Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review
Overview
- The QDDR aims to strengthen and elevate diplomacy and development as key pillars of U.S. foreign policy. The end goals are:
- Unified smart power;
- Clear State and USAID roles and missions; and
- Tangible organizational change leading to excellence in performance.
- We view the QDDR as an opportunity for collaboration among stakeholders. Check back soon for an opportunity to comment on the issues.
Background
The U.S. Government faces a wide array of complex global challenges. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton launched the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review (QDDR) in July 2009 with the goal of strengthening and elevating diplomacy and development cooperation as key pillars of U.S. foreign policy. The QDDR effort arises in the context of broader shifts in the world, many of which go to the very core of how we define and practice both diplomacy and development cooperation.
Through aligning policy, strategy, authorities, and resources, the QDDR will provide the blueprint for our diplomatic and development efforts. The end goals are unified smart power; clear, mutually reinforcing State and USAID roles and missions; and tangible organizational change leading to excellence in performance. By using all of the tools of American power, we can pave the way for shared peace, progress, and prosperity.
Phase 1: Trends, Challenges, Opportunities
Phase 1 of the process was a strategic thinking exercise involving State, USAID, other U.S. Government agencies, and external stakeholders. Through an analytically rigorous process, it identified the outcomes and capabilities of State and USAID across the spectrum of diplomacy and development. The results of the review are being used as a basis for discussion to solidify recommendations in Phase 2.
Phase 1 focused on key global trends that impact how we will practice diplomacy and development over the next 10 years. Working groups analyzed roles, missions, challenges, opportunities, desired outcomes, baseline capabilities, and gaps related to: 1) building a global architecture of cooperation; 2) leading and supporting whole of government solutions; 3) investing in the building blocks of stronger societies; 4) preventing and responding to crises and conflicts; and 5) building operational and resource platforms for success. Cross-cutting themes included performance measurement, partnerships, and gender integration.
Phase 2: Priorities, Impacts, Plans
On the basis of the Phase 1 analysis, QDDR leadership produced a manageable set of priorities that include: bilateral, regional, multilateral, and private sector engagement; State, USAID, and broader interagency collaboration; aid effectiveness; innovation; conflict and instability; security assistance; public diplomacy; and institutional reforms in human resources, contracting, strategic planning, budgeting, and performance monitoring and evaluation. Gender integration remains a cross-cutting priority in Phase 2.
Phase 2 is focusing on the operational and institutional changes required to develop recommendations and put them into practice. State-USAID Task Forces are analyzing these issues, soliciting input from stakeholders, narrowing to what can be accomplished in the inaugural QDDR, and making detailed recommendations that will define the way forward.
Final Report
The final report will be issued in September 2010. It will include detailed recommendations for short-, medium-, and long-terms actions that will be specific and feasible and that will build a robust, agile, and flexible foundation on which to achieve our goals. As we implement the QDDR recommendations - some of which are already underway - we will begin the process of more closely aligning policy, processes, and human and financial resources to ensure that State and USAID have the capabilities to meet 21st century foreign policy challenges.
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