AIARD
Education & Advocacy Committee

Co-Chairs:
Susan G. Schram
Lloyd Le Page

Members:
Don Crane
Stephanie Curs
Alexis Ellicott
Robert Brown

Objectives

Increasing awareness of the instrumental role of agriculture in global development and its importance in the U.S foreign assistance portfolio;

Informing policy makers, donors and and institutions about effective strategies to advance agriculture and rural development in the global economy;

Improving relationships between agriculture and rural development and other development efforts to promote a sustainable global society (e.g., natural resources, health and nutrition, child survival, HIV/AIDS, gender, democratization);

Fostering interaction and cooperation among other organizations and private sector companies dedicated to expanding U.S. resources for international agriculture and rural development.

Activities

Issue Paper
In 2008 the Committee prepared an issue brief on the importance of agriculture and rural development entitled Agriculture: The Missing Piece of the U.S. Development Assistance Puzzle. AIARD members used this issue paper when writing to and visiting their members of Congress during the FY09 appropriations season. AIARD coordinated its advocacy efforts and positions with that of the broad-based Coalition for Agricultural Development (CFAD) and will continue to do so for FY10 advocacy efforts.

Capitol Hill Forum
In early 2009 it is anticipated that AIARD will conduct another Capitol Hill Forum, particularly given the mismatch between the gravity of the global food crisis and the low level of U.S. development assistance resources presently devoted to agriculture and rural development.

The program will set the stage for the agenda of the new Administration and Congress will focus on the importance of agriculture and rural development as a critical U.S. foreign assistance priority.

Those interested in joining the committee should contact Sue Schram at 202-879-0600 or .

Education & Advocacy Committee
Report for 2003-4