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Hello from Zambia! I'm here to see first-hand how our
nation's development and diplomacy programs are advancing
America's interests - and I'm really impressed.


These stories are powerful - which is why this week the USGLC is
launching our second annual edition of our digital storytelling
platform, the Global Impact Project. These stories showcase the extraordinary impact
of how businesses and NGOs are partnering with the public sector to
make transformational change in the developing world.


Whether it's preventing the next Ebola or getting 100+ million
people access to electricity - these partnerships are creating
impact, driving change, and making a world of difference!

Explore the Stories: http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=PVz6y1hHvfL1TVTr3RZFyA

(You can get the latest written report as a PDF here too.)

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=npjJc4uZ2kgGCLgNlo9w0g


A few more items to report down below in this week's GLOBAL GAB
- from USAID deploying resources to the Venezuelan border to the
Acting Defense Secretary's comment on the new Women's
Global Development and Prosperity initiative, saying that he hopes it
will put him "out of business."

And more to share soon from Zambia.

Best,

Liz
Liz Schrayer, USGLC

THE GLOBAL GAB: SecDef speaks up, Cardinal Dolan, plus a brand new
report
February 13, 2019


SHUTDOWN CLOCK. Members of Congress appear to have clinched a
tentative deal to prevent the government from shutting down for what
would be the second time in 2 months. If the president signs the final
package and a shutdown is averted, the current intel suggests that the
administration will release its initial Fiscal Year 2020 budget
proposal the week of March 11th - which we expect to mirror past
proposals to dramatically cut the International Affairs Budget.


VENEZUELA DISPATCH. This past Friday, the first delivery of U.S.
humanitarian assistance arrived at the Tienditas Bridge at the
Colombia-Venezuela border. The delivery - led by U.S. Ambassador
to Colombia Kevin Whitaker alongside USAID - was only a few
miles away from thousands who desperately need the lifesaving support,
but so far the Venezuelan authorities have not accepted it. Back in
Washington, USAID Administrator Mark Green recently met with the new
Charge d'Affaires to the U.S. who the U.S. government has
declared to be the country's legitimate representative to
Washington.


W-GDP. With no fewer than 4 cabinet secretaries, the National Security
Advisor, agency heads, 5 Members of Congress, leading CEOs, and more
than a dozen women leaders from developing countries, the
administration launched its Women's Global Development and
Prosperity Initiative last week - known as W-GDP. With a goal to
reach 50 million women by 2025, Ivanka Trump wrote in the Wall Street
Journal: "By investing in women, we are investing in a future in
which countries can support themselves by unleashing the potential of
their own people."

* Acting Secretary of Defense Patrick Shanahan told the Oval
Office crowd: "Economic stability is good defense policy.
The seeds of flawed ideology are borne from the absence of
economic security. I'm hoping, Ivanka, your initiative
will put me out of business."

* Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) stated: "I look forward to
working with Ivanka Trump and Administrator Green at USAID to
ensure that U.S. foreign assistance is particularly focused on
supporting and empowering women around the globe."

* Building on the Women's Entrepreneurship and Economic
Empowerment Act, Members of Congress that joined the W-GDP
launch included Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Risch;
Senators Boozman, Coons, and Sullivan; and House Foreign Affairs
Ranking Member McCaul and Rep. Meadows, chairman of the Freedom
Caucus.

NATIONAL PRAYER BREAKFAST. Speaking out on FOXNews.com,

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=PnAAs-qbvmNDwW0tUlhDvw

Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Rev. Sammy Rodriguez weighed in ahead of
the annual faith gathering last week on why it's critical for
America to keep up the fight against global poverty. The leaders
- who both led invocations at the president's inauguration
- called U.S. foreign assistance "among the most
cost-effective and compassionate commitments our government
makes" while urging the president, the administration, and
Members of Congress "to fully fund and support these critical
programs that save and celebrate life."


MUNICH MATTERS. Vice President Pence, Speaker Pelosi, Acting Secretary
Shanahan, Senate Armed Services and Foreign Relations Chairmen Inhofe
and Risch, and Senators Graham, Whitehouse and Wicker are all slated
to represent the U.S. at the annual Munich Security Conference at the
end of the week along with many others. Ivanka Trump is also joining
the U.S. delegation and speaking on the nexus of women and conflict.


BRASSTOPS. America's regional combatant commanders are currently
making the rounds on Capitol Hill. One of the most recent to testify
was SOUTHCOM Commander, Admiral Craig Faller, who told the Senate
Armed Services Committee last week that collaboration with the State
Department and USAID was central to "low cost, high impact civic
action projects that help partner nations and extend governance to
vulnerable communities." Also testifying this week: Admiral
Philip Davidson of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.


WORLD BANK PICK. David Malpass, currently Under Secretary for
International Affairs at Treasury, has been named as the
administration's pick to lead the World Bank. The U.S.
traditionally holds the Bank slot, but nominees for the post will be
accepted through March 14th and up to 3 candidates could advance to a
vote by the World Bank Board of Directors. Widely seen as a skeptic of
the Bank, Malpass has drawn criticism from development experts and
members of Congress, including Speaker Pelosi.


WASHBURNE BACK TO DALLAS. Ray Washburne, the President and CEO of the
Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), announced his March
1st resignation, returning to his family in Dallas after successfully
leading the charge to ensure the passage of the BUILD Act that will
establish an enhanced U.S. development finance agency. Expect
Executive Vice President David Bohigian to take charge.


FREEDOM HOUSE. In their annual report - "Democracy in
Retreat" - the independent watchdog marked the 13th
consecutive year of decline in global freedom. One positive note: 2018
saw more countries with large improvements than in 2017, including
Angola, Armenia, Ethiopia, and Malaysia.

http://action.usglc.org/site/R?i=kgul3YhBDxkQ5rWAu95DIA


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