Global Washington Releases Recommendations for Improving U.S. Global Development Efforts

SEATTLE, July 6 /PRNewswire/ -- Global Washington today will release its policy paper Global Development through Aid, Partnerships, Trade and Education: Recommendations from Global Washington, which provides recommendations for improving the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance. The recommendations draw on Washington's status as an international leader in the growing global development sector and were prepared at the request of Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.). A panel of local business, NGO and academic leaders will present the recommendations to Sen. Cantwell at an event hosted by Seattle University.

The paper is the first-ever regional perspective on improving the effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance and represents the uniquely informed perspective of Washington state's diverse and extensive global development community. More than 45 experts from Global Washington's member organizations – including from public, private, non-profit and academic sectors – contributed to the paper.

"We hope that this paper and recommendations not only serve to improve U.S. policy, but also demonstrate the important role that Washington state can play as the home of some of the world's most influential thought leaders on global development," said Bill Clapp, founder and board president of Global Washington.

Seattle University, one of the academic organizations that contributed to the recommendations, will host the official launch of the paper in the Pigott Auditorium at 11:30 a.m. Sen. Cantwell and USAID Chief Innovation Officer Maura O'Neill will give remarks. Seattle University President Stephen Sundborg, S.J., will welcome participants.

"Washington state is an international leader in global development. I am proud of the hard work of Washingtonians to make the world a better place. While working to solve global development challenges, they also are making an important contribution to our state," said Sen. Cantwell. "I look forward to taking this policy paper and recommendations to our nation's capital to strengthen foreign aid and assistance policies, and I will continue to be a strong supporter of the important work being done by the more than 200 organizations in Washington involved in global development."

Moderated by Clapp, the panel will include:

• Dr. Maura O'Neill, chief innovation officer at USAID
• Steve Crane, president of Crane International Inc.
• Dr. Stephen E. Hanson, vice provost of the Office of Global Affairs at University of Washington
• Scott Jackson, vice president of external relations at PATH
• Jennifer Potter, president and CEO at Initiative for Global Development

For more information on Global Washington and the policy paper, please visit www.globalwa.org.

For more information on Seattle University's commitment to global engagement, please visit www.seattleu.edu/learning_teaching/international_engagement.

About Global Washington

Global Washington is a broad-based membership association that promotes Washington state as a leader in global development. Its members from across the state include some of the world's most respected companies and organizations engaged in this field. Global Washington offers programs and services that enhance the global impact of our member organizations and advocates on global development issues.

SOURCE Global Washington