25th Anniversary Commemorative Report

Charles MacCormack Board Chair, InterAction President and CEO, Save the Children

To read InterAction’s full 2008 Annual Report please visit www.InterAction.org Opportunities to engage globally have also significantly increased. With CONCORD, Europe’s largest association of NGOs, InterAction helped launch civil society’s first global attempt to create aid effectiveness norms for NGOs. The UN reached out to InterAction to play lead civil society roles in several initiatives and now recognizes our coalition as the key representative of efforts to advance the Millennium Development Goals in the United States. InterAction’s ability to position itself to take advantage of new opportunities led to a number of new partnerships and joint efforts to shape the U.S. government and NGO space. As leaders in the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network, InterAction helped bring an NGO voice to think tank-led foreign assistance reform efforts. By anchoring the concept of a cabinet-level development agency, producing a detailed paper and testifying before Congress, InterAction helped expand the political space for the foreign assistance reform dialogue.

The Year in Review

When I joined InterAction three years ago, I believed my decades as a member CEO had adequately prepared me for the demands of the job. I was wrong. InterAction staff and Board are continually tasked to tailor and refine our responses to external challenges. Our resilience has been instrumental in our remarkable ability to recognize and leverage opportunities in the midst of adversity.

The financial crisis of 2008 rocked world markets, while increased violence, food shortages and natural disasters have pushed the most vulnerable among us closer to peril and led to countless preventable deaths.

During 2008, InterAction was faced with a wide range of new and ongoing challenges and opportunities. Challenges included foreign policy concerns surrounding our members’ humanitarian efforts in Burma, China and Georgia and extensive negotiations over the implementation of USAID’s new Partner Vetting System, with InterAction working closely with members and allies to create a system that is workable for operational NGOs while ensuring no U.S. taxpayer dollars are diverted to terrorism. Through consultations at military command headquarters and appearances at congressional hearings, we continued our efforts to establish appropriate civil-military boundaries.

InterAction Board of Directors 2008-2009 Charles F. MacCormack, Save the Children (Chair) Ritu Sharma Fox, Women Thrive Worldwide (Vice Chair) Amy Coen, Population Action International (Treasurer) Samuel A. Worthington, InterAction (Ex-officio) Kenneth Bacon, Refugees International David Beckmann, Bread for the World Carol Bellamy, World Learning Sekyu Chang, Korean American Sharing Movement Julius Coles, Africare Helene D. Gayle, CARE USA Anne Lynam Goddard, Christian Children’s Fund Lee H. Hamilton, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Neal Keny-Guyer, Mercy Corps Elizabeth Latham, US Committee for UNDP Jo Luck, Heifer International John McCullough, Church World Service Mary Ellen McNish, American Friends Service Committee Daniel E. Pellegrom, Pathfinder International Linda Pfeiffer, INMED Robert Radtke, Episcopal Relief and Development Carter Roberts, World Wildlife Fund George Rupp, International Rescue Committee Zainab Salbi, Women for Women International Ron Sconyers, Physicians for Peace Kathy Spahn, Helen Keller International Richard Stearns, World Vision Tsehaye Teferra, Ethiopian Community Development Council Emily Untermeyer, Amigos de las Americas

It’s been a sobering time, and one that has brought the value of the InterAction coalition into sharp focus. As I conclude my term as Board Chair, it is clear that InterAction has become “action central” for aligning our community’s efforts and increasing its impact.

InterAction Member Organizations CARE Catholic Medical Mission Board Catholic Relief Services Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE) Centre for Development and Population Activities (CEDPA) CHF International ChildFund International Christian Blind Mission (CBM) Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC) Church World Service Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs Communications Consortium Media Center Concern America CONCERN Worldwide U.S., Inc. Congressional Hunger Center Counterpart International Direct Relief International Educational Concerns for Hunger Organization (ECHO) Episcopal Relief & Development Ethiopian Community Development Council Family Care International Floresta The Florida Association of Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas (FAVACA) Food For The Hungry Freedom From Hunger Friends of Liberia Friends of the World Food Program Gifts In Kind International

1984-2009 Samuel A. Worthington President & CEO, InterAction

Still, great challenges remain, and we must mobilize the maximum possible resources to meet them. Time is running out on mitigating the consequences of climate change for those we serve and meeting the UN’s Millennium Development Goal targets set for 2015. If we do not redouble our efforts in the coming years, we will miss this historic opportunity to fight poverty, educate our children, end hunger, achieve gender equality, reduce child and maternal mortality, combat disease and ensure environmental sustainability. • Building strong partnerships with national and international allies. • Leading the humanitarian response to devastating cyclones in southeast Asia and protecting innocent civilians in Afghanistan, Sudan, Gaza and other war zones. • Ensuring that humanitarian issues were integral to the U.S. presidential campaign and pushing for a cabinet-level agency focused on the world’s poor. Working together, InterAction’s 177 member organizations have made progress in a number of critical areas, including:

“Action Central” in a Challenging Time Academy for Educational Development Action Against Hunger USA ActionAid International USA Adventist Development and Relief Agency International (ADRA) African Medical & Research Foundation African Methodist Episcopal Service & Development Agency (AME-SADA) Africare Aga Khan Foundation USA Aid to Artisans Air Serv International Alliance for Peacebuilding Alliance to End Hunger American Friends Service Committee American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee American Jewish World Service American Near East Refugee Aid American Red Cross International Services American Refugee Committee AmeriCares America’s Development Foundation (ADF) Amigos de las Américas Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team Baptist World Alliance B’nai B’rith International BRAC USA Bread for the World Bread for the World Institute Brother’s Brother Foundation Campaign for Innocent Victims in Conflict (CIVIC)



25th Anniversary Commemorative Report

I am proud and humbled to lead this organization into the next 25 years. I look forward to working with members, partners and staff to realize the promise of our new brand — A United Voice for Global Change — to achieve bold change by amplifying our collective voice. We have played a significant role in shaping the discourse of development effectiveness globally and in building broad support for the reform of U.S. foreign aid. We are aware of the need to constantly monitor and respond to the rapidly changing global environment, from climate change to the emergence of new development actors and the continued urgency of ongoing and new crises. We are once again poised to reinvent ourselves and the way we work to remain relevant. Reclaiming our leadership role requires that we not only take risks, but recognize our mistakes and learn from the experiences of others. Millions of Americans entrust InterAction members with their hard-earned money to carry out our lifesaving programs; it is imperative that our engagement in the global relief and development dialogue to help the world’s poor remain undiminished.

Poised to Achieve Bold Change Giving Children Hope Global Health Council Global Links Global Resource Services GOAL USA Goodwill Industries International Habitat for Humanity International Handicap International USA Hands on Worldwide HealthRight International (formerly Doctors of the World- USA) Heart to Heart International Heartland Alliance Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society Heifer International Helen Keller International Holt International Children’s Services Humane Society International (HIS) The Hunger Project Information Management and Mine Action Programs (IMMAP) INMED Partnerships for Children InsideNGO Institute for Sustainable Communities Institute of Cultural Affairs International Fund for Animal Welfare International Aid, Inc. International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC) International Center for Religions and Diplomacy International Center for Research on Women (ICRW) International Crisis Group (ICG) International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

International Housing Coalition (IHC) International Medical Corps International Orthodox Christian Charities (IOCC) International Reading Association International Relief & Development International Relief Teams International Rescue Committee (IRC) International Social Service — United States of America Branch, Inc International Youth Foundation Interplast Islamic Relief USA Joint Aid Management (JAM) Jesuit Refugee Services USA Keystone Humane Services International Korean American Sharing Movement Latter-day Saint Charities Life for Relief and Development Lutheran World Relief Management Sciences for Health (MSH) MAP International Medical Care Development Medical Teams International Mental Disability Rights International Mercy Corps Mercy USA for Aid and Development Minnesota International Health Volunteers Mobility International USA National Association of Social Workers National Council of Negro Women National Peace Corps Association National Wildlife Federation ONE Campaign Operation USA

Opportunity International Oxfam America Pact Pan American Development Foundation PATH Pathfinder International PCI-Media Impact Perkins International Physicians for Human Rights Physicians for Peace Plan USA Population Action International Population Communication Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Hunger Program Project HOPE ProLiteracy Refugees International Relief International Resolve Uganda RESULTS Salvation Army World Service Office Save the Children Seva Foundation SHARE Foundation Society for International Development (SID) Solar Cookers International Stop Hunger Now Support Group to Democracy Transparency International USA Trickle Up Program Unitarian Universalist Service Committee United Methodist Committee on Relief United Way International USA for UNHCR

U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants U.S. Committee for UNDP U.S. Fund for UNICEF Volunteers Association of Bangladesh (VAB) Water Aid America Winrock International Women for Women International Women’s Environment and Development Organization Women Thrive Worldwide World Cocoa Foundation World Concern World Conference of Religions for Peace World Education World Emergency Relief World Hope International World Learning World Neighbors World Rehabilitation Fund World Relief World Resources Institute (WRI) World Society for the Protection of Animals World Wildlife Fund World Vision (as of 6/15/09)

1400 16th Street, NW Suite 210 Washington, DC 20036 202-667-8227 www.InterAction.org

Our First 25 Years InterAction (formally the American Council for Voluntary International Action) was born through the collaboration between a group of development-focused NGOs, Private Agencies in International Development, and a group of NGOs focused on humanitarian assistance, the American Council of Voluntary Agencies for Foreign Service. On October 22, 1984, as the world watched the first BBC television footage of the Ethiopian famine, the Board of Directors for InterAction signed the document that brought the organization into existence. InterAction hit the ground running, acting as an information clearinghouse and accepting public donations, which were passed along to members responding to the famine on the ground. Over the last 25 years, InterAction has achieved and maintained its original goal of being a place where both humanitarian and development NGOs can convene and collaborate; it has grown as an organization and expanded its focus, responding to the expressed needs of its members as well as leading the community into new and necessary areas. Through drafting a set of uniform standards, building on disaster response, branching into civil-military relations and NGO security, partnering with southern NGOs, integrating women into all aspects of development, and expanding the community’s advocacy initiatives, among a multitude of other projects, InterAction 1986: Over 50 Intercontinues to set a bold agenda to help the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Action member organizations form a Task Force on Foreign Aid 1984: InterAction is to prevent crippling founded on October cuts in development 22, the very day that U.S. television begins and humanitarian airing footage of assistance. InterAcstarving children in tion undertakes a Ethiopia. The new substantial campaign organization acts to educate its memas an information bers on the impact of clearinghouse and the Gramm-Rudmanforwards donations Hollings budget-defifrom the American cit reduction formula, public to InterAction members responding which proposes cuts on the ground to the of up to 50 percent in devastating famine. U.S. foreign aid.

1988: InterAction is successful in its efforts to ensure systematic integration of women into all U.S. development assistance programs, reflected in the 1989 foreign operations bill signed by President Reagan. 1990: The Africa Partnership project produces a “Partnership Handbook,” which includes reports and recommendations from the three strands of the project — directors, program and development education.

1992: After extensive advocacy by InterAction and its members, President George H. W. Bush signs the Horn of Africa Recovery and Food Security Act, marking a dramatic shift in U.S. foreign policy and directing the U.S. to increase grassroots development and peacekeeping efforts in the region and renounce the use of military solutions in the region.

1994: Members of InterAction and the Congressional Black Caucus hold a joint press conference, urging President Clinton to address the genocide unfolding in Rwanda and explain to the American people why the United States must respond to the enormous tragedy. The halls of Congress fill with InterAction Forum participants wearing yellow buttons stating, “Reinvent Foreign Aid NOW!” during the second Advocacy Day, which draws triple the number of advocates over the previous year.

1996: The last full year of the Alliance for a Global Community project, a three-year cooperative agreement with USAID through which InterAction provides materials and support to help members and kindred organizations build public awareness of the developing world. 1998: InterAction releases the results of an intensive twoyear study, “There Is a Constituency for Global Engagement,” which redefines the understanding of Americans’ perceptions of international issues. The “Keep US Connected” campaign is launched at Advocacy Day.

2000: Coalition members arrange speaking tours and set up a project in Iowa to educate U.S. presidential candidates about the danger of land mines and the treaty banning them, which the United States is one of only two industrialized nations not to sign. After a year of field trials, the Sphere Project releases its Humanitarian Charter and Minimum Standards in Disaster Response.

2002: The Global Partnership for Effective Assistance campaign kicks off, aiming to increase the overall level and effectiveness of U.S. development and humanitarian assistance. InterAction produces a highly acclaimed 40-minute video and DVD, which highlights for military audiences the independence and impartiality that humanitarian organizations must maintain even in conflict situations.

2004: InterAction’s first diversity conference, “Global Diversity: Ensuring Effectiveness through Inclusion,” helps NGOs broaden their capabilities for advancing diversity and make connections with colleagues doing similar work. InterAction prepares for an initiative on the UN’s Millennium Development Goals by collaborating with the ONE Campaign and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty and facilitating the participation of InterAction members.

2006: InterAction successfully advocates the insertion of poverty reduction as a top-line goal in the administration’s new Strategic Framework for U.S. Foreign Assistance. The organization’s policy brief, A Development Approach to HIV/AIDS, is widely distributed prior to the UN General Assembly Special Session on HIV/AIDS.

2008: The Women, Faith, and Development Alliance, of which InterAction is a co-founder, and aid effectiveness galvanize the NGO community. InterAction begins mapping members’ projects for pandemic preparedness and food security.

Focus on the Future The world has changed dramatically since the United States launched its international development assistance programs over 60 years ago. The current geopolitical era has ushered in a time of interdependent issues that can only be solved by global solutions. Today, much of the debate has shifted from “what is wrong with current policy” to “what is the future of foreign aid.” As we look to the next 25 years, InterAction is committed to a deliberate focus on creating public awareness of the collective impact and effectiveness of the international NGO sector through our core strengths as: A Convener We will build on our power to create strategic alliances between our community and global leaders. Our goal is to move beyond providing input to making sure that the international NGO community has a seat at the table and a voice in global decision-making forums. A Mobilizer Partnering with a broader group of international actors, we will advance a comprehensive people-centered strategy — reducing poverty while achieving economic growth, and creating stable societies to reduce humanitarian crises. A Thought Leader Based on decades of experience, we know that any effective development strategy must have poverty eradication as its underlying goal. We will create a leading position for our community by playing a key role in shaping global dialogue on key issues such as aid effectiveness, U.S. foreign assistance reform and the protection of NGO space.

1985: InterAction’s Membership Committee is created. Before the organization’s first anniversary, President & CEO Peter J. Davies testifies at the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Foreign Operations during FY1986 budget hearings. 1987: InterAction and the Overseas Development Council release the results of a public opinion survey, “What Americans Think: Views on Development and U.S.–Third World Relations,” the first such study since 1972.

1989: The organization initiates a project to develop and implement its PVO Standards, covering member governance, finances, organizational integrity, public outreach, management and human resources practices, program issues and public policy. InterAction launches the Africa Partnership project to enhance the effectiveness of working relationships among African and U.S. NGOs.

1991: A grant from the Rockefeller Brothers Fund allows InterAction to develop its PVO Standards. 1993: Recognizing that development education should extend beyond the classroom and into the offices of policymakers, InterAction convenes its first Advocacy Day during the annual Forum, drawing over 100 participants. The Commission on the Advancement of Women identifies and begins to pursue four interlinked objectives to be simultaneously carried out over four years.

1995: The “Just One Percent” campaign kicks off during Advocacy Day; more than 200 executives and staff of organizations involved in international relief and development gather to remind lawmakers that foreign aid makes up less than 1 percent of the federal budget and should not be cut any further. Despite strong opposition from the administration, Congress votes to cut foreign aid by about $1 billion and merges USAID and other agencies into the State Department. First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton speaks at InterAction’s 10th annual Forum.

1997: The InterAction community conducts a successful advocacy campaign to restore funding for international affairs programs for FY1998, including regular international affairs spending and arrearages to the UN, multilateral development banks and other international organizations.

1999: The Global Connections project begins in six pilot cities with a series of activities designed to mobilize community leaders, educate members of Congress and improve and expand media coverage of local and global issues. The Commission on the Advancement of Women develops the Gender Audit, an organizational self-assessment tool and action planning process.

2001: The Commission on the Advancement of Women’s “50/50 on Boards of Directors” initiative introduces gender equity on member boards of directors. InterAction releases “Strengthening U.S. Foreign Assistance,” with recommendations to President George W. Bush on how to make U.S. foreign assistance more effective.

2003: InterAction recruits a security expert, who begins to assess threats to members working in the field and design an NGO security mechanism, with funding assistance from the European Community.

2005: The G8 Gleneagles summit puts a spotlight on poverty, with G8 heads of state promising to double foreign assistance by 2010. InterAction produces the 90-day Tsunami Accountability Report, tracking how member organizations are spending public donations; an updated One-Year Tsunami Accountability Report is released on the first anniversary of the disaster.

2007: InterAction helps create the G7 NGO Platform Alliance and releases a report, The United States and the MDGs, assessing the U.S. government’s contribution to the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.

2009: InterAction works with the office of the House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman to mobilize NGO input in legislation that proposes a restructuring of U.S. foreign assistance, and launches a blueprint to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of U.S. foreign assistance.

To read InterAction’s full 2008 Annual Report, please visit www.InterAction.org