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Miguel Garcia-Gosalvez, Director of Innovation, DI Development, on Service Delivery Models: More Than Just New Technology

March 20, 2012 at 4:26 pm

There is still a general conception that “innovation” often means “new technologies.” In the international development arena this can be an obstacle because, although there is no doubt that some new technologies can enhance and improve the lives of many people, in many cases new technologies do not solve the problems they are supposed to and can even create new problems.

It is common to see projects or initiatives that introduce new technological innovations, many times even more advanced that what is available in “developed” countries. However, those who have experience in international development know the failure rate of initiatives that rely only on the latest and newest technologies. Despite the benefits that many modern technological innovations may be able to provide, we understand and appreciate that some basic and traditional tasks, such as training, deployment strategies, durability, etc. are directly linked to the success and sustainability of these innovation efforts. Read more →

Afghanistan: Moving Forward

March 6, 2012 at 4:17 pm

On Wednesday, February 15, 2012, the Embassy of Slovenia hosted a panel discussion, “Afghanistan: Moving Forward.”  An intriguing topic, the discussion focused on the importance of sustained international non-military engagement in Afghanistan. Implementing partner of several USAID-funded programs in Afghanistan, International Relief & Development (IRD), co-hosted the event held in Washington, D.C.

Panelists included Afghan Ambassador to the U.S., H.E. Eklil Ahmad Hakimi, Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women’s Issues, Melanne Verveer, and Larry Sampler, Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs at USAID. The event, moderated by the President of the Middle East Institute, Ambassador Wendy Chamberlin, was attended by more than 100 guests representing the Obama Administration, U.S. congress, diplomatic corps, non-governmental organizations, and think tanks. Read more →

Julie Moore, Administrative Coordinator for DI Development, on Democracy and Governance in Paraguay

February 21, 2012 at 3:37 pm

DI Development, a business of DynCorp International, works as an implementing partner with USAID on the Paraguay Threshold II Program. In the approximately four years that DI Development has been working on this program, tremendous progress has been made.

The field of democracy and governance is a dynamic and intangible concept which can be challenging for development professionals to measure in terms of successful results.  At its core, democracy and governance work attempts to alter behaviors.  More specifically, in our democracy and governance program, the goal is to change how individuals react while public sphere circumstances remain static in hopes of creating a more transparent public sector. Read more →

Kerian McManus, VP, Development, Participates in First-Ever SID-Washington Private Sector Development Workgroup Meeting

February 16, 2012 at 4:45 pm

Kerian McManus, VP, Development at DynCorp International, participated in the first-ever Society for International Development (SID) Washington Chapter’s Private Sector Development Workgroup meeting, held Friday, January 20, 2012.

McManus serves as co-chair with Kristi Ragan, Chief of Party for USAID Grand Challenges Project, Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI).  The workgroup hosted a planning meeting to discuss the upcoming year. McManus and Ragan led a discussion to develop and identify an accurate workgroup name, mission statement and description, exact functions of the workgroup, desired outcomes from workgroup participation and other key figures in the development area that should be engaged and participate.

The workgroup’s goal is to help evolve the discussion from Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to (1) the role of private sector in development, (2) partnerships that are more robust, and (3) bringing in non-traditional actors to international development.  The mission statement, which is under review, states the following: Read more →

Kerian McManus, VP, Development at DynCorp International, Featured at 7th Annual Peacekeeping, Reconstruction & Stabilization Conference

February 14, 2012 at 2:45 pm

dyncorp internationalKerian McManus, vice president of Development at DynCorp International, presented “Beyond Whole of Government—the Missing Strategic Partner:  the Role of the Private Sector in Mitigating Conflict and Reinforcing Stability,” at the 7th Annual Peacekeeping, Reconstruction & Stabilization Conference held February 7-9, at the Westin Alexandria in Alexandria, Va.

In his presentation, McManus discussed:

  • Employment, productivity, and social stability in conflict and post-conflict environments
  • Sustainability, resilience, and security from economic opportunity
  • Transitioning a post-conflict environment into a fringe or emerging market
  • The costs of failing to incorporate private sector input in strategic dialogue
  • The “Babel Fish” factor in traditional government and private sector strategic partnership, that is, speaking the same language
  • Models, options, and the potential benefits of a “4D” future (defense, diplomacy, development and “dollars” – private sector support and investment) Read more →

DI Development Helps Combat Financing of Terrorism in Timor-Leste

February 9, 2012 at 3:29 pm

The USAID-MCC Anticorruption Program in Timor-Leste, implemented by DI Development, a business of DynCorp International, works with the USAID-MCC Anticorruption Program in Timor-Leste, Foti Timor-Leste (FTL). On December 12, the country passed its first Anti-Money Laundering Law (AML), designed to combat the financing of terrorism (CFT).

Terrorists finance criminal activities by laundering money, so stopping this activity is on the top of a worldwide agenda to fight corruption. The failure of a country to prevent terrorists’ access to funds through money laundering can be met with formal and informal sanctions. Read more →

DI Development, a Business of DynCorp International, Sponsors 7th Annual Peacekeeping, Reconstruction & Stabilization Conference

February 2, 2012 at 6:00 pm

DI Development, a business of DynCorp International, will be the silver sponsor at the Peacekeeping, Reconstruction & Stabilization Conference being held February 7-9, 2012 at the Westin Alexandria, in Alexandria, Va.

Now, in its 7th year, the reconstruction, stabilization and security series will continue to focus on the ongoing transition in Iraq and Afghanistan. This year’s conference will expand to cover Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Haiti and Pakistan.

The conference theme is “Transitioning from States of Conflict and Disaster to Stability and Security,” and topics include: Read more →

DI Development’s Tegan Hare, Public-Private Partnerships Coordinator, on Interesting Facts, the Czech Republic and the State of Virginia

January 31, 2012 at 2:57 pm

Virginia is the gateway to the South. It is the lover’s state. It’s home to the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains and the Shenandoah Valley; and is rich in history. One thing not commonly known about Virginia is that it was the inspiration upon which the local economic development program of the Czech Republic was formed.

Have you ever wondered about the methodologies in which a country’s institutional and economic framework is built?  Through various government agencies, such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation and USAID, the U. S. assists other countries in achieving their social, economic, and governmental goals. Read more →

ALEKSANDER DARDELI, PRACTICE DIRECTOR – DEMOCRACY AND GOVERNANCE FOR DI DEVELOPMENT, ON THE ENDURING SIGNIFICANCE OF MARKETS IN INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT

January 26, 2012 at 5:54 pm

(Note: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of DynCorp International).

The international development community is abuzz with impending budgetary cuts and a blurring of the lines between traditional development assistance and stabilization and reconstruction initiatives implemented through defense agencies.

Amidst this clatter, it is important to not lose sight of a few fundamental understandings. Core elements of international development will continue to be framed and measured in economic terms. Regardless of the proliferation of schools of thoughts on development, the struggle for developing nations and increasing the choices of individuals will center on generating economic growth. Read more →

Battle for Public Access to Information Pays Off in El Salvador

January 24, 2012 at 4:36 pm

In 2008 a group of civic and governmental leaders came together to encourage the Government of El Salvador to support the approval by the National Assembly, the country’s first national access to public information law, an integral component in the fight against corruption.

The Democracy Strengthening Program (DSP), a U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) funded initiative administered by DI Development, partnered with the people of El Salvador on the initiative. Thanks to DSP support, Salvadoran society is ready to welcome this important milestone. Read more →

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