AIDemocracy.org | United States

USAID announces Reform Agenda, early outcome of QDDR

November 19, 2010 by Priyanka Joseph

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 18, 2010 Press Office: 202-712-4320 Public Information: 202-712-4810 www.usaid.gov WASHINGTON, DC - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has embarked on an ambitious reform effort, USAID FORWARD, to change the way the Agency does business-with new partnerships, an emphasis on innovation and a relentless focus on results. It gives USAID the opportunity to transform its agency and unleash its full potential to achieve high-impact development. Announced by USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Hunger Tagged With: aid, diplomacy, education, media, sustainable development, technology, trade, United States, USAID, war

U.S. has great potential in new Muslim community envoy

July 8, 2009 by lesliewelsh

The United States has taken a big step in U.S.-Muslim relations… we hope. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton appointed the very first State Department envoy to Muslim communities—Farah Pandith. [1] This follows President Obama’s promising speech in Cairo, Egypt which was lauded by Muslims, Europeans, and many Americans. People continue to have high hopes in this administration's dedication to reach out to the naitonal and worldwide Muslim communities. For what it's worth, the following is my wish list for Ms. Pandith; … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Security Tagged With: Barack Obama, democracy, diplomacy, Hillary Clinton, United States, US-Muslim World Relations

Students Lead the Cause for Green Campuses

April 30, 2009 by Francisco Ramos

In every generation there is a social movement that captivates the minds of the youth and challenges the establishment. A generation ago the battle was for social justice, today the youth fight for the global environment. On college campuses throughout the United States, from the gates of Cornell to the waves of San Francisco, universities have begun to create sustainability committees in an attempt to “Go Green.” These committees were formulated by the growing demand of their students to take a proactive role in greenerizing their institutions. … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Climate Change, Hunger Tagged With: Campus Initiatives, Climate Change, global development, United States, youth leaders

A New Venture in Turbulent Times

March 19, 2009 by Francisco Ramos

Anyone with a business mindset can appreciate how a turbulous market can give rise to niche venture. Last June crude oil hit an all time high at $126.33 per barrel. For the same month in 2007, a barrel sold for $59.25. With the worst energy crisis in 30 years, Americans were forced to rethink their lifestyles, and with that a new niche was created. As American auto companies struggle to stay afloat, foreign automakers are importing their progressively efficient vehicles into the U.S. Starting as early as next year, three import vehicles will make … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Climate Change Tagged With: oil, United States

Mutually Assured Destruction v. 2.0

March 2, 2009 by Chris Scullin

Much has been made in recent weeks about what I like to call MAD 2.0--this time between the U.S. and China. Of course, the new MAD is not nearly as vindictive as the previous phase of international relations between the U.S. and the S.U. It involves no bombs, posturing, or division of the world into spheres of influence (yet). No, the new MAD is predicated on a simple fact: each country controls the other country's financial system. The Financial Times synthesized the situation rather succinctly. China has made a policy of holding substantial … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Security Tagged With: China, economy, financial crisis, foreign policy, United States

Our Culture of Consumption

February 20, 2009 by Francisco Ramos

Sitting in a Starbucks I sipped my venti Iced green tea as I watched patrons order their laundry list of beverages. I wonder if our ancestors could ever imagine the luxury of having our level of consumption. We live our lives, unknowingly unaware of how much we actually consume and how much we throw away. An American produces 1,584 pounds of waste per year while the world average is 330 pounds per person per year. As a country, we consume 1/5 of the world’s 500 billion plastic bags that are produced annually. The United States consumes 350% … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Climate Change Tagged With: Climate Change, recycling, United States

U.S. to Launch Comparative Effectiveness Research with Stimulus

February 16, 2009 by robertbonacci

On Tuesday, Barack Obama is expected to sign into law the $787 billion economic stimulus package in Colorado according to this AP press release. With this action, the bill will bring many new spending initiatives along with the tax breaks negotiated during the House and Senate conference sessions. As expected, health care in the U.S. will receive a hopeful boost from this economic stimulus package. A couple important areas that will receive this new source of funding include $10 billion for the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and $1.1 billion for … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog, Sex and Justice Tagged With: Barack Obama, healthcare, United States

Is Nuclear a Viable Source for America?

February 5, 2009 by Francisco Ramos

diablo canyon, California nuclear power plant

Undeniably, we live in a time that will be dissected by future generations. There was a food shortage that caused riots in the streets of poor nations, a global financial re-leverage, and an energy crisis that slowed a nation for the first time in decades; all of which threatens the growth of globalization, as countries seek interdependence. The United States government has created a stimulus package to combat these troubled times. One of the provisions is to make our country more energy independent using renewable resources, clean coal, and … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: Climate Change, France, United States

Dust Bowl of 2009

January 29, 2009 by Francisco Ramos

Nearly eighty years ago the United States experienced a decade long drought that altered the course of American history. Now we live in a time with a drought severe enough to alter the history of the world. According to a Vanguard interview on Current TV, with the United Nations Secretary General, Ban Ki-Moon, "there are fifty countries with nearly 2.7 billion people, who do not have access to water." In a world where our differences are shrinking, so is the most valuable resource for our survival, our fresh water supply. According to the United … [Read more...]