Project on U.S. Leadership in Development
Exploring new thinking on development with a focus on entrepreneurship, innovation, and market-driven economic growth
The Project on U.S. Leadership in Development is focused on leveraging all American assets—the private sector in particular—to promote economic development, improve livelihoods, and reduce poverty worldwide. The world faces incredible challenges at a time when donor country political environments are marked by protectionism and populism. Strong global engagement, promotion of the transformative potential of the private sector, and a leadership role in the liberal international order all provide significant opportunities for U.S. businesses, foreign policy priorities, and ultimately the American people. The urge to retrench and retreat in the face of crisis is strong; but this is precisely when the U.S. should double down as a global leader in development.
The project seeks to renew the discourse in Washington and to provide policymakers with fresh, actionable recommendations to maintain America’s leadership role in development.
Areas of Focus
This project aims to set a bipartisan policy agenda that will lead to a set of actionable recommendations.
CSIS has strong ongoing initiatives in global health, human rights, trade, food security, and economic development. The project is focused on generating new ideas and innovative approaches in a range of areas, including:
- Governance, rule of law, and domestic resource mobilization
- Private sector, economic, and rural development
- Development finance, trade, foreign investment, and the role of multilateral institutions
- Technology and innovation
- Root causes of instability, humanitarian assistance, and post-conflict recovery
All Project on U.S. Leadership in Development Content
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The Sustainable Development Goals and Recovery from the COVID-19 Pandemic: Implications for U.S. Policy
Congressional Testimony by Daniel F. Runde — September 15, 2022
50 Years of Bangladesh-U.S. Relations and Beyond
Event — April 5, 2022
The Road to the 2022 Summit of the Americas: Vaccine Diplomacy and Engagement
Event — December 14, 2021
An Armchair Discussion with David Malpass, President of the World Bank Group
Event — November 8, 2021
Beyond COVAX: The Importance of Public-Private Partnerships for Covid-19 Vaccine Delivery to Developing Countries
Report by Conor M. Savoy and Elena I. Méndez Leal — September 13, 2021
Book Event: The Enduring Struggle: A Conversation with John Norris
Event — September 9, 2021
Visas for Our Afghan Partners: What Does the United States Owe Its Afghan Allies?
Event — July 16, 2021
Online Event: Empowering Youth on the Path to Conflict Prevention
Event — February 8, 2021
Women and Statecraft History: A Compilation of Personal Essays by Women Historians
Report by Seth Center, Fiona Hill, Sara Bush Castro, Elizabeth C. Charles, Susan Colbourn, Sarah-Jane Corke, Michelle Grisé, Marybeth Peterson Ulrich, Stephanie Young, and Emma Bates — December 1, 2020
A Peaceful Democratic Transition in Venezuela
Commentary by Daniel F. Runde — November 10, 2020