The US Agency for International Development launches its Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance. The Center will serve as a model for the entire Agency emphasizing on advancing best practices in the democracy, rights and governance field. It will be housed in DCHA, replacing the Office of Democracy and Governance.
With the important events in the Arab world and beyond, the Center will emphasize on lessons learned working closely with the Agency’s Missions around the world to systematically generate and compile knowledge of what does and does not work in supporting democracy, rights and governance. This will serve as a focal point, disseminating information to the wider U.S. Government and the international development community.
The launch occurs just over a year after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah released the first-ever Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review, which tasked USAID to elevate its work in democracy, rights and governance. In cooperation with the Agency’s Policy, Planning, and Learning Bureau, the Center will represent democracy, rights and governance issues in interagency arenas, ensuring that USAID’s investments are coordinated with U.S. diplomatic and defense efforts.
