PBS News Hour : January 7, 2025 – PBS News Hour full episode | Cascade PBS
For those interested in how the USAID funds international development, a current segment in PBS News Hour will be of interest. I rarely watch PBS Newshour but last evening I did have time and found this informative story about USAID. Apparently, the agency does most of its work through big US companies that seem to focus more on inputs and activities rather than results. One section of the story gave examples of an alternative approach where funds were provided directly to local partners who provided much better results.
Sidebar: The assignment I had some years ago with one of these big US firms did indeed engage with local entities including a local training center, private sector entities, and schools. There were positive results. So not all USAID projects are alike.
In Canada, I think we do better with implementing agencies like CUSO providing volunteers to strengthen local NGOs, many of which are supporting projects on gender equality and improved livelihoods for women. (Don’t forget to keep monitoring CUSO International’s website for current employment opportunities)
Similarly, CATALYSTE+ (formerly CESO), is providing senior professionals the opportunity to give back by offering their advice on short missions to host organizations that actually help develop the assignment’s terms of reference. I just submitted an application to CATALYSTE+ and will describe that process and its result in an upcoming post.
Meanwhile, I look forward to seeing the next two episodes of the 3 part USAID story on the PBS Newshour…
