USAID Marks 50 Years of Promoting Peace and Prosperity

Tuesday, November 01, 2011

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) was born out of a spirit of progress, innovation and a reflection of America’s values, character and a fundamental belief in doing the right thing.  President John F. Kennedy recognized the need to unite development in to a single agency to maximize expertise.  In 1961, USAID was created.  Since that time, USAID has worked to further America's foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world. Spending less than one-half of 1 percent of the federal budget, USAID works around the world to achieve these goals.