December 7, 2021
1:00 p.m. Keynote Speaker Samantha Power, Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility – Moving Beyond the Rhetoric President Biden and his Cabinet have reinforced the significance of DEIA issues in their policies, pronouncements, federal hiring initiatives and Executive Orders to an extent not seen in prior administrations. CIDC members have been equally focused on these issues at both the company and community level. Our panel will address how the Department of State, USAID, and the implementing partner community are approaching the myriad aspects of DEIA implementation in the development community.
2:45 p.m. Networking Break
4:10 p.m. Guest Speaker: Krish O'Mara Vignarajah, President & CEO, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS)
Views from the Hill: Congress and International Development Congressional oversight and funding of international development has waxed and waned over the years. The Biden administration signaled its intent to reverse recent lower budget requests for foreign operations at both the State Department and USAID with a robust request. However, pressures from an evenly divided Senate and narrow majority in the House, coupled with domestic economic and foreign policy disagreements are beginning to make themselves felt. Our panel will examine what options are available for the White House as it seeks to navigate these increasingly turbulent political waters.