Ep 12: USAID Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Funding

Host Michael Shanley is joined by Shannon Green, a senior advisor to the administrator for the USAID's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance, and Barbara Smith, who manages democracy, human rights, conflict resolution, and rule of law programs at the Carter Center.

In this episode, they delve into prominent issues and explore the actions taken in response. Additionally, they discuss the current administration's priorities, election integrity, AI's role, and localization efforts and retrospectively examine our past and present progress.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [00:00] Mike begins by sharing who is on today's podcast and an update from Dean Fritz Meyer of the Denver Democracy Summit
• [09:06] Shannon discusses what her role is at the USAID's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights and Governance and what is happening there
• [19:28] Barbara shares how this administration is currently prioritizing this work that Shannon shared and compares where we were to where we are
• [26:15] Discussion of USAID Forward and localization and the role AI plays
• [38:38] Discussion of the National Security Council
• [44:08] Question from a partner regarding Save the Children and the Global Fragility Act
• [46:47] Question from a listener on how the DRG is promoted versus what is done on counter-authoritarianism
• [50:41] Questions from two listeners regarding traditional humanitarian and USAID priorities
• [55:12] Barbara and Shannon leave the listeners with important thoughts

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• People from all over the world hunger for freedom.
• The USAID is harnessing its development assistance to promote accountable states, active citizens and rights-respecting societies.
• Brazen attempts at stealing elections are a problem in Africa.

RESOURCES:

Shannon Green - USAID website

Barbara Smith - Carter Center Website

Fritz Mayer LinkedIn

BIOGRAPHIES

Shannon N. Green serves as the Assistant to the Administrator of the Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG). In this role, she leads USAID's efforts to invigorate democracy, enhance human rights and justice, and bolster governance that advances the public interest and delivers inclusive development.

Previously, Ms. Green was the Senior Advisor to the Administrator and Executive Director of the Anti-Corruption Task Force where she led USAID's historic elevation of anti-corruption and aligned the Agency's policies, programming, and resources to counter corruption at a global scale.

Before returning to public service in 2021, Ms. Green was the Senior Director of Programs at the Center for Civilians in Conflict (CIVIC) and Director and Senior Fellow of the Human Rights Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), where her research focused on addressing threats to democratic institutions and norms, enhancing justice and accountability, and improving security forces' respect for human rights.

From 2004 - 2015, Ms. Green held a number of positions in the U.S. Government, including as the Senior Director for Global Engagement on the National Security Council. In that role, she spearheaded efforts to deepen and broaden U.S. engagement with critical populations overseas, including the President's Stand with Civil Society Agenda and young leader initiatives around the world. Prior to that, Ms. Green served in the DRG Center, where she developed policies, strategies, and programs to advance political reform and human rights in the Middle East and North Africa.

Ms. Green received her B.A. in Political Science and History from the University of Georgia and her M.A. in International Peace and Conflict Resolution from American University, and has served as an adjunct professor for Syracuse University Maxwell School.

Frederick 'Fritz' Mayer, Ph.D., is the dean of the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. Dean Mayer's research interests include international trade and economic globalization and the role of storytelling in politics and collective action. He has published two single-author books, four educational publications, and numerous articles and chapters. He is affiliated with the American Political Science Association, the International Studies Association, and the Association of Public Policy and Management. Prior to DU, Dean Mayer served as professor of public policy, political science and environment; associate dean; director of the Center for Political Leadership, Innovation and Service; and director of the Program on Global Policy and Governance at the Terry Sandford School of Public Policy at Duke University.

Barbara Smith oversees the Carter Center's democracy, human rights, conflict resolution, and rule of law programs, which operate projects and observe elections in countries across the globe.

Before coming to The Carter Center in September 2020, Smith was principal and founder of the international development consulting firm Mountain Time Development. She also was a senior associate at the Center for Strategic & International Studies, focused on the Human Rights Initiative, conducting field work and research on civil society. Her wide-ranging career also includes assignments at the United States Agency for International Development and with the National Security Council in the White House.

At USAID, Smith held a number of positions, most recently as deputy assistant to the administrator in the Bureau of Policy, Planning, and Learning. She also co-led the team that created the seminal USAID 2013 Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance Strategy, which is applied across the approximately 100 countries where USAID works. Other positions she held at USAID included senior policy analyst, deputy coordinator for Middle East Transition Response during the Arab Spring, and senior field advisor for democracy and governance.

Smith served on the National Security Council as a director for Afghanistan and Pakistan affairs and as senior director for governance and law at the Asia Foundation. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, she was a spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees. In Afghanistan, she was assistant country representative for the Asia Foundation, where she also directed the foundation's efforts to assist Afghanistan in holding its first post-Taliban elections.

Smith earned a bachelor's degree in government from the University of Texas and a master's degree in political science from Texas State University.