The Hunger Project’s Executive VP, John Coonrod, has moved from New York City to Washington, DC to strengthen THP’s seat at the table of international development. Each week, John sends us insight into issues of health, policy, human rights and more by way of the Washington Weekly.
Getting Ready for the New
A New Washington
No matter who wins the United States presidential election, much of the development scene will shift dramatically in January 2013. Hillary Clinton will step down as Secretary of State, dozens of new members of Congress will arrive and hundreds of political appointees in key offices will change.
Every two years, InterAction factors in these changes and creates a “FABB: Foreign Assistance Briefing Book” that outlines the U.S.-based international nonprofit community’s views on foreign assistance challenges expected to be at the forefront of upcoming political discussions. Research for the most recent edition has begun and, along with many other non-profits, The Hunger Project will be a contributing voice.
The 2011 edition is a great orientation tool for anyone seeking to understand development policy.
New Language
In the wake of recent G8 and G20 commitments to nutrition, country-led development investments have begun to be labeled either “nutrition specific” or “nutrition sensitive.” Yet, it seems there is a lack of shared understanding for what these terms mean. The Hunger Project and several key players in the DC area have recently met to attempt to reach a verbal consensus. Though important, these changes in conversation can cause industry-wide confusion – making clear, cooperative communication more important than ever. We will keep you apprised of this conversation.
A New World Food Day
Several organizations, including The Hunger Project, have joined together and undertaken efforts to make this year’s World Food Day more wide reaching and collaborative than ever before! In light of 2012 being the International Year of Cooperatives, this year’s World Food Day theme is: Agricultural Cooperatives – The key to feeding the world.
Learn more about how you can take part in World Food Day and let us know if you’re planning an event!
New Publications
– Post-2015 Process by The UN Development Group. A report on accelerating progress toward the MDGs and the issues for advancing the UN development agenda beyond 2015.
– Country Ownership by The Global Health Initiative (GHI). A paper detailing a strategy for transitioning development initiatives to country ownership.
– Not new, but worth the reread before the newest edition is released: 2011 Foreign Assistance Briefing Book by InterAction. An outline of the U.S.-based international nonprofit community’s views on foreign assistance challenges expected to be at the forefront of upcoming political discussions.
Upcoming events
September 27 – Secretary Clinton will host an event during the UN General Assembly on the role of civil society
September 27 – Meeting of the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Lead Group during the UN General Assembly
September 30 – The original National Girl Child Day co-founded by THP-Bangladesh, now incorporated into the official UN International Day of the Girl Child
October 11 – International Day of the Girl Child
October 13 – THP Annual Fall Gala on the occasion of our 35th anniversary – Making the Vision Real
October 16 – World Food Day
October 17 – International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
October 17-19 – Borlaug Dialogue as a part of the World Food Prize
November 25-December 10 – 16 Days Against Gender Violence
