January 5, 2016Op-ed

ONE Campaign: Michael Gerson on Transforming Foreign Assistance With Evidence

by Michael Gerson

Global/ 2016/

Given the essential role of U.S. aid in addressing the crisis in Syria and other conflict zones, it is more important than ever that we come together around a bipartisan vision for foreign assistance. That is why I am pleased to have joined with former USAID Administrator Raj Shah in writing a new chapter for the second edition of the national best-selling book, Moneyball for Government. Our chapter, titled “Foreign Assistance and the Revolution of Rigor,” provides a bipartisan roadmap for result-oriented foreign assistance.

Despite our differences on a range of ideological issues, our experience working in Republican and Democratic administrations has led us to several shared convictions:

  • We believe foreign assistance should be measured in lives changed, not dollars distributed.
  • We believe making friends with other countries should be the by-product of a really good aid program rather than the mission itself.
  • And we believe evidence and data should drive policy and practice.