QDDR a Bold Step Forward to Ensure Strong and Effective U.S. Civilian Power

New Report Calls for Sweeping Efforts to Elevate U.S. Development and Diplomacy

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15, 2010 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- This morning Secretary of State Hillary Clinton released the much anticipated Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR), signaling a more coordinated approach to U.S. foreign policy with a clear focus on results and transparency.  

After more than a year of study and review of development and diplomatic programs from across the federal government, the QDDR makes specific recommendations for how U.S. civilian-led resources can make a more effective impact on our national and economic security.

"Having participated in several Quadrennial Defense Reviews, I believe the discussions and interactions between the major policy makers and leaders were critical in helping to develop a common outlook and way forward," said USGLC National Security Advisory Council Co-Chair General Michael Hagee, USMC (Ret.).  "The Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review adds a critical element toward a cohesive, integrated national security strategy."

"The QDDR lays out a coordinated plan to meet the global challenges we face as a nation in the 21st century," says USGLC Board Member Ambassador Mark Green. "It builds upon the efforts begun under the Bush Administration to recognize the critical role of our civilian agencies and guide our development and diplomacy programs to become more effective and efficient."

"The QDDR seeks to bring smart business practices that have been successful in the private sector to government," said Bill Lane, USGLC Co-President, and Washington Director of Caterpillar.  "Corporate leaders know U.S. development and diplomacy efforts help build strong markets for U.S. goods overseas, and this QDDR will help to enhance the effectiveness of these programs."

"I have seen many exhaustive reviews during my time in both Congress and the Cabinet, and while no one may ever remember the acronym, the QDDR will have a tremendous impact in ensuring our civilian programs are more effective and efficient," said USGLC Chairman Dan Glickman.  "I applaud Secretary Clinton and Administrator Shah for their effort to ensure results and transparency."

Significant highlights of the QDDR include:  Increasing the resources and human capacity for State and USAID; reinstituting budget and planning authority for USAID; and putting in place monitoring and evaluation efforts with clear metrics and a guarantee of program transparency.  

"The QDDR represents a bold step towards implementing a smart power foreign policy by elevating our civilian power and ensuring effective, results-driven programs," said USGLC Executive Director Liz Schrayer.  "This review can help ensure international affairs programs continue to make a critical impact in advancing our national security and economic interests."  

As part of the USGLC's Impact '08 initiative, a bipartisan working group of foreign policy experts called on the next administration to conduct a Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review.  This is an essential step in modernizing our civilian-led tools of global engagement.

The U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (www.usglc.org) is a broad-based influential network of 400 businesses and NGOs; national security and foreign policy experts; and business, faith-based, academic and community leaders in all 50 states who support a smart power approach of elevating diplomacy and development alongside defense in order to build a better, safer world.

SOURCE U.S. Global Leadership Coalition