NYT Op-Ed: MCC is Central Tool for Development


Dec 22nd, 2008 3:08 PM UTC
By Beth Adler

Today the New York Times ran an op-ed advocating for the incoming administration to adopt the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) as a central tool for development. The article explains that “The long-term engagement with the United States that is required for any country to earn a Millennium Challenge Corporation compact provides a platform for the kind of robust diplomacy that President-elect Obama has embraced. As he seeks to adapt American foreign assistance to a transformed world, one decisive step he can take is to signal his strong support of the corporation’s approach to global development.”

The piece, authored by the four non-government board members of the MCC (Lorne Craner, Bill Frist, Kenneth Hackett, and Alan Patricof), posits that the kind of aid MCC delivers – long-term aid given based on a clear set of indicators for projects defined by the recipient country, in which the recipient country takes responsibility for their development – works best. It also cites examples of the ‘MCC effect’; the idea that countries who are not yet compact-eligible will work independently to better their indicators due to the incentive of becoming eligible for large-scale support and funding.

We’ll continue to keep you updated about the position of the MCC within the new administration.

-Beth Adler, ONE Policy Analyst

TAGS: MCC, Policy News, Sen. Bill Frist M.D.

  1. Debbie Ksays: Dec 23rd, 2008 3:55 PM EST

    December 23, 2008 at 3:55 pm

    Great editorial from some very knowledgeable people on what the POSITIVE aspects of the MCC can be when it is simply allowed the funding levels necessary to make it efficient and effective.

    Let’s hope that “the powers that be” in DC next year are paying attention to information such as this.

    Thanks for posting it, Beth. Best Wishes to everyONE for the Holiday Season and in the New Year!

    ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE – debbie :)
    http://www.myspace.com/mulago

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