A Few Concluding Thoughts on Our Trip
August 1st, 2008 at 12:50 pm | posted by David.Lane
All of us here at ONE are about to escape DC’s infamous August heat and take a much-needed week of vacation. But before we go, I wanted to share a few concluding thoughts about our visit to Rwanda.
I think our delegation returned from Rwanda inspired by what can be achieved and encouraged by America’s role in supporting that country’s groundbreaking efforts. We were fortunate to have such a diverse and distinguished group together for such a concentrated period of time - a rare thing these days. The group chemistry was great and we generated a number of valuable discussions.
Here are a few of the important ideas I think our delegation took away from their experience in Rwanda:
First and foremost, we were able to witness firsthand the remarkable resilience of the African spirit and the unwavering commitment to creating a better future. Here in the U.S., we are accustomed to reading about African failures-famine, conflict and, yes, genocide. But Rwanda is a clear example of how African countries are rebuilding and moving forward aggressively and progressively. We saw how central women have been to this rebuilding process, from governing and reviving the economy to reconciling and healing the nation. This leadership and commitment is translating into dramatic progress in the fight against poverty and disease.
Second, we saw that partnership with the United States and other donors is critical to realizing Rwanda’s vision for a healthy, well-educated and prosperous country. This is true across Africa, where American partnership and support has helped catalyze and consolidate gains in poverty reduction.
Third, we came away mindful that the sustainability of our investments in the region depends on the strength of Africa’s underlying delivery systems. These systems include a need for reliable, low cost energy and infrastructure, as well as human resource capacity, faster growth of exportable goods and increased regional trade. I believe this underscored the importance of long-term U.S. investments in areas like infrastructure and education.
Fourth, and in a similar vein, we heard repeatedly about the importance of achieving more efficiency in the delivery of U.S. assistance. U.S. programs are often implemented in a way that works around host governments rather than through them. But in the case of well-governed countries like Rwanda, we were told the U.S. should consider providing more flexible financing, including experimenting with direct budget support. Providing such support, in conjunction with stringent transparency and accountability measures, would ensure that more aid is used for its intended purpose. It would also have the benefit of strengthening the government’s ability to manage and coordinate donor investments.
And lastly, while Rwanda is truly an exceptional country, it’s important to remember that Rwanda is certainly not the only success story in the region. Africa is a continent on the move and what we saw in Rwanda is being replicated elsewhere in places like Ghana, Liberia and Tanzania. Our challenge is to help replicate these successes everywhere.
These are just some of the impressions I want to leave you with. Thanks for following along.
-David Lane
August 1st, 2008 at 2:19 pm
Actually sorry to see it come to an end. . .
It’s been so informative and perspective shifting to follow.
Thanks to everyone involved for bringing it to us with such clarity.
August 1st, 2008 at 4:18 pm
I too was sorry to see the trip come to an end. I felt as if I learned something new about Rwanda every day just from reading the blogs posted on One. One has impressed upon me how each of us can help our fellow human beings. I am so proud of One and the people who have worked so hard for the organization. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:16 am
srilanka latest news
August 2nd, 2008 at 1:21 am
Excellent Blog
………………………..
Emma
srilanka latest news
August 4th, 2008 at 3:12 am
i agree with you ginny d, a certain sadness in seeing the trip come to an end, as with you, my heart was there with them. thanx David for going on our behalf, for taking an amazing and diverse group of people with you, and surely bringing back a fresh and relevant list of what we ONE members can do, especially with the upcoming 111th congress.
i will miss these blog moments from thia team that traveled, yet i know that the ONE staff members don’t rest on their laurels and will be in flight to africa and sharing the experiences with us again, before we know it. of that i am sure.
i for one can hardly wait.
staying close,
sammi in seattle
August 8th, 2008 at 9:42 am
Please look at www.mcc.gov
The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is a United States Government corporation designed to work with some of the poorest countries in the world. Established in January 2004, MCC is based on the principle that aid is most effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom and investments in people. MCC’s mission is to reduce global poverty through the promotion of sustainable economic growth.
August 8th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
Thanks Joyce for coming into the ONE blog and voicing your support for the MCC. You are completely correct in your appraisal of this AWESOME program to help eliminate extreme poverty in our world.
In the past, when I brought up my support for the MCC (one of the main programs of the U.S. government that ONE supports), I was met with very rude comments from another poster. I’m glad that this has not happened to you.
Have a beautiful day, everyONE! Please don’t let it get away!
ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE - debbie
www.mpwn-uganda.org
August 26th, 2008 at 8:23 am
Thank you for keeping us informed about what is going on and for making sure our leaders know what needs to be done. A person cannot visit those places and not be humbled by the conditions they see and the heroism of the people they meet who live on the border of hopelessness every day…without giving up.
for the children.