protecting Rare Forest in Madagascar

Fri, 30 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST

A community forest management association supported by a DAI-led project was honored for protecting and reforesting an extraordinary natural forest while developing local agriculture and creating jobs.

The 50-member Adidy Maitso association, which manages 500 hectares of biodiversity-rich forest in eastern Madagascar, this month was presented a 2010 Equator Prize by the United Nations’ Equator Initiative. The association is nominated for an additional award that will be given in September at the UN General Assembly.

Association members are credited with patrolling the protected forest, stopping encroachment, and building a buffer of food-producing farmland around it. Adidy Maitso also manages a tree nursery that produces 10,000 seedlings of native species per year for reforesting. Since the association signed a 2005 forest management contract with the Malagasy government, slash-and-burn agriculture and illegal logging in their jurisdiction has stopped.

“This forest supports the ecosystem on which local people depend for food, jobs, and shelter,” said DAI’s Thomas K. Erdmann, manager of the now-completed Eco-Regional Initiatives to Promote Alternatives to Slash-And-Burn Practices (ERI), which supported Adidy Maitso from 2005 through 2009. “ERI is proud to have left behind this legacy of an independent and enthusiastic community forest management team and structure that sustainably manages this precious forest.”

ERI, which was funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), assisted the association in operations and governance, forest management—including development and implementation of simple management plans—effective communication, and nursery establishment and production.

The area is part of the Ankeniheny-Zahamena forest corridor, a tract of 400,000 hectares slated to be co-managed by Adidy Maitso, five other local community associations supported by ERI, and the Malagasy Forest Service. The corridor is home to headwaters of rivers that irrigate farms, provide hydroelectricity, and supply local people with household water.

Isolated from neighboring continents by the Indian Ocean, Madagascar and its forests contain an unequalled mix of plants and animals, the vast majority of which are found nowhere else in the world. The forests also serve as carbon sinks to mitigate the effects of climate change on the island nation.

Adidy Maitso is one of 25 Equator Initiative honorees worldwide. The UN is sponsoring an association member to travel to New York to receive the award and participate in related activities during the September 20-24 General Assembly session. A parallel community summit September 15-18 will convene members from the winning communities and include presentations of their initiatives and discussions on biodiversity conservation and poverty alleviation.

Development in Practice recently published Mr. Erdmann's article, "Eco-Regional Conservation and Development in Madagascar: A Review of USAID-Funded Efforts in Two Priority Landscapes." For information on the article, click here.

DAI Staff Advocate Nutrition, Livelihoods at International AIDS Conference

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST

Helping people affected by HIV/AIDS goes far deeper than delivering medicine. Providing jobs, improving nutrition, and supplying reliable information can reduce suffering and help prevent the spread of the virus, DAI experts emphasized this week at the 18th International AIDS Conference in Vienna, Austria.

Activists, scientists, program implementers, and policy makers used much of the conference to focus on universal access to HIV treatment, rather than nonmedical HIV/AIDS issues, said Colleen Green, DAI’s Technical Area Manager for HIV/AIDS & Livelihoods.

“Universal access is an ambitious and laudable goal but, in a resource-constrained world, an immense challenge,” Green said. “Livelihoods approaches provide opportunities for people on antiretroviral therapy to eat better, earn money, and strengthen themselves and their households, while smart information campaigns enlighten people and change behavior in high-risk locales.”

Green and Mulat Yiman, a DAI agronomist and Deputy Chief of Party of the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Urban Gardens Program for HIV-Affected Women and Children in Ethiopia, presented posters describing two DAI projects: the urban gardens program and the Market Access, Trade and Enabling Policies Project (MATEP) in Zambia.

While DAI salutes initiatives to deliver antiretroviral therapies (ARTs) to all who need them, the medications can cause serious side-effects such as diarrhea, nausea, and nutritional imbalance. A diet including kale, spinach, carrots, and other vegetables, which are grown by HIV/AIDS-affected people as part of the urban gardens program, is far more beneficial than a diet dominated by the flat bread staple food of Ethiopia.

“Nutrition is a basic necessity for HIV-affected and -infected families,” Yiman said. “The very success of ARTs often depends on the availability of nutritious food in the household.”

Since September 2008, nearly 14,000 households—including 43,600 orphans and vulnerable children—have enlisted in the USAID-funded project, which now operates in 12 Ethiopian cities.

In Zambia, MATEP delivered information about HIV/AIDS and how to prevent it, operating through workplaces where HIV/AIDS has had an impact on the bottom line. The project, funded by USAID and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, delivered prevention messages that reached more than 1.1 million people and trained more than 6,000 awareness educators, including 39 trainers of trainers. The cost: slightly more than $1 per beneficiary, spent mostly on producing high-quality brochures in local languages.

Smart Tourism Investment Examined at DAI, Aspen, USAID Roundtable

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST

Some of the poorest places on Earth are also some of the most beautiful – the Andean foothills, Africa’s national parks, and Indonesia’s rainforests, to name a few. But while developing tourism in these locales could create much-needed jobs and economic growth, investors often dismiss such ventures as being too risky.

Investors and tourism experts met last week at the Aspen Institute in Washington, D.C., to examine ways to design projects that provide investors with the safe, acceptable returns they need while also serving to improve lives in poor local populations.

The challenges discussed at “Impact Investment in Community-Based Sustainable Tourism,” a roundtable organized by DAI, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, focused on aligning layers of investors, donors, and other stakeholders behind market-driven projects; the projects, in turn, should meet diverse financial and social goals.

“We must have a constellation of goals in mind when we engage in tourism development,” said Keith Dokho, a DAI sustainable tourism specialist. “How do you customize a return on investment and also measure the social return in a way that makes commercial sense?”

Tourism development affects many local business sectors, including hotels, transportation, grocers, farmers, tour operators, and crafters. Equally diverse is the array of investors, donors, technical assistance, and local support required to build a foundation solid enough to sustain a tourism investment.

In considering the ingredients needed for a prospectus in which budgets make sense up front for investors, the roundtable discussed topics such as local money management, liquidity and seasonal cash flow, accreditation of intermediaries, local cultural norms and visitor expectations, and exit strategies for investors. The local legal and enabling environment was also among the many factors affecting investor and donor confidence.

Discussants included representatives from Wells Fargo, African Middle Market Fund, EcoEnterprises Fund, Small Enterprise Assistance Funds, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the International Financial Corporation, and the United Nations Development Programme.

Representatives from the Maruleng and Bushbuckridge Economic Development Initiative, a project of ECIAfrica, DAI’s subsidiary for southern Africa, also led discussions.

Stronger Legislatures Foster Long-Term Economic Growth, Paper Concludes

Fri, 16 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST

Making laws, overseeing spending, representing people—national legislatures have long served as the linchpin in effective democracies. Underappreciated, though, is the role legislatures play in supporting economic development.

In their paper “Do Legislatures Matter for Economic Growth?” Georgetown University’s Matthew Kroenig and DAI’s Meral Karan-Delhaye demonstrate that countries with stronger national legislatures enjoy higher long-run rates of economic growth. Therefore, they conclude, governments and donors committed to economic development and improving living standards in the developing world should incorporate legislative strengthening more widely in their programming strategies.

Kroenig, an assistant professor of government, and Karan-Delhaye presented their findings July 13 to economic and democratic governance officers at the U.S. Agency for International Development in Washington, D.C.

“While there is a fair amount of research regarding the importance of broad-based institutions in economic growth, there has been little analysis of what types of institutions matter in particular,” said Karan-Delhaye, a political economy specialist in DAI’s Governance Sector. “We wanted to look at the role of one institution in particular—the national legislature—to better understand the link between governance and growth. Legislatures are a particularly interesting institution to study given their important representational, legislative, and oversight role.”

The paper includes data from the Parliamentary Powers Index, compiled by Kroenig and Steven Fish, covering 158 countries. The study enumerates how increased power of the national legislatures correlates to increased gross domestic product, economic freedom, and human development in both Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and non-OECD countries. Stronger national legislatures also correlate to increased income equality.

A more extensive summary of the paper's findings is forthcoming in the next issue of DAI's newsletter, Developments.

DAI Project Office Attacked in Afghanistan, Four People Killed

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI is today mourning the loss of four staff following an early morning attack on our Local Governance and Community Development (LGCD) Program office in Kunduz, Afghanistan. All four of those killed worked for our security subcontractor, Edinburgh International (EI).

“The actions taken by the EI security staff in defense of the compound and project staff were nothing short of heroic,” said DAI President and CEO James Boomgard. “We are deeply grateful for their bravery, and for the work they do day in, day out, to make our development mission possible. Our hearts go out to the families of the deceased at this terrible hour.”

One British, one German, and two Afghan nationals were killed in the incident, and several more EI staff were injured. Two DAI staff were injured but all are safe and receiving medical care under the auspices of the Provincial Reconstruction Team.

Funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), LGCD works to extend the reach of the Afghan government. It engages local governments and communities in promoting their own development, thereby building the credibility of local authorities and contributing to stabilization by offering a viable governance alternative in places susceptible to the influence of anti-government elements.

As always in incidents of this nature, our first priority is to ensure the safety and security of our staff, both expatriate and Afghan national. We will be working closely with USAID, EI, and our other partners in Afghanistan to assess the security situation in Kunduz. We are committed to doing everything we can to support the victims’ families and help our Afghanistan-based staff through this traumatic experience.

Contact:

Steven O’Connor

Director of Communications

301.771.7834

steven_o’connor@dai.com

DAI’s Cindy Limoges Honored at HR Awards Gala

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST

Cindy Limoges, DAI’s Senior Vice President for Human Resources, was honored as a finalist at the Human Resource Leadership Awards of Greater Washington.

Ms. Limoges and two others were selected out of 11 human resources executives nominated in the Strategic Alignment–Individual category. Those three, along with finalists and winners in many other categories, were feted at the ninth annual awards gala held last month at the Crystal Gateway Marriott in Arlington, Va.

Ms. Limoges, who joined DAI in July 2006, was recognized for better aligning staff performance at employee-owned DAI with the company’s mission and strategic priorities. Additionally, under her leadership the firm established a talent management program that identifies and mentors future company leaders, launched a new leadership training program, and implemented practices to improve support to staff around the world.

As DAI implements more than 100 projects in 60-plus countries, including in some of the world’s most demanding environments, Ms. Limoges structured a strategic partnership with an outside firm to provide training, support, and counseling for employees working in particularly difficult environments.

“Effective human resources should help a company meet its business objectives,” Limoges said. “I am fortunate to have a team at DAI that allows us to do that. We are nothing without teamwork, either in our HR department or at DAI as a whole.”

Photo Exhibit in Kabul Portrays the Fruits of Development

Thu, 01 Jul 2010 12:00:00 EST

For the Afghan farmers and entrepreneurs who weave textiles, package vegetables, or manage livestock, the proof of their success is readily appreciated—they can hold it in their hands and see it in the extra income available to their families.

But it takes some creativity to communicate that same sense of achievement to a broader, urban audience perhaps hundreds of miles from the fields and markets where these successes are happening. That was the challenge facing Afghanistan Works, a photo exhibit presented June 22–26 in Kabul, Afghanistan.

The response was exceptional. More than 6,000 guests came to the event in historic Babur Gardens, where professionally displayed photos featured products promoted and livelihoods supported under Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives—North, East and West (IDEA-NEW), a DAI-led project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).

The exhibit was opened by Deputy Minister of Agriculture H.E. Salim Khan Kunduzi and other senior officials from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the U.S. Government. The exhibit was open to the media, research centers, VIPs, and the general public.

“Afghanistan’s agricultural successes are laying the foundations for peace and prosperity, but it is not a story we often hear in the media,” said H.E. Mohammad Asif Rahimi, Minister of the Afghanistan Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock. “IDEA-NEW is helping our Ministry and the private sector to generate jobs for Afghan farm families who have already begun to make a big difference in the short and long run. This photo exhibit is a great way to see how cooperation with government, donors, and communities can generate real success.”

In addition to showcasing agricultural goods now being raised and brought to market, the exhibit showed photo displays of IDEA-NEW infrastructure projects that strengthen agricultural value chains, such as irrigation for farmlands and roads for better access to markets.

“We believe this was the first time in Afghanistan that a development program highlighted its achievements through such a major photo exhibit,” said Jonathan Greenham, IDEA-NEW’s Chief of Party.

“The exhibit has brought hope to many Afghans and shown them that in spite of the instability and conflict that takes center stage in the media, many rural inhabitants are benefitting from jobs implementing infrastructure projects and reviving and improving traditional businesses, such as textiles and beekeeping.”

The photos were taken by IDEA-NEW local-national staffer Aziz Karimi, local-national freelancer Ali Changezy, and Swiss photojournalist Rafaela Persson. The picture frames, glass, and caption cards, and the walls for the exhibit, were purchased from local vendors. Photos displays were supplemented with samples of agricultural inputs, tools, and finished products from the program beneficiaries, including textiles, fresh produce, and honey.

Since July 2009, IDEA-NEW has created nearly 13,000 jobs in agriculture, community-constructed infrastructure, and rural business development, putting people back to work, reducing their dependence on the opium poppy and other illicit economies, and enabling them to support their families. The project was recently profiled in the Philadelphia Inquirer.

While DAI leads IDEA-NEW, which is active across 14 Afghan provinces, it is joined on the project by nongovernmental organizations Mercy Corps in the northeast and ACDI/VOCA in the northwest and central provinces.

DAI Staff Join with Junior Achievement in D.C.-Area Classrooms

Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST

For 40 years, Bethesda, Md.-based DAI has promoted economic and social development all over the world, but over the past couple of months DAI staff have shared their global insights much closer to home—with seventh-graders in Montgomery County, Maryland.

Approximately 10 DAI staff taught “JA Global Marketplace” classes at middle schools in cooperation with Junior Achievement of the National Capital Area. The six-week curriculum shows how international trade works and how it affects the students’ daily lives.

“Teachers are always looking to drive home what they teach, to make it relevant,” said Chelsea Soneira, director of JA’s Montgomery County programs. “We bring in non-teachers, and since DAI has a lot of international experience it was pretty cool. They were really good and everybody was impressed.”

All told, DAI volunteers reached 182 students at three schools for a total of 1,112 contact hours.

One volunteer, DAI project coordinator Tony Mpoy, said she felt well prepared for her assignment at Tilden Middle School in Rockville, but a little nervous, too. Among her topics: the global marketplace, importing and exporting, trade regulations, and the cultural aspects of doing business in another country.

“JA set out the curricula for us, and we were able to sit in on one of the teacher's classes prior to beginning the program,” said Mpoy, who works for DAI’s Stamping Out Pandemic and Avian Influenza project. “But the first day was still hectic and we had no idea what to expect when we got up before the class.

“Teaching these classes turned out to be extremely enriching and challenging in ways I hadn’t anticipated.”

For her first class, Mpoy and her colleagues sent the students on a treasure hunt for items placed throughout the classroom—such as perfumes from France, an iPod from China, and olive oil from Greece—to kick-start the global trade discussion.

“After the final class, it felt like a full-circle moment, because we remembered how we were at that age,” Mpoy said. “It just felt great to give back to the community and inspire the children to become global citizens and think about the world globally.”

At Earle B. Wood Middle School, senior development specialist Caesar Layton talked about economic development and globalization with a class of mostly first-generation Americans of Asian or Hispanic heritage.

“It really opened their eyes on where products came from and how larger trade issues affect their lives,” said Layton, who currently works on economic projects to mitigate and prevent avian influenza and HIV/AIDS.

“Many of the students did not realize that people around the world have access to many of the things they do, like McDonald’s,” Layton continued. “They had a sense of globalization but hadn’t really thought about it in a personal context. For them to think of themselves as part of a global community was a good experience.”

DAI volunteers also taught the Gaithersburg High School’s College and Career Research and Development course. The six 45-minute lessons were conducted between April 12 and May 30.

“Our programs are written into the Montgomery County Public School curriculum as a required enhancement for all students,” Ms. Soneira said. “We have been building this partnership for the past six years and are gradually expanding it until it reaches all schools in the system.”

DAI senior communications specialist Catherine Kawmy, who with project coordinator Nicole Burka made six visits to the classrooms, shared photos from DAI’s projects to help illustrate the work DAI is doing abroad to promote business and trade.

“They were really engaged kids—bright, easy to interact with, and interested in the world in general,” Kawmy said. “I was impressed by how much they already knew and how quickly they learned.”

DAI Takes Firm Stand Against Corruption in Afghanistan

Thu, 17 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI yesterday terminated the employment of 10 Afghan employees for engaging in schemes to defraud the U.S. Government. Conducted in close collaboration with the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Office of the Inspector General (IG), this action—the culmination of several months’ investigation—underscores DAI’s commitment to deal with any staff member, Afghan or expatriate, whose unethical behavior can undermine good-faith efforts to stabilize and develop Afghanistan.

“Without the superb cooperation of DAI, we would not have been able to act against these corrupt individuals, whose actions were harming our development efforts at a critical time,” said IG Special Agent in Charge Dan Altman.

“Our commitment to a strong ethics policy is non-negotiable,” said DAI President and Chief Executive Officer James Boomgard. “We do not tolerate dishonest behavior on the part of our staff and partners and we make every effort to educate them on the standards we uphold. Those that perpetrate fraud cast an unfair shadow over the vast majority of our local Afghan staff who work honorably and passionately in pursuit of their country’s development, risking and in some cases even sacrificing their lives in the process.”

All 10 staff worked for the Local Governance and Community Development (LGCD) project in the city of Kabul and the provinces of Gardez, Kandahar, Kunar, and Nangarhar. Funded by USAID, LGCD engages local governments and communities in promoting their own development, thereby building the credibility of local authorities and contributing to stabilization by offering a viable governance alternative in places susceptible to the influence of anti-government elements.

The project, which employs some 725 full-time Afghan staff nationwide, has funded thousands of small infrastructure and development initiatives such as roads, bridges, culverts, and irrigation works. These initiatives are typically subcontracted to local Afghan construction firms, and the work is monitored by LGCD staff. Many of the employees terminated today are staff members accused of demanding kickbacks from local subcontractors. Some of the terminated staff set up companies that won subcontracts to do LGCD work, without disclosing their interest in those enterprises.

“In bringing the perpetrators of these abuses to the IG’s attention—and collaborating with the IG throughout our investigation—DAI has sent an unambiguous message that anyone trusted with the disbursement of U.S. Government funds, expatriate or Afghan, will be held to the highest ethical standards,” said Boomgard. “Deviations from those standards will not be tolerated.”

DAI first became aware of suspect transactions in 2009, and quickly communicated its concerns to the IG. DAI and the IG worked in close partnership on the investigation, using the IG’s investigative capacities to secure compelling evidence of corruption.

On June 16, staff implicated by the investigation were terminated from DAI’s employment. The terminated employees will be banned from further employment with DAI, and their names—and firms associated with them—will be shared with U.S. and Afghan Government agencies to ensure that they cannot resume their activities elsewhere. The IG will provide local authorities with all appropriate evidence with an intent to prosecute. Additional measures are also being taken to prevent further abuses of this nature.

Contact:

Steven O’Connor

Director of Communications

+1.301.771.7834

steven_o’connor@dai.com

About DAI

DAI is an independent, employee-owned, mission-driven development organization. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing development solutions in areas including democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, water and natural resources management, HIV/AIDS and avian influenza control, crisis mitigation and stability operations, and energy and climate change.

Michael F. Walsh Named to Lead DAI’s Center for Development Excellence

Tue, 15 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI is pleased to announce that Michael F. Walsh, the former Chief Acquisition Officer (CAO) at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and most recently director of programs for InsideNGO, has been named managing director for the Center for Development Excellence (CDE).

The CDE builds the capacity of practitioners and organizations worldwide to track, bid on, win, implement, and responsibly account for development contracts and grants. As Managing Director, Mr. Walsh is charged with expanding and improving the products and services of the CDE, which DAI founded in January 2010.

“We are thrilled to have a development professional of Mike’s caliber to lead this important initiative,” said James Boomgard, DAI’s President and CEO. “Local practitioners are increasingly the driving forces behind local development success. With his stellar track record in the United States and abroad, Mike is the perfect person to help CDE respond to the needs of local practitioners in the development marketplace.”

Over his nearly 30-year career, including tenures as USAID’s contracting officer in Bangladesh, Egypt, and East Africa, Mr. Walsh has managed some of the most successful and innovative projects in the USAID portfolio. As USAID’s CAO and procurement executive from 2004 to 2007, he directed a staff of 125 professionals in Washington as well as more than 250 overseas. He was responsible for approximately $8 billion in contracts and grants per year, and resolved contracting issues in Iraq and Afghanistan and at more than 75 other overseas missions.

From 2007 to 2010, as director of programs for finance, grants, and contracts at Inside NGO, Mr. Walsh directed training, advocacy, and services for member chief financial officers and grant/contract managers, working with more than 260 nongovernmental organizations in international development and humanitarian relief.

“I couldn’t be happier to take on this truly vital mission for the CDE, one that I believe will ultimately strengthen hundreds of development programs in the field and thus improve countless lives,” Mr. Walsh said. “I look forward to the challenges ahead and achieving authentic capacity building with our client organizations.”

In April the CDE acquired the training assets of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Public Management, a leading provider of U.S. Government contract compliance and financial management training. In so doing, CDE obtained a suite of materials that provide seminar participants the tools necessary to meet the procedural and contractual requirements of U.S. Government clients, principally USAID and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDE also acquired three master’s certificate programs, and financial software and softcopy templates created expressly for managing USAID awards.

Mr. Walsh's background and understanding of donor agencies gives him keen insight into the emerging strategies of USAID and other donor agencies. This perspective will enhance the CDE’s ability to serve local organizations, governments, and international donors that seek the training, systems, and advisory services required for building effective and compliant organizations.

To date, the CDE has conducted seminars for local practitioners in Islamabad, Pakistan, and has upcoming seminars scheduled in Lusaka, Zambia; Nairobi, Kenya; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Kampala, Uganda; Pretoria, South Africa; Manila, Philippines; New Delhi, India; Abuja, Nigeria; and Washington, D.C.

DAI’s Chopak Named Vice President of International Agriculture Association

Fri, 11 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST

Chuck Chopak, DAI’s Technical Area Manager for Agriculture Production and Food Security, has been appointed vice president of the Association for International Agriculture and Rural Development (AIARD).

In this role, Dr. Chopak will assist the Executive Committee of AIARD to provide leadership in AIARD activities and develop and facilitate new initiatives.

Dr. Chopak has for 30 years managed, planned, and implemented food security and livelihoods activities throughout the world, including in Afghanistan, Central America, Haiti, and many African countries.

Since 1964, AIARD’s member universities, nongovernmental organizations, commercial firms, government, donor agencies, and foundation professionals—from a broad disciplinary base of agricultural and related social science skills—have provided solutions to the challenges of international agriculture and rural development.

FNMD Clients Featured at Palestine Investment Conference

Wed, 09 Jun 2010 12:00:00 EST

Businesses supported by the Facility for New Market Development (FNMD) featured prominently at the second Palestine Investment Conference, hosted June 2–3 in the city of Bethlehem under the auspices of H.E. President Mahmoud Abbas.

The two-day event convened nearly 2,000 local and international businesspeople, government representatives, and donor agencies to examine Palestine’s economic potential and investment opportunities.

Many FNMD client companies prepared business plans for the conference to attract investors, and more than 40 clients from the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza participated in the “Best of Palestine” exhibition that ran alongside the conference.

FNMD is a three-year grants program funded by the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID) and the World Bank that helps Palestinian enterprises enter new markets and develop new products. Inaugurated in July 2008 by former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, FNMD has built a portfolio of 198 companies from the West Bank and Gaza, representing manufacturing, agribusiness, stone and marble, information and communication technologies, services, tourism, pharmaceuticals, media, and handicrafts.

“We are proud of the achievements of our client companies and hope they will attract new trade and investment partners that believe in their businesses the same way FNMD does,” said Verena Oberrauch, the FNMD deputy team leader.

Products developed or improved with FNMD support and showcased at the exhibition include the recently certified Organic and Fair Trade olive oil produced by Al’Ard company, specialty welding arches made by Al Sharq company, a new range of decorative paints developed by Shalhoub, and stylish new furniture manufactured by White Palace.

FNMD Gaza Manager Sharif Kishawi was particularly proud of the strong participation of FNMD’s Gaza clients, despite severe movement and access restrictions affecting Gaza and the Turkish flotilla event that overshadowed the conference. Those Gaza businesspeople who could not secure permits to travel to the West Bank hired consultants, with FNMD support, to represent their companies at the event. Most Gaza companies, unable to bring samples through the checkpoints, used large television screens to showcase their products.

DFID’s Helen Winterton and the World Bank’s Mariam Sherman met representatives of FNMD client companies and heard how FNMD is making a difference for these businesses.

U.S. Ambassador Donald Gips Helps Introduce South Africa Supplier Diversity Council

Fri, 28 May 2010 12:00:00 EST

The South African Supplier Diversity Council (SASDC), a corporate-led initiative to expand procurement opportunities for South Africa’s black suppliers, was introduced May 26, 2010, at an event in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The council’s corporate members will pursue ways to bring more black suppliers into their supply chains, as well as mentor and improve the capacity of these suppliers to meet standards required by the corporate members.

“Opening up procurement opportunities is one side of the coin,” said SASDC Director Gary Joseph. “It is also important for council members to direct their enterprise development support towards building up their black suppliers. Procurement and enterprise development are two sides of the same coin.”

The council initiative was facilitated by the National Business Initiative (NBI) and is supported by the South African and U.S. governments through South African International Business Linkages (SAIBL), a U.S. Agency for International Development-funded project implemented in part by ECIAfrica, DAI’s subsidiary for southern Africa.

The council will draw its membership from local and international corporations based and operating in South Africa and is scheduled to launch operations in July 2010.

“U.S. corporations in South Africa can play a significant and leading role in supplier diversity development here,” said U.S. Ambassador Donald Gips. “The relationship that the U.S. government, through SAIBL, has facilitated between the [National Minority Supplier Development Council, or NMSDC], one of the leading corporate membership organizations in the U.S., and local organizations is the kind of initiative that the [Obama] administration supports due to its potential impact on jobs, livelihoods, and sustainable development.”

In March, SAIBL Chief of Party John James was named to South Africa’s National Small Business Advisory Council by Rob Davies, South Africa’s Minister of Trade and Industry.

The SASDC is the first initiative of its kind in South Africa and addresses a national priority. It contends that sustainable supplier diversity goes beyond merely complying with the nation’s Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment Codes of Good Practice: compliance is sound business as well as an investment in businesses’ long-term competiveness and sustainability. Creating procurement space for new entrants generates supply chain competition, and closer supplier relations with black businesses can foster greater access to the rapidly growing black consumer market.

The council intends to create a national database of certified and bona fide black suppliers to mitigate the problems of “fronting.” Certification will be done internally by the council to ensure the integrity of the process and will focus on verifying black ownership, management, and control. Certified black suppliers will immediately be accessible by member corporations. The council will also run business opportunity and meet-the-buyer events between member corporations and certified black suppliers, and help assist member corporations to integrate and improve their targeted procurement and enterprise development efforts.

The council is modeled on the NMSDC, a New York City-based corporate membership organization with nearly 40 years of experience in promoting and facilitating supplier diversity. The SASDC will be the sixth member of the Global Link partnership, including the NMSDC in the United States, the Canadian Aboriginal & Minority Supplier Council, Minority Supplier Development UK, the Australian Indigenous Minority Supplier Council, and Minority Supplier Development China.

Spring 2010 Issue of Developments Newsletter Now Available

Fri, 28 May 2010 12:00:00 EST

The spring issue of DAI's Developments newsletter is now available.

Leading off the issue, Ed Rackley reflects on the “high-stakes moment” in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and describes the programs DAI is implementing to address the governance and security challenges in this troubled part of the world on behalf of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID).

Environmentally sustainable development and climate change emerge as powerful themes in the rest of the issue:

Steve Smith, who leads DAI’s technical work on enterprise development, discusses efforts to promote the sustainable home furnishings industry in Indonesia—an effort that will be crucial to many local firms in light of legislation in the United States and Europe designed to restrict the flow of illegally harvested wood and wood products.

David Nicholson and Nathan Kennedy introduce InfoSpring.org, an interactive Q&A website launched by The Development Practitioners Forum with an initial focus on sustainable agriculture, climate change, natural resources management, and food security.

Krista Baptista and Sarah Schmidt explore recent innovations on FRAMEweb, a USAID website run by the Capitalizing Knowledge, Connecting Communities (CK2C) project and dedicated to collecting and sharing knowledge related to natural resources management. “Climate change, in particular, has emerged as a thematic focal point for the site,” the authors write, “which is creating a venue where practitioners interested in adaptation and mitigation can find one another, share information, learn from previous efforts, and get up to speed with what is happening around the world.”

One element of the climate change debate is renewable energy. In her article, Lara Goldmark describes how a value chain study of the solar energy industry in Morocco led to the creation of a network of solar-energy installers that brings together previously isolated microenterprises into a consortium that can profitably engage with national and international investors.

Also on the subject of renewables, Patrick Doyle, DAI’s Technical Area Manager for Energy and Climate Change, and Khalidah Jaafar, an Iraqi engineer, reflect on the factors that make Iraq an ideal site for investment in large-scale solar power.

And in the DAIdeas publication that accompanies this issue, Doyle then teams up with Tom Erdmann, CK2C’s Chief of Party, to analyze the potential for using carbon emissions markets and forestry credits to fund forestry projects.

In other articles in this issue, DAI Pakistan Managing Director Zahid Elahi outlines the development challenges confronting his country, Mehreen Tanvir reports on the highly successful debut of DAI’s new Center for Development Excellence, and Jeffrey Straka describes the Community-Based Avian Influenza Control Project’s “integrated communal-commercial approach” to controlling avian influenza in Indonesia.

Finally, in his CEO's Desk column, President and Chief Executive Officer Jim Boomgard takes stock of an extremely turbulent few months for DAI project employees, a time that has seen great personal sacrifice, tragic loss of life, and inspiring acts of bravery and commitment. In “saluting the people of development,” at DAI and across the development community, Boomgard concludes that we owe these development professionals a “debt of gratitude.”

To view Developments online, click here. To view DAIdeas, click here. For print copies or to be added to our mailing list, contact Marcia Liu at marcia_liu@dai.com.

Mexican Secretaries of Environment and Energy Address Clean Energy at DAI-Led Event

Wed, 26 May 2010 12:00:00 EST

More than 230 people convened May 20–21 in Mexico City for “Climate Change, Renewable Energy, Energy Efficiency, and Finance,” a workshop highlighted by remarks from Mexico’s environment and energy secretaries.

The event, cosponsored by DAI Mexico and FIRA, Mexico’s government-owned rural development bank, explored ways to develop financial products for renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE/EE) projects in rural Mexico.

Mexico has become a regional and global leader on climate change, and in December will host the 2010 United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, or COP 16. But even emerging markets such as Mexico that actively promote clean energy must tailor incentives to encourage stakeholders to invest in viable projects, noted DAI Mexico Managing Director Nathanael Bourns.

“We asked a diverse mix of government officials, technology providers, and financial institutions to think about the Mexican climate change agenda from different angles, including ways that increased investment in RE/EE projects can benefit the environment, agricultural producers, rural households and businesses, and financial institutions alike,” Bourns said.

Following opening remarks by the Director of FIRA Rodrigo Sanchez Mújica and Bourns, Secretary of Environment Juan Rafael Elvira Quesada gave an inaugural address outlining Mexico's climate change agenda and the opportunities it presents for rural producers. At a lunch address, Secretary of Energy Dr. Georgina Kessel Martínez emphasized the importance of aligning incentives to boost energy efficiency across the economy.

Participants from Mexican public sector agencies, renewable energy technology providers, financial institutions, the Inter-American Development Bank other donors then debated concrete strategies for financing RE/EE projects.

“A common theme throughout the workshop was the need for structured public and private experiments in cases where uncertainty remains high, and to scale up proven approaches,” said Ivana Fertziger, DAI Mexico’s Director for Sustainable Development. “That’s an area where both public and private sector finance can play a much bigger role.”

In one of the final panels, Director Jorge Esquer Gaytan of Ve por Mas Bank congratulated FIRA and DAI, indicating that “despite the various meetings on this topic, this is the first time that we have all the relevant sectors together to explore options.”

Tyler Chapman, a DAI senior renewable energy consultant, facilitated a panel discussion on realistic opportunities for carbon markets in Mexico and Patrick Doyle, DAI’s technical area manager for Energy and Climate Change, helped lead a discussion on developing renewable energies in Mexico.

DAI Project Photo Wins USAID Earth Day Award

Wed, 19 May 2010 12:00:00 EST

A photograph of a burning Indonesian rainforest taken by a DAI project employee won its category in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Earth Day 2010 Biodiversity and Forestry Photo Contest.

“Fire in Kutai National Park,” by Donald Bason, public outreach advisor for the Orangutan Conservation Services Program (OCSP), was selected top photo in the Threats to Biodiversity category. The photo captures one of the major challenges addressed by the project; that is, fires in protected areas caused by land mismanagement and carelessness.

Bason took the photo in August 2009 on an OCSP trip to East Kalimantan. Leaving the park by car after a day’s work, as the light was beginning to fade, Bason noticed smoke rising up above the trees to the west.

“Stopping the car I found a good vantage point and, shielding the camera lens with my hand from the rays of the setting sun, I quickly shot off a number of pictures,” Bason said. Bason took the photo using a Nikon D90 camera with a Nikkor 18–200 mm lens.

The photo contest was organized by USAID’s Economic Growth and Trade office.

Covering 200,000 hectares, Kutai National Park is a biodiversity refuge for a range of species, including orangutans. The park also contains one of the few remaining extensive areas in East Kalimantan of protected mixed Dipterocarpaceae forest.

Kutai National Park has long suffered from encroachment—some 24,000 hectares have been converted to agricultural farmland—as well as from illegal logging and mining. OCSP supports improved landscape management of the orangutan habitat in the park and adjoining industrial plantations with an emphasis on strengthening enforcement (in partnership with the Indonesia Department of Justice), building the capacity of park staff, and instructing surrounding concessions in best management practices through guidelines developed by the USAID-funded OCSP.

Although devastated by fires in 1997 and 1998, the park is still an important refuge for orangutans and contains a viable population of the orangutan subspecies Pongo pygmeus morio. Recent surveys show that the orangutan population—officially estimated at 600 individuals—is not limited to the core area of the park, but is also located in surrounding concessions and could number between 2,500 and 4,500 animals.

DAI’s Doyle Discusses Clean Energy Cooperation at Manila, Washington Events

Sat, 15 May 2010 12:00:00 EST

To facilitate cleaner energy, governments should use their convening power to align interests and gain support from all stakeholders across renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE/EE) value chains.

Speaking at conferences in Manila, Philippines, and Washington, D.C., DAI’s Patrick Doyle noted that these stakeholders include project financiers, utilities, equipment manufacturers, installers, and consumers.

“Understanding the intricate details of how we produce and consume energy is essential to removing barriers to the many projects that will save money and reduce global warming,” said Doyle, DAI’s technical area manager for Energy and Climate Change. “There isn’t a one-size fits all approach, or an established, single best practice. In many cases multiple types of financial incentives are appropriate.”

On May 14 in Washington, D.C., Doyle spoke on government policies and financial incentives at the Roundtable on Energy Efficiency in Southeast Europe and the Caucasus, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy and the Aspen Institute.

Doyle’s shared lessons from DAI’s energy project in Bulgaria, where DAI works with banks and consumers to develop financeable RE/EE projects on behalf of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Union.

Financing alone is not sufficient to spur clean energy development, Doyle noted, because many international funds for RE/EE go unused for lack of demand from banks and customers. Marketing these funds, training banks, and providing free audits and consulting services is now a widely accepted best practice, he said.

“Key questions when evaluating an energy efficiency opportunity’s likelihood of success are, ‘Who is financing the projects, and who is taking the risk of nonperformance or cost overruns?’” Doyle said. “We all know energy efficiency projects can be profitable, or have positive returns on investment as compared to other options. But are they profitable enough for the real or perceived risks involved?

“Government programs should aim to reduce the risks and increase the profitability of energy efficiency projects.”

Speakers from the U.S. Department of Energy included Jonathan Elkind, principal deputy assistant secretary, and Cathy Zoi, assistant secretary for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. Lynn Tabernacki of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, Ira Birnbaum of the U.S. Agency for International Development, and numerous embassy representatives also participated.

In April, at the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) clean energy trade and investment conference in Manila, hosted by the U.S. Trade and Development Agency, Doyle recommended policies to increase wind project development and manufacturing in ASEAN countries. He featured a case study on India and Suzlon Energy, one of the largest turbine manufacturers in the world.

Doyle highlighted the Philippines’ early leadership in wind energy development and its aggressive 2009 Renewable Energy Law, but also noted the challenges in implementing the numerous overlapping policies included in the law.

“Countries need to choose renewable energy policies carefully and ask key questions,” Doyle said. “Are the policies sufficient to meet the goals? Are there too many overlapping policies? The policies have to be the right ones for a country’s power sector and resource mix.”

Sangena Investments Joins DAI’s Southern African Subsidiary

Wed, 12 May 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI is pleased to announce that we have joined forces with Sangena Investments of Johannesburg, South Africa, to provide new leadership to our Johannesburg-based subsidiary, ECIAfrica.

The agreement, which was finalized last week, includes a commitment by both organizations for Sangena to acquire substantial ownership in ECIAfrica during the next few years. Principals from Sangena who are joining ECI and comprising a new executive team include Dr. Claudia Manning, who will serve as ECIAfrica managing director, Bahle Sibisi, and Sangaylan Moodliar. The three will join ECIAfrica’s Sipho Dayel in guiding the ongoing growth and development of DAI's southern African subsidiary.

DAI’s Denis Gallagher, the current ECIAfrica managing director, supervised formation of the partnership and is working with the Sangena team as it implements a smooth transition and handover.

Launched in 1994 as a joint venture between DAI and South African development experts, ECIAfrica remains a strategic partner of DAI with deep corporate ties to the company, including overlapping history, personnel, and mission. ECIAfrica benefits from seamless cooperation with DAI and access to the company's global network of resources, technical expertise, and project management systems.

Sangena Investments is a South African consulting and investment company with strong expertise in economic development, infrastructure finance, and industrial and trade policy issues.

DAI-led Project Credited with Reducing Risk of Avian Influenza in Indonesia

Mon, 10 May 2010 12:00:00 EST

A DAI-led project has expanded Indonesians’ knowledge of and alertness to avian influenza and successfully embedded risk-reduction efforts in vulnerable regions, according to VIPs at an April 28, 2010, conference in Jakarta, Indonesia.

During the standing-room only event at Le Meridien Hotel, the Community-Based Avian Influenza Control Project (CBAIC), funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), was recognized for empowering Indonesian communities and helping the poultry industry and government reduce risks associated with transmission of avian influenza (AI).

Since CBAIC began, the number of human deaths in Indonesia due to the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus decreased from 45 in 2006 to 37 in 2007 and 19 in 2009, according to the World Health Organization.

“Bird flu cases in poultry and humans are decreasing; the last case found in a human was in Jakarta in January,” said Emil Agustiono, Indonesia’s Deputy Coordinating Minister for Social Welfare, as quoted in the Jakarta Post article on the conference. “The H5N1 virus, which is pathogenic and deadly, is endemic in Indonesia. But we should not be afraid. We just need to be aware of it.”

The conference, titled “Sustaining Efforts to Reduce Risk of AI through Partnerships,” formally recognized the end of CBAIC’s four-year mission and served to encourage and reinforce local ownership of CBAIC risk-reduction initiatives, including a program for mobilizing communities to identify and reduce their AI risks, and a commercial poultry biosecurity program for improved disease control and productivity.

USAID/Indonesia Mission Director Walter North delivered keynote remarks to an audience that included the project’s local implementers and trainers, and leaders from the poultry industry, government, and international agencies.

Chicken farming is a primary livelihood in Indonesia, and chicken a food staple. AI has killed nearly 150 people in Indonesia, more than twice that of any other country, and millions of chickens have died from the disease or were culled to reduce its spread.

In its first two years, CBAIC built a network of 27,000 village AI control volunteers across nine western Indonesian provinces with the help of local implementing partners Indonesian Red Cross and Muhammadiyah. Since then, in response to new information about AI and AI transmission, CBAIC has targeted the heavily populated provinces of West Java and Yogyakarta. Provincial and district governments there championed CBAIC initiatives, which led to overwhelming community participation, allowing the AI risk-reduction program to take root.

As a result, research shows that residents in CBAIC-mobilized communities—with a combined population of millions—are significantly more likely than residents in non-CBAIC areas to practice risk-reducing behaviors. These include reporting sudden death of chickens to local leaders or animal health officials, burying dead chickens, and thoroughly washing hands, clothes, tools, and surfaces that have been in contact with poultry or poultry parts.

More than 150 communities in West Java mobilized under CBAIC, increasing the capacity of more than 3,400 local leaders, officials, and members of the poultry supply chain. Poultry owners, producers, traders, transporters, slaughterhouses, and vendors also participated in CBAIC.

CBAIC outreach to Desa Siaga—the Ministry of Health’s “alert village” program— reached more than 1,400 villages across West Java and Yogyakarta. The Desa Siaga program trains communities in disaster and emergency preparedness and response.

Desa Siaga outreach trained more than 350 AI master trainers, who in turn trained nearly 3,500 village health cadres across West Java and Yogyakarta. These community-level cadres now regularly disseminate AI risk-reduction messages at religious, women’s, and youth group meetings.

Per a request from the Indonesian Ministry of Health, CBAIC provided project-developed AI risk-reduction training manuals for every provincial and district Desa Siaga office across the country.

In support of CBAIC, three supporting mass media campaigns—in early 2008, early 2009, and late 2009 through early 2010—each reached more than 100 million Indonesians nationwide with specific action-oriented AI risk-reduction messages.

The CBAIC commercial poultry private sector program collaborated with more than 350 farms to increase biosecurity and good flock management practices such as controlling access to farms, implementing and practicing proper disinfection techniques, and regularly practicing hand washing with soap. Private sector support of the program is strong, Industry leaders report that the core biosecurity and good management practices of the CBAIC program are widely accepted throughout the industry.

Sustaining AI Risk-Reduction Efforts in Indonesia

Signs indicate that CBAIC’s initiatives and recommendations will carry on. Indonesian government personnel and funds helped support program implementation. Local AI risk-reduction policies and regulation have been established or strengthened, and district and local governments declared verbally and in writing to continue the initiatives after CBAIC ends.

“We feel very confident that many of the AI abatement measures introduced by CBAIC will become a permanent aspect of Indonesia’s public health and biosecurity practices,” said Maria I. Busquets, CBAIC’s chief of party.

Other groups participating in the conference included the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, World Health Organization, International Livestock Research Institute, John Snow International, the Indonesian-Dutch Partnership, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Centers for Disease Control, as well as press representing more than 20 different newspapers and magazines.

Philadelphia Inquirer Cites IDEA-NEW as Model of Success in Afghanistan

Mon, 03 May 2010 12:00:00 EST

Calling it a “Model of Success,” The Philadelphia Inquirer syndicated columnist Trudy Rubin on May 2, 2010, profiled the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded project in Afghanistan, Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East and West (IDEA-NEW).

Rubin has written extensively from Afghanistan, Iraq, and other conflict areas, and she lauded IDEA-NEW, which is led by DAI, as “a new model for aid operations,” specifically citing the project’s high level of local Afghan participation in its programming.

“I was looking for U.S. civilian-aid programs in Afghanistan that actually work, and offer Afghans the help they need to improve their lives,” Rubin wrote from Jalalabad, Afghanistan. “On this trip, I found such a program.”

DAI’s Water Efficiency Project in Jordan Wins Global Distinction Award

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST

A DAI-led water efficiency project in Jordan was recently presented the Global Water Intelligence Distinction Award.

The project, Instituting Water Demand Management in Jordan (IDARA), was honored on April 26, 2010 in Paris, France, during “Global Water Summit 2010: Transforming the World of Water.” Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan presented the award, along with others in 12 categories.

IDARA, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented through Jordan’s Water Demand Management Unit of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the water utilities, is a wide-ranging program of water demand management initiatives aimed at promoting water-use efficiency in one of the world’s driest countries.

“IDARA is unique in that it is a comprehensive and crosscutting project,” said DAI’s Mohamed Chebaane, IDARA’s chief of party. “It includes policy reform, legal and institutional strengthening, state-of-the-art technology, best management practices, socioeconomic analysis, public-private partnership, public awareness and education, and capacity building.”

To receive the trophy from Queen Noor, Chebaane was joined onstage by Maysoon Zoubi, the Secretary General of Jordan’s Ministry of Water and Irrigation, and Jay Knott, director of USAID mission in Jordan. Approximately 500 people from private and public water institutions throughout the world attended the ceremony.

Global Water Intelligence, a leading publication and analyst of the international water industry, noted in its nomination that Jordan is unable to meet the needs of its growing population through big engineering projects alone. Instead, the country and IDARA engages citizens directly in its water conservation efforts.

For example, IDARA’s efforts are yielding a 40-percent reduction in water demand from new high-rise developments in Amman as a result of the implementation of a new advisory building code, and a 15- to 20-percent reduction in water demand from residential areas in IDARA’s outreach program. Private sector companies such as HSBC joined to support Jordan Water Company-Miyahuna’s summer 2009 water conservation campaign to install water-saving devices in 2,000 residential units in the Kingdom’s capital.

DAI’s Kevin Haggerty Named Finalist for CFO Award

Fri, 23 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI Chief Financial Officer Kevin Haggerty was honored April 21, 2010, as a SmartCFO finalist during a dinner hosted by SmartCEO magazine. Haggerty was feted along with 14 others selected from among 60 CFOs nominated in the Washington, D.C., area.

Haggerty was chosen for his role on the executive management team, relationship with the DAI chief executive officer, and for going above and beyond the call of duty to maintain or strengthen DAI’s financial integrity.

Among other achievements, Haggerty, who joined DAI in 2006, was specifically cited for building relationships with DAI’s operations, bank, and board of directors, to make DAI’s finance department a practical partner in achieving DAI’s development mission.

“We’ve been through the era of one-dimensional CFOs,” CEO James Boomgard said as part of Haggerty’s nomination. “Kevin’s broad appreciation of our marketplace, our projects, and our people brings a broader, more useful perspective, and makes for more effective deliberations and discussions among the executive team.

“You have to have people rise up above their special area of interest to see the whole company’s mission, and Kevin gives that to me.”

Haggerty’s SmartCFO selection is featured in the April issue of SmartCEO magazine. The magazine will name its CFO of the year at an awards ceremony on May 27 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.

DAI Issues Statement on Murder of Hosiy Sahibzada in Kandahar, Afghanistan

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST

Hosiy Sahibzada, a young woman working on a DAI project, was shot to death today on the streets of Kandahar, Afghanistan. DAI has released the following statement in reaction to the murder.

“There are heavy hearts across the DAI family as we mourn the devastating loss of our esteemed colleague Hosiy Sahibzada, who joined DAI’s Afghanistan team in spring 2009. Our thoughts and prayers are with Hosiy’s family and friends. We will honor Hosiy’s memory by continuing to work for the advancement of women in Afghanistan and beyond.”

Center for Development Excellence Acquires Prime Training Assets

Mon, 12 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI’s Center for Development Excellence (CDE) is pleased to announce it has acquired the training assets of the Washington, D.C.-based Center for Public Management (CPM), a leading provider of U.S. Government contract compliance and financial management training.

With the move, CDE obtains a suite of materials that provide seminar participants the tools necessary to meet the procedural and contractual requirements of U.S. Government clients, principally the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDE also acquired three master’s certificate programs, and financial software and softcopy templates created expressly for managing USAID awards.

The CDE opened in January 2010 and is officially registered as CDE Resources, LLC. It conducted its first training modules in February. The CDE’s mission is to build the capacity of practitioners and organizations all over the world to track, bid on, win, implement, and responsibly account for development contracts and grants. By acquiring the training assets of CPM, which was founded in 1975 and conducts courses worldwide, the CDE gains access to an additional roster of veteran trainers as well as the training materials.

“The CDE is dedicated to building the capacity of local development practitioners and organizations,” said Mehreen Tanvir, CDE Program Director. “These new resources will absolutely strengthen our ability to help local individuals and groups implement U.S. Government projects more effectively and accountably.”

CPM’s global and U.S. clients will experience a seamless transition, with the course schedule and structure remaining unchanged. CPM founder and lead trainer Robert E. Stross will continue to conduct CPM training and train trainers as needed, and he will advise the new management of CPM as a consultant. Not included in the transaction was Mr. Stross’s popular NGO Financial Newsletter, which he will continue to edit and publish as an independent, standalone enterprise.

“I have worked with DAI for many years,” said Mr. Stross, who has conducted more than 1,400 seminars in 35 countries. “DAI and its Center for Development Excellence will bring highly professional management to the CPM materials and extend their reach into hitherto untapped local constituencies, in line with the CDE’s capacity-building mission.”

“We know from experience that the best and most enduring solutions to development challenges are those designed and implemented locally, and ultimately owned by local people and institutions,” added James Boomgard, DAI’s President and CEO. “That is why we founded the CDE, and we are proud to add Bob Stross’s highly regarded body of training materials to the CDE portfolio.”

The CDE will convene the next CPM trainings, as scheduled, in Islamabad from April 18-22.

Crucial Development Issues Discussed by Thousands at Global Pulse 2010

Fri, 09 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST

More than 6,000 people and an influential group of VIPs gathered online last week to discuss issues and opportunities in global development during Global Pulse 2010. DAI was a featured partner for the initiative.

The unprecedented collaboration attracted participants from 155 countries who contributed, reacted, and lent perspective on issues crucial to development success. Their more than 9,000 posts are being analyzed and prepared by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and IBM for dissemination to the global development community and decision makers, including USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah.

“This content will provide valuable input as we shape and assess the strategic direction of our foreign affairs agencies, their programs, and future engagement with stakeholders,” Shah said. “Global Pulse 2010 has built a strong foundation for future global engagement activities.”

The March 29-31 digital event was hosted on IBM’s Jam Technology, enabling numerous, simultaneous online brainstorming sessions with discussants checking in and out of sessions at will. While many idea threads emerged, 10 key issues were identified to start the talks:

Empowering women and girls;

Enabling essential education;

Building stronger partnerships;

Exercising political and civil rights;

Inspiring a new generation;

Promoting global health;

Advancing entrepreneurship, trade and economic opportunity;

Fostering science, technology and innovation;

Supporting a sustainable planet; and

Pursuing grand challenges.

Participants were diverse—60 percent from outside the United States, 51 percent women, and 50 percent under 35 years old. Their postings can be viewed upon registering at the Global Pulse 2010 platform. More than 2,400 participants and others have continued their collaborations on the Global Pulse 2010 Facebook page.

Sonal Shah, director of the White House’s Office of Social Innovation and Civic Participation, and Ambassador Melanne Verveer, U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, led the VIP participation. Other notables included African musician and activist Yossou N’Dour, U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra, and USAID Mission Directors Jay Knott and Jeffery D. Bell, all of whom facilitated talks by requesting ideas and responding to comments. Leaders from universities, media, business, and development-minded institutions also participated.

USAID sponsored Global Pulse 2010 in partnership with the Departments of State, Education, Commerce, and Health and Human Services, and leading development organizations and academic institutions.

Through DAI’s Global Development Alliance Strategic Support Program, DAI’s Global Development Commons team built the IBM relationship for Global Pulse 2010, supported the design of the concept, devised the communications strategy, and managed the project startup. In the days before the event, DAI built quick-impact media partnerships and advised USAID on follow-up activities and investments.

DAI continues to be a leader in “open innovation” consulting for the government sector. Open innovation is a paradigm that calls for organizations to share information with—and leverage ideas and input from—the greater community to find better solutions, including solutions to development challenges.

DAI Named Finalist for SECAF Small Business Partner Award

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:00:00 EST

The Washington, D.C.-based Small and Emerging Contractors Advisory Forum (SECAF) named DAI a finalist for Small Business Partner of the Year as part of the Second Annual SECAF Awards Gala.

The April 29 event in McLean, Va., will honor small and emerging government contractors and the organizations in the government contracting arena that rely on small businesses. DAI was nominated in the Small Business Partner of the Year category for privately owned companies with annual revenues of more than $25 million.

The nomination cited DAI for establishing and actively supporting mentorships, teaming, partnerships, and other programs with and for small and emerging contractors. SECAF cited DAI’s leadership, its business model that recruits the participation of small and emerging contractors, and revenues subcontracted by DAI to small businesses and certified/set-aside firms.

Employee-owned DAI has partnered with numerous small companies, nonprofits, and nongovernmental organizations to plan and implement development projects around the world. DAI is currently working on 115 projects in 64 countries.

SECAF was founded in 2001 by business leaders to grow the base of small and emerging government contracting entrepreneurs. The forum’s objective is to arm its more than 250 members with business resources, access to people of influence and government agencies, and advocacy opportunities and education.

SECAF also serves medium-to-large government contractors, providing introductions to specialized small businesses that enable the overall contracting community to work more productively.

Experts Gather in Uzbekistan to Discuss Vital Cold Storage Needs

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

Cold storage experts and agroprocessing professionals convened last week in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, to address the country’s growing need to efficiently package, deliver, and store fresh produce.

The Cold Store Operations workshop at the Grand Mir Hotel taught best practices and innovations in cold storage technology, crucial for Uzbekistan as its farms yield higher volumes of fruits and vegetables. The country lacks modern cold storage capacity, which is required for the further processing of fruits and vegetables (and the livelihoods and commerce associated with that process) as well as for maintaining freshly harvested products.

The March 9-11 event was hosted by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan. Richard Tracy, director of international programs for the Global Cold Chain Alliance, led the discussions along with consultants Patrick Hughes and Jorge Fonseca.

The workshop was cosponsored by AgLinks Uzbekistan, a U.S. Agency for International Development-funded project led by DAI, and the United Nations Development Programme’s Business Forum of Uzbekistan. U.S. Ambassador Richard B. Norland addressed 55 attendees from Uzbekistan’s agriculture and agroprocessing industry.

Participants discussed facility and warehouse design, energy management, food handling, temperature management, monitoring and documentation, and Hazard Analysis & Critical Control Points (HACCP), among other topics.

Effective cold storage—including basic storage, refrigeration, and freezing—minimizes postharvest losses and preserves the appearance and quality of fruits and vegetables for long-term storage and further processing. The workshop familiarized companies and entrepreneurs with basic and advanced technologies in cold storage and sought to develop a network of participants in this field that can be integrated into the international cold storage system.

AgLinks Uzbekistan is a four-year project to increase agricultural productivity in Uzbekistan through a mix of technical assistance and training.

Jordan, DAI Launch Comprehensive Fiscal Reform Project

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

On March 11, His Excellency Minister of Finance Dr. Mohammad Abu Hammour of Jordan joined the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the DAI/Nathan Group for the official launch of USAID/Jordan’s Fiscal Reform II Project (FRP II).

Dr. Abu Hammour and others spoke during a ceremony at the Sheraton Amman Al Nabil Hotel & Towers before an audience of senior Jordanian government and USAID officials, ambassadors, donors, nongovernmental organizations, and the media. He noted Jordan’s solid financial footing and recent economic progress, but acknowledged the government’s inefficiencies and the need to address the growing deficit, cut expenditures, and increase tax revenues without imposing new burdens on taxpayers.

FRP II is a five-year project funded by USAID/Jordan and implemented by the DAI/Nathan Group. The project aims to strengthen revenue administration, improve budget planning and execution, and ease the flow of goods across borders, while cultivating the demand and capacity for delivering improved public investments, better services, and greater efficiency across Jordan’s public sector.

The Minister commented that with FRP II’s support and collaboration, the Jordanian government will become more efficient, competent, and resourceful.

“We look forward to continued productive cooperation in the years to come,” Dr. Abu Hammour said. “We are confident our joint efforts will ultimately help Jordan accomplish its development goals, reach a deficit-free budget, and provide Jordanians with a better future.”

FRP II’s primary counterparts include the Ministry of Finance and its various departments, the Ministry of Public Sector Development, and the Minister of State for Mega-Projects.

USAID/Jordan Mission Director Jay Knott highlighted the opportunities and the challenges facing the Kingdom.

“Jordan has the potential and desire to be a hub of economic prosperity and stability in the region,” Knott said. “However, achieving this agenda requires more than changes in process and policy; it requires that the government encourages and demands innovation and efficiency at all steps in the planning and budgeting process.

“Collectively, the activities of FRP II will foster and promote a whole government that does just that—through the concept of results-oriented government."

Dr. Abu Hammour emphasized that a better-performing government will help the Kingdom attract foreign direct investment and combat the twin ills of poverty and unemployment. He added that FRP II complements and supports the workplan the government recently presented to His Majesty King Abdullah II.

“Our fiscal reform efforts … will help us transform the government into a high-performing, results-oriented administration that taxes citizens progressively, spends wisely, and facilitates and enables a strong private sector that can trade easily,” Dr. Abu Hammour said.

DAI’s Mark Gallagher serves as FRP II’s Chief of Party, supported by Deputy Chief of Party Christina Erickson, also of DAI.

Also in Jordan, DAI is implementing Instituting Water Demand Management in Jordan (IDARA), a wide-ranging program of water demand management initiatives aimed at driving down water usage in one of the world’s driest countries. IDARA was recently named a finalist in the 2010 Global Water Awards, presented by the London, U.K.-based Global Water Intelligence.

DAI, Key Stakeholders See Enormous Potential in Pakistan’s Cotton Industry

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

Upgrades to Pakistan’s large cotton industry could greatly improve its overall productivity, creating jobs, raising local incomes, and contributing substantially to the country’s social and economic development, according to a study funded and conducted by DAI.

The study, endorsed by the country’s Textile Ministry and numerous key stakeholders, found that cotton growers, traders, ginners, and textile manufacturers would all benefit if strategic changes were implemented in the sector.

Specifically, seed quality should be improved, storage and distribution upgraded, ginning modernized, cotton contamination reduced, and trade laws and policies enforced, said Zahid Elahi, Managing Director of DAI Pakistan. Such changes would result in cotton and textiles of consistently higher quality that attract more customers and command better prices.

“Pakistan is the world’s fourth-leading producer of cotton, yet we fall well short of optimizing the industry,” Elahi said. “These fundamental but feasible changes would make long-lasting, positive differences for every Pakistani who is connected to the cotton business.”

Cotton touches an enormous number of Pakistanis. Cotton production supports Pakistan’s largest industrial sector, comprised of more than 400 textile mills, 1,000 ginneries, and 300 cottonseed oil expellers, thus providing an economic livelihood for millions of farmers and those employed along the entire cotton and textile value chain. The sector accounts for 40 percent of Pakistan’s total labor force and nearly 60 percent of exports.

The study is part of a private sector initiative launched by DAI, which has been supporting development efforts in Pakistan since 1982. The initiative seeks to identify and implement sustainable private sector solutions that will simultaneously drive commerce and development. DAI, which has analyzed and improved agricultural value chains worldwide, is focusing on Pakistan’s cotton sector because of its growth potential and the broad impact it already has on large and small businesses and on people throughout Pakistan.

Throughout the value chain—from the farm level to international retailers such as Wal-Mart, IKEA, and H&M—the cotton sector presents an opportunity for an integrated development effort addressing agriculture, water management, counterinsurgency, and governance. Since cotton is handpicked exclusively by women, improving the sector also has the potential to increase employment among women. Cotton sector interventions even offer opportunities for carbon credit market development.

The strategy emerging from the study is in line with Pakistan’s Cotton Vision 2015, Poverty Reduction Strategy, and Medium-Term Development Framework, and is therefore in line with Government of Pakistan policies, so it represents an opportunity for a coordinated donor approach.

“Various government and private sector associations involved in this sector are eager to bring about qualitative improvements,” Elahi said. “We believe the cotton and textile sector can and will be the driver of change in Pakistan’s economy, and we are planning to implement pilot projects in this sector with the support of key institutions and donor agencies.”

Cotton is mostly grown in some of the poorest and most vulnerable areas of Pakistan, Elahi noted, such as southern Punjab province and northern Sindh province. Upgrading the sector could have stabilizing effects in these areas. The study also showed that the Dera Ismail Kahn district of North-West Frontier Province and Zhob district of Balochistan province have potential to grow organic cotton, which commands a premium price on international markets.

ECIAfrica’s John James Named to South Africa Small Business Advisory Council

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

John James, Chief of Party of the ECIAfrica-led South African International Business Linkages (SAIBL) program, was recently named to the country’s National Small Business Advisory Council. The appointment was made by Rob Davies, South Africa’s Minister of Trade and Industry.

The council advises the Minister on the impact of legislation on small business; constraints affecting small business viability; national standards for development and regulation; business infrastructure creation, skills development, and value chain access; and strategies to address market failures.

James said he is honored to serve the country in the high-priority small business sector, particularly given its central role in meeting South Africa’s Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) objectives.

"I firmly and passionately believe that our country's economic development and success, as a thriving democracy, will depend significantly on the pace at which small enterprises, particularly black enterprises, integrate and become involved in the mainstream economy,” James said.

ECIAfrica, a partly owned subsidiary of DAI, is helping to establish the South African Supplier Diversity Council (SASDC), which will link black-owned small enterprises in South Africa to larger corporations and their supply chains. James’ SAIBL project, which is funded by U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented with the Corporate Council on Africa, is providing initial support for the SASDC.

“My focus on the Minister’s council will be on improving the environment and space in which large corporations can play a leading role in supplier diversity,” James said. “We shall do this through increased targeted procurement and enterprise development focused on black suppliers.

“Corporate competitiveness is, in fact, enhanced through diversification. We have to move our thinking and practices beyond BEE compliance to doing this based on sound business reasons.”

DAI Advocates Integrated Response to Zoonotic Disease at Infectious Diseases Congress

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

Zoonotic diseases such as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) have an impact across societies. A farmer can quickly lose hundreds of chickens, for example, if one bird from the flock contracts HPAI. The disease, also known as bird flu, has proven more than 50 percent fatal to humans as well when the H5N1 virus is transmitted from birds.

Since HPAI often strikes poor, highly populated areas, the first illnesses and deaths can portend a fast-spreading public health risk.

Other zoonotic diseases—which affect both humans and animals—pose similar hazards, including far-reaching socioeconomic consequences. Preparing for and responding to them, therefore, requires an approach integrated across society, according to DAI’s Dr. Gary Mullins, Technical Area Manager for Infectious Diseases.

Mullins represented DAI on March 9-12 in Miami, Florida, at the 14^th International Congress of Infectious Diseases, where he presented a poster titled, “‘One World, One Health’ in Practice: Integrating Public Health and Veterinary Curricula on Emerging Infectious Diseases in Africa.” The event convened thought leaders to share the latest discoveries, results, and issues at the forefront of this technical field.

“Zoonotic diseases have immediate implications for human and animal health, of course, but also can impact food security as well as economies on a local, regional, and international scale, such as by causing a cease in trade,” said Mullins, Project Team Leader for the DAI-led Stamping Out Pandemic and Avian Influenza (STOP AI) project, which is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development.

“In the worst case, should avian influenza evolve into a disease easily transmitted from human to human, as some pathologists fear, preparation and response to a possible pandemic would need to be worldwide, and simultaneously have to address avian as well as human populations,” Mullins continued. “[STOP AI’s] approach to preparing communities and regions for zoonotic diseases, therefore, is an integrated one.”

Mullins presentation described how STOP AI’s formal training integrates medical, veterinary, and public health disciplines to address emerging zoonotic disease.

Under STOP AI, training modules—on HPAI epidemiology, risk assessment, surveillance, outbreak response, biosafety, and biosecurity—are integrated by teams of veterinary, medical, public health, and socioeconomics professionals to ensure interaction between the disciplines at all stages of planning, surveillance, and response to HPAI.

In Africa, the STOP AI method has been tried and embraced, and will be piloted this spring by the University of Ghana’s School of Public Health in an integrated core curriculum as a master’s degree course elective.

Center for Development Excellence Delivers First Classes for Pakistani Aid Practitioners

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:00:00 EST

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan— The newly opened Center for Development Excellence (CDE) last week completed its first series of training modules to coach development practitioners in Pakistan on how to bid on, win, and successfully implement donor-funded projects.

The 16 attendees—representing local firms and nongovernmental organizations—were especially keen to take the training in light of international donors’ increasing commitment to Pakistan. For example, the U.S. Government plans to spend $7.5 billion over five years on development in Pakistan, and wishes to engage qualified local partners in implementing those programs.

Though numerous local Pakistani aid organizations are committed to tackling Pakistan’s development problems, many lack the expertise and organizational frameworks to take on larger, donor-funded assistance projects. Attendees said they came away from the CDE training better prepared to take on large projects, specifically complimenting the breadth of the curriculum and how it revealed areas for improvement in the attendees’ capacities.

"DAI has taken a good first step in aligning prospective beneficiaries of USAID funding in Pakistan,” said participant Ammanullah Khan of the Pakistan Center for Philanthropy. “The content of the modules touched upon all the relevant and general rules and processes that would guide the complete project cycle.”

Financed and managed by DAI, the Center draws on the company’s 40 years of research and practical experience in implementing donor-funded projects. Last week’s training was organized by and conducted at the DAI Pakistan office in Islamabad, where DAI experts Carmen Lane and Doug McLean, consultant John McElwaine, and CDE Program Director Mehreen Tanvir covered:

Competing for U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) contracts;

Project planning, execution, and reporting;

Contract compliance and financial management;

Risk management, financial controls, and audits; and

Ethics and standards of conduct.

CDE’s group training also enabled attendees to network with each other, with an eye toward future collaborations when opportunities arise. The Center, in fact, is designed to promote collaboration between local Pakistani aid organizations and development firms so they can share best practices and work together more effectively.

DAI, an employee-owned development firm founded in 1970, has worked in Pakistan for clients such as the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development, and the U.K. Department for International Development. It currently implements the Pakistan Legislative Strengthening Program and the Pakistan Federally Administered Tribal Areas Capacity Building Program.

Chamber of Commerce Vows to Help South Africa Meet Diversity Goals

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

Many foreign companies wish to do business in South Africa while also investing as required in the country’s black economic empowerment (BEE) objectives. But BEE legislation, designed to help black entrepreneurs and workers overcome the legacy of apartheid and enter the business mainstream, can be prohibitive to the greater business community. So can other barriers to trade.

These issues took center stage last week at the Hilton Hotel in Sandton, Johannesburg, during the American Chamber of Commerce in South Africa’s 32^nd Annual General Meeting. ECIAfrica, a partly owned subsidiary of DAI, sponsored the meeting, which convened more than 100 business leaders. U.S. Ambassador Donald Gips delivered the keynote remarks.

Ambassador Gips told attendees that removing barriers to trade in South Africa was a main focus of the embassy, adding that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) welcomes ideas from Chamber members on how to improve the business climate. Compliance with the country’s Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act of 2007 and the crafting of equitable labor laws are chief concerns of both domestic and foreign businesses, as well as the country’s labor force.

The Chamber vowed at the meeting to continue its consultations on these issues with the country’s Department of Trade and Investment, appreciative that South Africa’s diversity initiatives strive to create and develop enterprises, prompt investment, empower black women and youth, and improve the skills and education of the labor pool, with the ultimate aim of enabling sustained growth.

To comply with South Africa’s B-BBEE scorecard, businesses operating in the country are required to invest for black laborers and businesses in the areas of ownership, management control, skills development, preferential procurement, enterprise development, and socioeconomic development. Denis Gallagher, Managing Director of ECIAfrica, noted that ECIAfrica designs and implements solutions around the procurement and economic development portions of the scorecard.

ECIAfrica's highly successful, USAID-funded South African International Business Linkages (SAIBL) program, currently in its ninth year, has just facilitated the creation of a South African Supplier Diversity Council (SASDC), whose member corporations work together to leverage resources and share knowledge, experience, and best practices in supplier diversity development.

“The member corporations of SASDC will commit to opening up more opportunities for black suppliers, whom they will certify, and where necessary also invest in the development of the certified suppliers,” Gallagher said, adding that the council is modeled after the acclaimed, New York-based National Minority Supplier Development Council.

Attendees at the Chamber meeting included some of the largest companies doing business in South Africa, including Coca Cola, Hewlett Packard, Nike, Cummins, GM, Estee Lauder, The Bank of New York Mellon, Hyatt Regency, Motorola, 3M, and Deloitte.

“ECI designs and implements solutions around procurement,” Gallagher said in his closing remarks. “For all of you who grapple with procurement and economic development as part of your [BB-BEE] scorecard, please know we can customize a solution to suit your needs.”

El Salvador Tax Reform Boosts Revenues Available for Social Investment

Fri, 26 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

El Salvador last week concluded a five-year upgrade to its Ministry of Finance by launching systems for auditing and information technology that will help boost the country’s tax revenues.

The systems, together with new taxpayer call centers, advocacy units, criminal investigation teams, and other programs created since 2005, have so far helped the El Salvador government reap an additional $1.28 billion over projected tax collections during that period—without raising tax rates.

Robert Blau, the Charge d’ Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in El Salvador, Finance Minister Carlos Caceres, and Vice Minister Roberto Solórzano attended the launch event February 18, 2010, at the Hilton Princess San Salvador hotel.

The upgrade was coordinated by the Tax Policy and Administration Reform (TPAR) project, which is led by DAI and funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). TPAR’s overall objective is to help El Salvador’s tax system be more transparent, efficient, and safeguarded.

“Increasing tax revenues is one of the most important factors to boosting the social investment in the country and making Salvadoran society more equitable and progressive,” said Enrique Giraldo, the TPAR Chief of Party. “The global economic crisis continues placing serious constraints on tax revenue, while the pressure for the government to spend is strong. The challenge will be to preserve the hard-won gains made by the tax administration in the face of this new economic reality.”

At TPAR’s recommendation, the ministry has also created units for case selection, tax analysis, supervision and control, strategic planning, and fiscal compliance. The new structure is projected to reduce tax evasion by 25 percent over the next three years.

USAID has been supporting El Salvador’s efforts to improve its tax administration since 2001. In 2005, USAID designed TPAR to help implement fiscal reforms enacted in 2004 and increase tax collection without increasing tax rates. Among TPAR’s accomplishments:

Prior to the creation of a Taxpayer Assistance Call Center, the tax administration served an average 200 taxpayers per day; the administration now assists 1,300 taxpayers per day in low season and 4,000 per day on peak days.

A Taxpayer Advocate Unit now protects the constitutional and legal rights of taxpayers, improving accountability in the Salvadoran tax administration.

The Case Selection and Management System automates the audit selection process rather than leaving it to tax officials’ discretion, and provides a system for monitoring the progress of those cases.

The Transfer Pricing Initiative in El Salvador and Central America is boosting transfer pricing audit capacity. The governments of El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic participated in a TPAR-sponsored regional workshop to implement stronger transfer pricing regulation designed to thwart transnational tax cheating.

A Criminal Investigation Unit conducts investigations compliant with tax criminal law and enables the tax administration to send more robust cases to the Attorney General for prosecution.

The Anti-Corruption Unit collects and investigates alleged corruption cases within the tax administration. The unit so far has collected more than $15 million and there are more than 20 ongoing prosecutions.

A Fiscal Compliance Call Center uses an automated system to call absent and delinquent taxpayers to remind them of their obligations. These “robo-calls” in 2009 resulted in an uptick in collections of 100 percent over the proposed goals, while saving the Ministry $215,000 monthly in operational costs. Also, 45,000 people who had previously neglected to file tax returns filed their returns.

El Salvador’s tax-to-gross domestic product ratio rose from 12.2 percent in 2004 to 14.1 percent in 2007. This increase in tax yield of almost one-sixth was due to improved compliance and less evasion by taxpayers. During the 2009 worldwide recession, the tax ratio decreased to 13.3 percent in 2009 but was budgeted to be 12.9 percent due to the crisis.

Jordan’s IDARA Project Nominated for Global Water Use Efficiency Award

Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

A DAI-led project to improve water use efficiency in Jordan has been named a finalist in the 2010 Global Water Awards, presented by the London, U.K.-based Global Water Intelligence.

The project, Instituting Water Demand Management in Jordan (IDARA), is contending for Water Efficiency Project of the Year, one of 12 categories whose winners will be named April 26 in Paris, France, at “Global Water Summit 2010:Tranforming the World of Water.” IDARA is vying for first prize in its category alongside initiatives from the Philippines and South Africa, as well as one multinational project. Her Majesty Queen Noor of Jordan will present the awards.

IDARA, funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and implemented through Jordan’s Water Demand Management Unit of the Ministry of Water and Irrigation and the water utilities, is a wide-ranging program of water demand management initiatives aimed at driving down water usage in one of the world’s driest countries.

Global Water Intelligence, a leading publication and analyst of the international water industry, notes in its nomination announcement that Jordan is unable to meet the needs of its growing population through big engineering projects alone. Instead, the country engages citizens directly in its water conservation efforts. IDARA does this through its work on water policy, regulations, institutional support, technology, best management practice, education, and outreach. It is possibly the largest and most comprehensive demand reduction initiative in the world.

The nomination noted that IDARA’s efforts will yield a 40 percent reduction in water demand from new high-rise developments in Amman as a result of the implementation of a new advisory building code, and a 15-20 percent reduction in water demand from residential areas in IDARA’s outreach program. Private sector companies such as HSBC have joined the initiative to support water conservation projects.

Afghan Gem Dealers Join Thousands in Arizona for Leading Trade Fair

Mon, 15 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

Even as many of its export markets are derailed by ongoing conflict, Afghanistan is working on ways to satisfy the world’s demand for gemstones.

From February 2-7, 2010, 20 Afghan traders displayed their gemstones and jewelry in the Gem and Jewelry Exchange Trade Fair in Tucson, Arizona. The event attracted thousands of buyers, collectors, and enthusiasts from around the United States and the world.

Afghanistan yields some of the finest quality emerald, ruby, aquamarine, tourmaline, and kunzite. Its gold, silver, and deep blue lapis jewelry is also widely admired. In Tucson, traders displayed more than 15,000 gem specimens at the show’s Afghanistan Pavilion.

The Afghan traders were sponsored by the Afghanistan Small and Medium Enterprise Development (ASMED) Project, a DAI-implemented project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Participation in the Tuscon fair was organized in partnership with the Afghan Gemstone Traders Association.

ASMED experts consider gemstone exporting to be one of the country’s highest potential business sectors. ASMED and gemstone association officials believe that given the necessary support, within five years the country’s gemstone industry could reach export sales of more than $300 million per year.

While in Arizona, the traders visited the local ASARCO copper mining operation; the Mountain States R&D International mineralogical and geological testing laboratory, where they viewed latest techniques for substrate/mother rock removal from gem clusters; and the Caterpillar heavy mining equipment manufacturers' testing site. The visits were organized in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce's Afghanistan Reconstruction Task Force in Washington, D.C.

Participants said these visits were critical to Afghanistan's capability to export rough specimens and, eventually, cut stones to the international market. By meeting numerous buyers, retailers, and cutters at the gem show, the Afghans gained a better understanding of demand in the extended value chain—an important perspective because most of their rough material is currently traded to Pakistani intermediaries for processing and further export. The Afghan traders plan to work with ASMED’s "mines-to-market" program to solve some of the challenges Afghanistan faces in the exploration, mining, extraction, cutting, and marketing of stones for export.

At $170,000, the Afghan delegation’s overall sales were somewhat less than anticipated, reflecting weak demand that can in turn be attributed to the state of the world economy: inventory is high and buyers are accordingly tight, requesting special pricing.

But dealers expressed substantial interest in the specimens, in particular the ruby, tourmaline, and aquamarine lots, and the lapis jewelry pieces. And the Afghan traders absorbed valuable market information they can use to better price their lots and prepare their specimens, and established good contacts in the industry for potential future sales.

ASMED’s gemstone sector development project was launched in spring 2009 to revive Afghanistan’s rich gemstone and jewelry heritage. Working directly with miners, the Government of Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines, and local and international gemstone dealers, USAID and its implementing partners are stimulating the gems and jewelry industry at all points along the value chain, from mines to markets, emphasizing fair-trade working practices, social responsibility, and environmental sustainability.

Under ASMED, DAI is providing technical assistance and financial support to the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector and to organizations throughout Afghanistan that support SMEs. Headquartered in Kabul, ASMED’s activities have national reach, with provincial offices in Herat, Nangarhar, and Balkh, and partner activities in Helmand, Kandahar, and Badakshan.

Other key, sustainable sectors targeted by ASMED include marble, handicrafts, carpets, agribusiness, and cashmere and wool.

DAI’s James Boomgard Notes Progress in Afghanistan at Senate Roundtable

Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

Afghan nationals who a few years ago were being trained on development projects are now leading them; coordination between the military and development professionals working in Afghanistan is also coming together.

These positive yet unsung trends should be recognized, DAI CEO James Boomgard told the Contracting Oversight Subcommittee of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, during yesterday’s roundtable at the Senate Dirksen Office Building in Washington, D.C.

“Over the past four or five years you’ve seen an enormous increase in the capacity of the professional Afghan staff to lead some of these development efforts,” Boomgard told the roundtable. “They have been on the job for two or three years and are getting it, and they can bring on new people and train them. We’re seeing a development process going on, in terms of capacity building.”

Boomgard was joined by representatives from seven other development firms for “Business Perspectives on United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Reconstruction and Development Contracts in Afghanistan.”

Sens. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Robert Bennett (R-Utah) convened the roundtable to discuss the challenges of operating in Afghanistan, including travel, logistics, and security. Also discussed was planning for the increase in Armed Forces, civilian, and contractor personnel expected in the coming months.

“I think you all are doing admirable work,” McCaskill said. “Please convey to the people who work for you in country that we know they are outside the wire and they are doing work that is important and dangerous, and they should be admired for that.”

Boomgard reiterated his concern that USAID has been “decapitalized” in recent years and advocated for an infusion of resources and expertise for the Agency to strengthen its oversight and leadership of the immensely challenging development program in Afghanistan.

He also noted the increased coordination between the U.S. and coalition militaries with USAID and development practitioners in Afghanistan. He pointed to recent successes in areas such as Nawa, where local leaders and U.S. Marines in collaboration with development professionals from the Local Governance and Community Development program embarked on community projects in what had once been a Taliban stronghold.

“There’s a lot of collaboration [in the field] between the military and USAID at the planning level and operational level,” Boomgard said. “The most effective operations that have gone on in the last six months … have been a direct result of very close collaboration on the ground, in the right sequence, between military commanders who get it and development professionals.”

Dr. Boomgard was joined at the roundtable by representatives from Black & Veatch, Chemonics International, Creative Associates International. International Relief and Development, Inc., International Resources Group, Deloitte LLP, and The Louis Berger Group.

A webcast of the roundtable is available here. Following is the text of DAI’s prepared statement from James Boomgard, distributed prior to the roundtable.

Madame Chairman:

On behalf of DAI, let me first thank the Subcommittee on Contracting Oversight for this opportunity to share some of our insight into one of the most pressing issues in U.S. foreign policy and security: the social and economic development of Afghanistan. I would also like to invite members of the Committee or their staffs to visit our projects in Afghanistan. Our employees are working with U.S. Government and Afghan partners in one of the most challenging environments on earth to create a more stable, more prosperous, and more democratic Afghanistan. We’d be delighted to show you that work.

DAI is a development company—an independent, employee-owned, mission-driven development company. Our mission is to make a difference in the world, by helping developing nations become more prosperous, fairer and more just, cleaner, safer, healthier, more stable, more efficient, and better governed. We have been pursuing that mission as an implementing partner of USAID and other development agencies for 40 years, in 150 developing countries. We currently run more than 100 projects in 65 countries, from earthquake transition assistance in Haiti and urban gardens programs for HIV/AIDS-affected women and children in Ethiopia to fiscal reform in Jordan and forest conservation in Indonesia. We work in many of the world’s most challenging environments, from sensitive post-conflict countries such as Sri Lanka and the Democratic Republic of Congo to current hotspots such as Iraq, Pakistan, and Afghanistan.

DAI’s first engagement in Afghanistan dates back to 1976, with the design for an integrated rural development project in Mohammed Agha District. Since then, we have carried out more than 20 assignments there, including a dozen major, long-term projects. From 1989 to 1993, we implemented the Agricultural Sector Support Project, which employed nearly 1,000 Afghans while providing agricultural support and improved infrastructure for tens of thousands more; and the Narcotics Awareness and Control Project, which provided seed, fertilizer, high-value crops, farm machinery, training, and small-scale irrigation and farm-to-market road repair to farming communities that reduced or eliminated poppy cultivation.

Since 2002 we have been managing projects continuously in Afghanistan for USAID and other donors, projects such as Assisting Afghanistan to Revitalize Irrigated Agriculture (2002–2004), the Microfinance Investment and Support Facility (2003–2005), and the World Bank/IBRD’s National Solidarity Program (2003–2006), which took a participatory planning approach to develop local social and economic infrastructure through the provision of grants to Community Development Councils. Beginning in 2004, we implemented the Afghanistan Immediate Needs Project (2004–2006), working with 70,000 families in Nangarhar province on income-generating, labor-intensive subprojects that created livelihood alternatives beyond the poppy economy.

This project laid the groundwork for similar work under the highly successful Alternative Development Program, Eastern Region (ADP/E, 2005–2009), a project that won the following accolade from USAID in its end-of-project Contractor Performance Report: “The contractor has performed in an outstanding manner. It has been a singular performance well in excess of requirements to achieve success. The manner of attainment of stated goals and objectives has been commendable and serves as an example to others. The contractor has demonstrated almost prescient problem solving skills that have contributed materially to strengthening working relationships with counterparts. Job well done.”

We currently manage four USAID projects—ADP/E’s successor, the Incentives Driving Economic Alternatives for the North, East, and West cooperative agreement (IDEA-NEW); the Afghanistan Small and Medium Enterprise Development activity (ASMED); the Local Governance and Community Development program (LGCD); and the Afghanistan Stabilization Initiative (ASI). In these projects, our teams work hand-in-hand with Afghan counterparts on efforts that range from strengthening local governance in the most dangerous provinces to improving livelihoods and supporting enterprise development nationwide. All told, these programs employ some 1,100 people, of whom more than 1,000 are local, host-country nationals. We have established a permanent DAI office in Kabul to provide back-office and technical support to these projects.

On the basis of this extensive experience in Afghanistan and in the development arena generally, we are delighted to bring our perspective to this roundtable discussion. The work of the civilian development community in Afghanistan is difficult and dangerous. The deaths of five DAI project staff in a bombing in Gardez brought that home to all of us in December. But our commitment to this mission remains firm, because the work to be done is so important, for Americans and Afghans alike. I come here today not to claim unqualified success in Afghanistan, nor to suggest a single or simple path to its development—far from it. But I hope our participation in today’s roundtable can advance the discussion about what is working in Afghanistan and what it will take to succeed in our ultimate mission there.

I thank you once again for the chance to address this distinguished panel.

DAI Hosts Study Group from National Defense University

Tue, 02 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

An Agribusiness Industry Study Group from the National Defense University last week visited DAI headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, to receive training in agribusiness, economic development, and working in post-conflict countries.

DAI presenters included Christopher Seeley on DAI’s projects in Haiti, including the ongoing earthquake relief effort; John McElwaine on DAI’s Afghanistan Small & Medium-Sized Enterprise Development Activity; Ioana Bouvier on geographic information systems (GIS); and William Grant and David Neven, who described DAI agribusiness projects in Burundi and Serbia, respectively. Betsy Marcotte, DAI’s Senior Vice President for Operations, gave opening remarks.

Approximately 20 attendees—military personnel and government civilians—participated in lively question and answer sessions, asking about topics including industries in Afghanistan that are considered sustainable; the differences in economic competitiveness and enabling environments between Afghanistan and Pakistan; and GIS’ role in coordinating development activities.

The event was organized by DAI’s Christopher Reynolds, who gave the attendees an overview on DAI, as well as on the development consulting industry, including its major firms, how the industry has grown, and how it operates with the U.S. Government. In particular, he and the presenters provided an understanding of global food needs, the use of foreign assistance to meet those needs, and the role of development firms in delivering the technical assistance required for agriculture development projects.

This marked the third time in three years that a study group from the National Defense University received training at DAI.

DAI Statement on USAID's Inspector General Report on FATA Capacity Building Project

Mon, 01 Feb 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI is proud of the work its team has done to implement USAID’s Federally Administered Tribal Areas Capacity Building Project (FATA CBP) in Pakistan, in one of the most challenging security and political environments in the world. While the Inspector General’s report is accurate that it took 10 months for this project to manage through these security and political challenges and hit full stride, the report contains significant gaps and fails to fully and fairly assess the progress of the program. DAI stands by USAID’s vigorous response to the audit, which is included as an appendix to the published report.

Among the shortcomings in the IG report are these:

The report covers only two of the five objectives for the project, despite clear testimony from USAID that FATA CBP excelled in implementing additional, more pressing components, such as economic growth and civil-military coordination —components that have achieved "considerable results." Thus, the report provides a misleading and unduly negative account of the true progress made by the project.

The report mentions but fails to account fully for the significance of a four-month unexplained delay in replenishment funding. This disruption caused all FATA CBP activities to grind to a halt, engendered huge distrust and skepticism on the part of our government and nongovernment partners (including our own Pakistani team members), and set the program back by almost a full year. The disruption was completely outside the control of both DAI and USAID.

The report does not take adequate account of the security situation in FATA and the security requirements necessary to meet an accelerated pace of project activities. The most notable incident was the assassination of a project manager for another USAID implementing partner in Peshawar; after this tragic event, DAI was required to move its operation to Islamabad, causing still more delays.

About DAI

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments.

Food Security Project for HIV-Affected Ethiopians Among Innovation Competition Finalists

Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

The USAID Urban Gardens Program for HIV-Affected Women and Children, which has assisted more than 5,000 households and 15,000 orphans and vulnerable children in Ethiopia, was named a finalist in a competition sponsored by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) and Ashoka’s Changemakers.com.

Urban Gardens, funded through the U.S. Agency for International Development by the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), and implemented by DAI, is one of 13 finalists selected from 247 entrants to the contest, “Improved Nutrition: Solutions through Innovation.” Finalists were chosen by a panel of six global nutrition experts assembled by the Geneva, Switzerland-based GAIN and Washington, D.C.-based Ashoka. Three winners will be chosen by online voting that is ongoing through February 8.

The finalists, representing projects from 12 countries, were cited for providing solutions with the best potential to scale-up and achieve major impact on communities that lack access to food with vital nutrients or are unaware of the benefits of good nutrition.

The Addis Ababa-based Urban Gardens since September 2008 has established gardens throughout six Ethiopian cities. The neighborhood and school-based gardens use irrigation drip-kits that conserve water and make the gardens easier to tend for AIDS sufferers too weak to perform hard labor, and for orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) who need to spend their days in school. The beneficiaries grow vegetables to sell and to consume, improving their nutrition through the consumption of the vegetables and the ability to purchase other foods. The project also provides technical assistance on the raising of vegetables and fruits and bringing the produce to market. In its first three years, the program intends to reach a total of 24,000 new households and 84,000 women and OVCs.

The three winners will each receive US$5,000 and be prominently featured on the Changemakers.com online social change community. Five entrants will also be sponsored to attend the GAIN Business Alliance Global Forum in Dubai in May 2010, where they will have the opportunity to present their projects to potential investors.

Vietnam Business, Government Leaders Applaud Launch of Latest Competitiveness Index

Mon, 25 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

More than 500 business and government leaders gathered January 14, 2010, in Hanoi for the launch of the 2009 Provincial Competiveness Index (PCI), which points to the need for improved transparency and labor quality in Vietnam’s provinces to spur investment and growth.

The ceremony was chaired by Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) Chairman Dr. Vu Tien Loc and U.S. Ambassador Michael Michalak. “PCI 2009 highlights the importance of economic governance in improving the business environment, and is a key measure of provinces’ ability to a-ttract investment, create jobs, and support economic growth,” Ambassador Michalak said, adding, “With the global economic downturn, improved governance has become even more critical for raising business confidence.”

PCI 2009 reflects the responses by 9,890 Vietnamese enterprises to a survey on provincial governance. It provides a rigorous analysis of economic governance and the regulatory environment in each of the country’s 58 provinces and five centrally managed cities, and sheds light on why some provinces show stronger private sector growth and dynamism relative to their neighbors.

The annual index, now in its fifth year, was developed by VCCI and the U.S. Agency for International Development under USAID’s Vietnam Competitiveness Initiative project, which is implemented by DAI.

"Thanks to the efforts of our Vietnamese counterparts, VCCI, provincial leaders, and businesses, the Provincial Competitiveness Index is now widely recognized as a useful tool for improved governance," Ambassador Michalak said.

USAID/Vietnam Representative, Francis A. Donovan, said that PCI 2009 is particularly significant because it incorporates the responses of more Vietnamese firms than ever before. "We are pleased to support VCCI's efforts to increase the awareness and application of the PCI throughout Vietnam," Mr. Donovan added.

Among its findings, PCI 2009 survey results indicate the need for greater transparency by provinces in sharing budget and land-use planning information, infrastructure development plans, and other documents that are important to help businesses inform their investment decision-making in Vietnam, one of the fastest-growing and most rapidly reforming countries in the world.

“The PCI represents the voice of the private sector and serves as a tool to support key reform initiatives such as the Prime Minister’s Project 30 [to cut administrative red tape] and decentralization,” Dr. Vu said in remarks to the audience. “I believe the PCI continues to be very important to support provincial leaders in their reform efforts, and assist central government leaders in making Vietnam a more competitive place for business.”

The event attracted media from throughout the country, generating more than 100 stories online in addition to wide coverage in print, TV, and radio.

Corporate partners for the event—including the American and European Chambers of Commerce, Microsoft, Intel, and FedEx—emphasized the importance of the PCI and of improving economic governance to the foreign and domestic business communities.

Da Nang province topped PCI 2009’s overall ranking, followed closely by Binh Duong. Lao Cai, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, and Vinh Phuc were also ranked among the top six. PCI 2009 also highlighted the top three reformers since 2006 -- Dien Bien, Ca Mau, and Long An -- noting their significant improvements in governance over the past four years. Government and business leaders presented awards to provincial leaders of the nine provinces.

Notably, PCI 2009 reported that the top provinces performed well in preparing workers to meet the increasing demand of foreign and domestic businesses for more highly skilled workers, and should be recognized for their accomplishments.

Overall, PCI 2009 survey results show that Vietnam continues to make progress in administrative reform. Businesses report that there have been improvements in the reduction of time costs for bureaucratic procedures and business startup or entry costs, which may be associated with the Prime Minister’s Administrative Simplification program, Project 30. Other notable areas of improvement identified include land access and legal institutions. Declines, however, were recorded in transparency, informal charges, and the proactivity of local leaders.

DAI Saddened By Haiti Earthquake; All Staff Accounted For

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

Updated, January 15. DAI is deeply saddened by this week's devastating earthquake and the terrible loss of life in Haiti.

Having worked in Haiti for more than 30 years, we have many friends and collaborators on the ground, in addition to three expatriate and 47 local employees on our current project, Haiti DEED (Economic Development for a Sustainable Environment). Our thoughts and prayers are with them and all the people of Haiti.

Given the catastrophic damage to Haiti’s power and communications infrastructure, we have had problems getting in touch with all of our people. But we can report that all DAI project staff are safe. One of those individuals is Haiti DEED’s Chief of Party, Mike Godfrey, who gave CNN this firsthand account of the earthquake and its aftermath from Port-au-Prince ("Entire building shook").

We extend our heartfelt sympathies to the victims of this disaster and stand ready to assist in the relief and recovery effort in due course.

Transparency Requested for Bangladesh Climate Change Initiatives

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

Bangladeshis are well aware that their country is vulnerable to extreme weather. Cyclones, monsoons, and heat waves in recent years have caused flooding, damage to drainage systems and drinking and farm water, and increased occurrence of disease.

Climate change is expected to exacerbate such risks for the densely populated, impoverished country. The Global Climate Risk Index, compiled by the German public policy organization Germanwatch, ranked Bangladesh at the top of its list of countries most vulnerable to climate change.

The Government of Bangladesh has allocated US$140 million over the past two years for a Climate Change Fund (CCF) to pay for projects and research toward mitigating climate change. To date, however, these funds have gone untouched.

At a workshop on December 30 in Dhaka, participants from civil society organizations and research institutes discussed their roles in monitoring the government’s budget to mitigate global climate change. "Global Climate Change and the National Budget: Lessons for Budget Analysis" was organized by Promoting Governance, Accountability, Transparency, and Integrity (PROGATI), a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project led by DAI that seeks to improve government oversight and expand ways for Bangladeshis to promote good governance.

In an initial presentation, workshop participants learned of key domestic and international funds, including the CCF, to finance global climate change initiatives. But concern over underutilization of funds and corruption has impeded access to the donor resources necessary to combat climate change. Policy advocates and representatives of coastal and other vulnerable communities at the workshop pushed for action, including transparency and accountability on how Bangladesh’s climate change mitigation funds are spent. Recommendations for tracking government expenditures and promoting accountability included:

Tracking expenditures through the remainder of fiscal year 2010 to ensure funds are being spent;

Identifying which ministries are establishing climate change units (the government has made funding available to all ministries);

Building ties with civil society organizations to monitor projects to promote accountability and transparency; and

Preparing to analyze the fiscal year 2011 budget for allocations related to climate change.

“The workshop addressed how the government will fund climate change initiatives, where the spending will take place, and how those outside the government can effectively monitor implementation of climate change policy,” said Jeremy Kanthor, a DAI democracy and governance specialist and PROGATI’s Deputy Chief of Party.

“The more people understand how and where money will be spent, the more accountable—and, we hope, effective—the government's climate change efforts will be. Ultimately, our goal is that this information will be fed to Parliament to help them oversee public expenditure on climate change.”

ECIAfrica Organizing Business Council to Promote Black South African Suppliers

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

ECIAfrica, a partly owned subsidiary of DAI, is playing a key role in establishing the South African Supplier Diversity Council (SASDC), which will link black-owned small enterprises in South Africa to larger corporations and their supply chains.

The SASDC will integrate the country’s pool of previously under-used and marginalized black suppliers, using targeted procurement and enterprise development strategies to join them in sustainable ways with potential buyers in South Africa and abroad.

The SASDC start-up will be championed and managed by the National Business Initiative, in partnership with the U.S. National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC), with initial support from the ECIAfrica-led South African International Business Linkages (SAIBL) program, which is funded by the United States Agency for International Development. The SASDC will draw its membership from corporations based or operating in South Africa, and be funded by member subscriptions and services fees.

“We are confident the SASDC will create and nurture outstanding and profitable business relationships for both entrepreneurs and their corporate customers,” said John James, SAIBL’s Chief of Party. “South Africa already has a sound business infrastructure and enabling environment. This council will speed up the participation of black entrepreneurs in the mainstream economy.”

The SASDC will be modeled after the NMSDC, a New York City-based U.S. corporate membership organization with nearly 40 years of experience in promoting and facilitating supplier diversity. The NMSDC has helped establish similar organizations—in Canada, the United Kingdom, China, and Australia—that link historically excluded populations with corporate purchasers to create mutually beneficial economic partnerships.

“Economic empowerment is one of the great equalizers,” said NMSDC President Harriet R. Michel. “I hope the SASDC will enhance economic integration and stability through black business development.”

National Business Initiative CEO Andre Fourie said the launch of the SASDC reinforces his organization’s commitment to equitably promote South Africa’s economy and job creation opportunities.

“South African corporations are exploring meaningful ways to support transformation that will enhance their competitiveness and sustainability, and underpin the stability of this young democracy,” Fourie said. “We need to deal with the ongoing economic consequences of the apartheid era, while ensuring that we become globally competitive.”

DAI Opens Center for Development Excellence to Assist Pakistani Aid Practitioners

Tue, 12 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

DAI is delighted to announce the launch of the Center for Development Excellence (CDE), a DAI-funded initiative to coach development practitioners in Pakistan and build the capacity of local firms and nongovernmental organizations to execute larger projects. Managed by DAI Pakistan out of its Islamabad office, and led by DAI’s Mehreen Tanvir, the CDE will offer its first training in February 2010.

Numerous local Pakistani aid organizations are committed to tackling Pakistan’s development problems, but many lack the expertise and organizational frameworks to bid on, win, and implement larger donor-funded assistance projects. This limitation is proving acute as the international community tries to provide funding and programming assistance to this strategically important country. The United States alone, for example, has pledged $7.5 billion in aid to Pakistan over the next five years. Other public and private donors also wish to partner with responsible Pakistani aid groups.

The CDE’s mission is to transfer the knowledge DAI has acquired over 40 years of implementing donor-funded projects worldwide, in technical areas such as agriculture and food security, economic growth, and good governance. DAI’s work history includes more than 25 years in Pakistan, encompassing some 30 projects for clients such as the Asian Development Bank, the United Nations Development Programme, the World Bank, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the U.K. Department for International Development (DFID).

“We know from experience that the best and most enduring solutions to development challenges are those designed and implemented locally, and ultimately owned by local people and institutions,” said James Boomgard, DAI’s President and CEO. “We created the Center for Development Excellence to help local organizations meet the demands that will come with the increasing assistance being offered to Pakistan, and with it the increased need for demonstrable project excellence and financial accountability.”

The CDE offers support in financial, contractual, and programmatic compliance, personnel resource management, logistics, training, and administrative management. It is designed to promote collaboration between local Pakistani aid organizations so they can share best practices and work together more effectively, with a special focus on engaging Pakistan’s women and girls.

Mehreen Tanvir, a native of Lahore, will lead the CDE. Ms. Tanvir most recently worked as a consultant for the World Bank on the Afghanistan Emergency Customs Modernization and Trade Facilitation project. She has worked closely with the Afghan Ministries of Finance and Commerce to strengthen infrastructure, human resource policy, and institutional frameworks to improve trade logistics and enhance customs revenues in the country.

Previously, Ms.Tanvir assisted the Iraqi Women’s Fellowship Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based NGO, in raising funds and developing a marketing and outreach strategy. A graduate of Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government with a master’s degree in public administration in international development, she has also taught development economics at the Lahore University of Management Sciences.

“Recent international and local events have put increasing demands on local capacity,” Ms. Tanvir said. “We recognize the importance of meeting these local practitioners’ needs in fulfilling Pakistan’s development objectives.”

The CDE’s training modules will include planning and managing for quality and impact in development projects; competing for international donor contracts and grants; planning, executing, and reporting on projects; ensuring contract compliance and financial management; managing risks through financial controls and audits; and establishing codes of ethics.

The CDE will partner with other local and international training institutes to create a capacity-building plan that covers regulations, policies, and compliance requirements for USAID, DFID, and other donor agencies. Development practitioners with experience managing and implementing projects in the region will teach the courses and offer topical, relevant seminars.

If the CDE proves successful, DAI will explore replicating the model in other countries as part of a broader effort to build local capacity around the world.

Updated Statement from DAI President and CEO Dr. James Boomgard Regarding Detainee in Cuba

Thu, 07 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

The DAI subcontractor detained in Cuba has now been in custody for more than a month. From the outset, our overriding concern has been the speedy release of the individual and his safe return to his family. This remains the case. We have been circumspect in our public statements, while working with the State Department and the family to resolve the situation.

Because recent allegations about the detained individual and the program for which he was working threaten to prolong his detention, we would like to correct certain misstatements that have appeared in the media.

The detained DAI subcontractor was not working for any intelligence service. As noted in our original statement of December 14, the detained individual—a committed development professional with many years of experience providing humanitarian and development assistance worldwide—was working as a subcontractor to DAI on a U.S. Agency for International Development program aimed at providing humanitarian assistance to the people of Cuba.

Specifically, he was working with a peaceful, non-dissident civic group—a religious and cultural group recognized by the Cuban government—to improve its ability to communicate with its members across the island and overseas. His activities included the distribution of basic IT equipment such as cell phones and laptops designed to facilitate this communication.

DAI was chosen to implement this program through an open bidding process. The program is working with Cuban civil society—civic, cultural, and community-based groups—to enhance their ability to improve the lives of Cubans and their communities.

Dr. James Boomgard

President and CEO

About DAI

DAI is a mission-driven economic and social development firm with a proud record of development successes going back 40 years. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including HIV/AIDS and avian influenza control, crisis mitigation, agriculture and agribusiness, democratic governance and public sector management, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change.

Article in Avian Diseases Journal Describes STOP AI Training Principles

Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:00 EST

An article written by DAI staff and consultants on training vulnerable populations to respond to avian influenza outbreaks has been accepted for publication in the scientific journal Avian Diseases.

"Practical High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza First Response Training Exercises”— authored by Andrea M. Miles, Harm Kiezebrink , Gary R. Mullins , Jules Sparrey, Meredith MacDonald, and Ed Salt—describes various aspects of DAI’s Stamping Out Pandemic and Avian Influenza (STOP AI) project, a U.S. Agency for International Development-funded initiative that has four basic principles: protect humans first, protect animals, contain the virus, and isolate the outbreak.

STOP AI’s training approach differs from traditional capacity building, the article explains, in that it uses experiential techniques and exercises to ground theory, while providing participants with opportunities to practice what they have learned in a safe environment. The project has used these practical, hands-on applications to prepare vulnerable populations around the globe in avian influenza response.

For information on purchasing the article or subscribing to Avian Diseases, the official journal of the Association of American Avian Pathologists, click here.

In other news, Dr. Mullins recently lectured on “The Socio-Economic Impacts of Eradicating Contagious Bovine Pleuropneumonia from Botswana” at Tufts University’s Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine in North Grafton, Massachusetts.

Because many of Botswana’s rural households depend on livestock for income and sustenance, Dr. Mullins observed, measures to contain and eradicate the bovine pleuropneumonia — which included mass culling in the 1990s—have likely permanently altered the rural economy. Subsequent relief efforts to restore sustainable livelihoods for these households have had mixed success, Dr. Mullins noted.

DAI Mourns Project Personnel Killed in Afghanistan

Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

DAI is deeply saddened to report the deaths of five staff associated with our projects in Afghanistan. Our hearts go out to the victims and their families, and the many development professionals touched by this tragedy.

Our first priority at this time is the safety and security of our Afghanistan staff, both expatriate and Afghan national, whose courage and dedication to the cause of Afghanistan’s development remain a source of inspiration, even at this most difficult of times.

On December 15, five employees of DAI’s security subcontractor were killed by an explosion in the Gardez office of the Local Governance and Community Development (LGCD) Program, a USAID project implemented by DAI. A second, apparently unconnected incident involved a car bomb near DAI offices in Kabul. The blast shattered windows but caused no severe injuries. DAI was not directly targeted, and all DAI employees are safe.

DAI is collaborating with our client and partner, the U.S. Agency for International Development, to ensure project continuity. The company is committed to doing everything it can to support the victims’ families and help our Afghanistan-based staff through this traumatic experience. All media inquiries should be directed to DAI’s Director of Communications, Steven O’Connor (301.771.7834, steven_o’connor@dai.com).

Statement from DAI President and CEO Jim Boomgard Regarding Detention of Subcontractor in Cuba

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:00:00 EST

The New York Times and other media outlets have reported the detention of a U.S. citizen in Cuba linked to DAI.

DAI is a professional economic development organization that has for 40 years been working to bring development benefits to millions of disadvantaged people in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Our prime concern is for the safety, well-being, and quick return to the United States of the detained individual. We have been working closely with the State Department to ensure that the detainee's safety and well-being is given top priority. Given the delicacy of this situation, we ask for media discretion. All inquires should be directed to the State Department.

In 2008, DAI competed for and was awarded a contract, the Cuba Democracy and Contingency Planning Program, to help the U.S. Government implement activities in support of the rule of law and human rights, political competition, and consensus building, and to strengthen civil society in support of just and democratic governance in Cuba ( www.usaid.gov/locations/latin_america_caribbean/country/cuba/ ).

The new program was also designed to help the U.S. Government address challenges raised about some aspects of its program in the past ( November 2006 GAO report on US Democracy Assistance for Cuba -- www.gao.gov/new.items/d07147.pdf ). DAI was engaged on the basis of its positive track record in development, and its capacity to provide sound management and administration of key aspects of U.S. Government programs such as this one, which involves support for the peaceful activities of a broad range of nonviolent organizations through competitively awarded grants and subcontracts.

The detained individual was an employee of a program subcontractor, which was implementing a competitively issued subcontract to assist Cuban civil society organizations.

Dr. James Boomgard
President and CEO

Teenagers from Ethiopia, Detroit Compare Urban Gardens Via Teleconference

Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:00:00 EST

As the young mothers and pregnant teens gathered around a big screen in Detroit, Michigan, another group sat 7,300 miles away in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, waiting for the same videoconference to start.

G. Asenath Andrews, Principal of Detroit’s Ferguson Academy for Young Women, described how when the videoconference began, her students saw teenagers just like themselves on the screen. “We were transported across the world. It was extraordinary; great for the kids on both continents.”

An exciting and unusual bond connected the two groups: urban gardening. The students from Detroit grow vegetables and raise animals on a two-acre farm next to their inner-city school; when not tending their crops, the youth in Ethiopia, participants in the Urban Gardens Program for HIV-Affected Women and Children, go to school, care for their families, or simply rest from the effects of HIV/AIDS.

The digital dialogue was a highlight of “Beyond Urban Gardens: Meeting the Growing Needs of Ethiopia’s Urban Population,” a November 16–17 conference in Addis Ababa that drew more than 300 urban gardeners and government and nongovernmental officials. The Urban Gardens Program, a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)-funded project implemented by DAI, hosted the event, at which urban agriculture—inner-city and suburban farming designed to improve food security, livelihoods, health, and urban greening—emerged as a priority for African cities and others coping with urban overcrowding.

The 90-minute teleconference was organized and hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Addis Ababa, which worked with The Greening of Detroit, an organization founded in 1989 to reforest Detroit’s neighborhoods, to identify Ferguson Academy as a dialogue partner for the Ethiopian gardeners.

Despite their common bonds, the participating Americans and Ethiopians discovered stark differences. At Detroit’s Ferguson Academy, where some vegetable beds are elevated for the convenience of expecting moms, and where classrooms and childcare are co-located, there is ample water for growing crops, and food is grown as a supplement to meals and for resale; the Ethiopians, who endure severe water shortages, grow food they depend on for sustenance, selling what they can if they have extra.

“The context in both situations was so out of the imagination of any of the kids on either side,” said Nancy Russell, the Urban Gardens Program Chief of Party and a longtime director of community reproductive health programs. “The Detroit girls asked if there were fast food restaurants in Ethiopia. They were surprised there were none, and that these kids did not really even know about restaurants.

“The Detroit girls asked our kids what they wanted to do when they finished school, and then ours asked the same questions. The kids on both sides had lots of dreams for the future.”

The young people discussed crops, growing seasons, water issues, and HIV/AIDS, among other topics, and hoped for further contact, though the Ethiopian students made clear their access to the internet is very limited.

After the videoconference, Andrews and her students in Detroit continued to talk about their conversation with the Ethiopian group, even brainstorming on ways to tackle the water issues facing Ethiopia’s urban gardeners. “We talked about what our mission would be if we went [to Ethiopia], and what the criteria would be for the girls to go,” Andrews said. “It made me remember why I love teaching, basking in their excitement and their discoveries. It was wonderful—one of those stellar days.”

The Addis Ababa-based Urban Gardens Program since September 2008 has enlisted more than 5,000 households and 15,000 orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) in six cities into the program. The neighborhood and school-based gardens use irrigation drip-kits that conserve water and make the gardens easier to tend for AIDS sufferers too weak to perform hard labor, and for OVCs who need to spend their days in school. In its first three years, the program intends to reach a total of 24,000 new households and 84,000 women and OVCs.

Ferguson Academy, which has operated an urban garden for 24 years, serves pregnant teens and young mothers from difficult situations who aspire to a high school diploma, college, and better lives for themselves and their children. Teens who struggle or drop out at Detroit’s traditional city schools are buoyed by Ferguson’s focus on mother and child, its parenting and family classes that supplement traditional coursework, and a support network that includes volunteer babysitters from local community groups.