2010
Summer Highlights
For aspiring TED fellows and anyone interested in global development, check out the September 20 TEDxChange webcast marking the 10 year anniversary of the Millennium Development goals. Presented in conjunction with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this collection of inspired thinkers and doers will discuss all that has been accomplished in past decade and--more importantly--how we can overcome the tremendous challenges that remain in poverty, child mortality, and disease. More information on “attending” the event can be found at TED.com.
August 10 – Finding bipartisan agreement on the need to prioritize college preparedness for American students, the release of the “Achieving the Possible: What Americans Think About the College- and Career-Ready Agenda” survey reinforces a belief in the importance of having college-focused programs available to all students regardless of household income. Read the full report here
August - Asserting the administration’s commitment to innovation in global development, USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah joined leaders from across the state at a forum hosted by Global Washington on how Washington’s dynamic social organizations can continue to be drivers of catalytic change where it is needed most. The gathering brought Dr. Shah together with WSU, Microsoft, PATH, the Gates Foundation, and Washington State Congressional Delegation to discuss the role of partnership and efficient use of resources to realize the best possible outcome for families worldwide.
Visit the CARE Maternal Health Learning Tour website to learn how CARE is using first hand experience and in the field learning to improve maternal and newborn health at the local, national and global levels.
July - Global Washington releases “Global Development through Aid, Partnerships, Trade and Education: Recommendations from Global Washington”, a policy paper featuring a fresh perspective and recommendations to improve U.S. global development policy.
Spring Highlights
May 25 - ONE released the 2010 DATA Report with topline findings that (1) led by U.S., collective commitments yield real results, but stronger focus on accountability needed going forward, and (2) bold new development strategy needed from September 2010 Millennium Development Goals Summit, putting good governance and fair economic growth at the core.
May 19 - Ben Affleck appeared on NBC Nightly News’ “Making a Difference” series, where he spoke about the situation in eastern Congo and the severity of the crisis in the region. Watch the segment to learn how the Eastern Congo Initiative is partnering with the people of eastern Congo to raise awareness about the ongoing challenges in the region, and increase the quantity and quality of public and private funding that supports the communities and citizens of eastern Congo.
May 17 – USAID announced the Obama Administration’s new global hunger and food security initiative, Feed the Future. The plan will concentrate on long-term, large-scale investments in a small number of partner countries, and includes support for women as agricultural producers. For more information read the Feed the Future Guide.
March 22 - Actor, director and advocate Ben Affleck announced the launch of the Eastern Congo Initiative (ECI), a new advocacy and grant-making initiative with the mission of supporting the Congolese people through local, community-based approaches to create a sustainable and successful society in the long-troubled region of the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. williamsworks is honored to have partnered with Ben over the last three years in the design and launch of ECI. As the organization embarks rapidly on its work, Whitney Williams will continue to serve as the Managing Director. For more information, visit www.easterncongo.org.
March 22 - Water Advocates and the National Geographic Society co-hosted an event in D.C. to mark World Water Day, which was established in 1992 by the UN to focus attention on the world’s water crises, and the solutions to address it. The gathering, entitled “World Water Day 2010: Uniting for Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation” highlighted new commitments in water and sanitation by the US government, philanthropic foundations, corporations, NGOs, civic organizations, faith-based organizations and universities. Click here to view the keynote address by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.