BRATTLEBORO-One year ago, the Trump administration halted all foreign aid and refugee resettlement and subsequently closed the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Members of the Windham World Affairs Council (WWAC) wrote in a news release that halting donations from the world’s biggest provider of development aid was a shock to the international development system and has had far-reaching ramifications in many countries of the world.
At that time, WWAC convened a “Members + Friends Salon” with local residents affected by these funding cuts. WWAC revisits this salon to discuss what has transpired in the year since, with a panel of former USAID staff and experts in international development, on Friday, Jan. 23, at 6:30 p.m. at 118 Elliot.
Michelle Barrett, deputy mission director of USAID’s West Africa Regional Office until 2025, will share her experience of the agency’s closure. Jim Levinson, who had a lengthy career at USAID and other international agencies, will discuss the impacts of USAID’s closure across the world. Siena Fleischer, USAID career staff until 2025, will introduce new initiatives that have arisen to pick up the pieces.
At 5:30 p.m, before the panel, there will be a social hour with former USAID and State staff, grantees, and contractors. The time is envisioned as a space where those directly affected by these changes can network, problem-solve, and think outside the box. Refreshments will be served.
The event is free with donations of $10 gratefully accepted. Register at USAID.eventbrite.com to attend live. To attend via Zoom, register at tinyurl.com/WWAC-USAID.
For further information about future events, or if you would like to consider joining the WWAC board, visit windhamworldaffairscouncil.org.
This Town and Village item was submitted to The Commons.