By taking concrete steps to evolve our role and shift power to local groups, global development organizations can be a positive force in locally led development. At the international NGO where I work, we are learning that it takes internal transformation, aligning practice with purpose, and being an active listener — all backed by commitments and targets — to make these changes.
For international development to be effective and relevant in a changing, multipolar world, it must transform.
USAID, the United States Agency for International Development, under Administrator Samantha Power, has become a leading force in transforming the field by focusing on locally led development. Building on past U.S. administrations’ initiatives, the underlying theme has been consistent: Put local groups in the lead of their own development. This time feels different, however, as Power and USAID have increased the emphasis, upped the urgency, and made concrete plans and targets.
About the author
Paul Weisenfeld@PaulWeisenfeld
Paul Weisenfeld is executive vice president for international development at RTI International, a global research institute and leading international development organization. Before joining RTI, he served as a foreign service officer for the U.S. Agency for International Development, achieving the highest rank of career minister in the Senior Foreign Service. He is currently chair of USAID’s Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid and serves in the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and other boards and advisory committees.
