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Global Washington Gives Recommendations to Improve Foreign Aid and Development

Senators Cantwell and Murray requested recommendations last fall from Global Washington, a Seattle association of 120 groups that work in global development, on how to change and improve policy for foreign assistance.  Senators Cantwell and Murray attended a forum at Seattle University to discuss development issues. 

Global Washington recommended that the US develop a national strategy to clarify the goals of foreign aid, make trade policy consistent with those goals, and develop an easier process for small businesses to participate and support international education programs.  They recommended that foreign aid be aligned with United Nations Millennium Development Goals, that USAID have autonomy from the departments of State and Defense, and that aid be based on priorities of local recipients and proportionally targeted to countries that are the poorest and most in need.

Washington is home to about 200 non-profits working on global development issues in 144 countries, including global health, clean water and sanitation, food security, poverty and education.

For the full recommendations from Global Washington, click here