please visit www.InterAction.

org President and CEO, Save the Children

1984-2009
To read InterAction’s full 2008 Annual Report Board Chair, InterAction
Charles MacCormack
Report
maternal mortality, combat disease and ensure environmental sustainability. President & CEO, InterAction
Commemorative
efforts to advance the Millennium Development Goals in the United States. educate our children, end hunger, achieve gender equality, reduce child and Samuel A. Worthington
initiatives and now recognizes our coalition as the key representative of the coming years, we will miss this historic opportunity to fight poverty,
25th Anniversary
The UN reached out to InterAction to play lead civil society roles in several Development Goal targets set for 2015. If we do not redouble our efforts in by amplifying our collective voice.
civil society’s first global attempt to create aid effectiveness norms for NGOs. of climate change for those we serve and meeting the UN’s Millennium our new brand — A United Voice for Global Change — to achieve bold change
CONCORD, Europe’s largest association of NGOs, InterAction helped launch resources to meet them. Time is running out on mitigating the consequences forward to working with members, partners and staff to realize the promise of
Opportunities to engage globally have also significantly increased. With Still, great challenges remain, and we must mobilize the maximum possible I am proud and humbled to lead this organization into the next 25 years. I look
reform dialogue. world’s poor. development actors and the continued urgency of ongoing and new crises.
InterAction helped expand the political space for the foreign assistance campaign and pushing for a cabinet-level agency focused on the changing global environment, from climate change to the emergence of new
opment agency, producing a detailed paper and testifying before Congress, • Ensuring that humanitarian issues were integral to the U.S. presidential aid. We are aware of the need to constantly monitor and respond to the rapidly
assistance reform efforts. By anchoring the concept of a cabinet-level devel- other war zones. fectiveness globally and in building broad support for the reform of U.S. foreign
Network, InterAction helped bring an NGO voice to think tank-led foreign Asia and protecting innocent civilians in Afghanistan, Sudan, Gaza and We have played a significant role in shaping the discourse of development ef-
ernment and NGO space. As leaders in the Modernizing Foreign Assistance • Leading the humanitarian response to devastating cyclones in southeast
led to a number of new partnerships and joint efforts to shape the U.S. gov- • Building strong partnerships with national and international allies. relief and development dialogue to help the world’s poor remain undiminished.
InterAction’s ability to position itself to take advantage of new opportunities out our lifesaving programs; it is imperative that our engagement in the global
in a number of critical areas, including: Americans entrust InterAction members with their hard-earned money to carry
boundaries. Working together, InterAction’s 177 member organizations have made progress recognize our mistakes and learn from the experiences of others. Millions of
hearings, we continued our efforts to establish appropriate civil-military relevant. Reclaiming our leadership role requires that we not only take risks, but
tions at military command headquarters and appearances at congressional and increasing its impact. We are once again poised to reinvent ourselves and the way we work to remain
ing no U.S. taxpayer dollars are diverted to terrorism. Through consulta- InterAction has become “action central” for aligning our community’s efforts
allies to create a system that is workable for operational NGOs while ensur- coalition into sharp focus. As I conclude my term as Board Chair, it is clear that of adversity.
Partner Vetting System, with InterAction working closely with members and It’s been a sobering time, and one that has brought the value of the InterAction our remarkable ability to recognize and leverage opportunities in the midst
Georgia and extensive negotiations over the implementation of USAID’s new responses to external challenges. Our resilience has been instrumental in
cerns surrounding our members’ humanitarian efforts in Burma, China and us closer to peril and led to countless preventable deaths. InterAction staff and Board are continually tasked to tailor and refine our
challenges and opportunities. Challenges included foreign policy con- food shortages and natural disasters have pushed the most vulnerable among CEO had adequately prepared me for the demands of the job. I was wrong.
During 2008, InterAction was faced with a wide range of new and ongoing The financial crisis of 2008 rocked world markets, while increased violence, When I joined InterAction three years ago, I believed my decades as a member
The Year in Review “Action Central” in a Challenging Time Poised to Achieve Bold Change
Giving Children Hope International Housing Coalition (IHC) Opportunity International U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants
InterAction Board of Directors 2008-2009 InterAction Member Organizations
Global Health Council International Medical Corps Oxfam America U.S. Committee for UNDP
Charles F. MacCormack, Save the Children (Chair) Academy for Educational Development CARE Global Links International Orthodox Pact U.S. Fund for UNICEF
Ritu Sharma Fox, Women Thrive Worldwide (Vice Chair) Action Against Hunger USA Catholic Medical Mission Board Global Resource Services Christian Charities (IOCC) Pan American Development Foundation Volunteers Association of Bangladesh (VAB)
Amy Coen, Population Action International (Treasurer) ActionAid International USA Catholic Relief Services GOAL USA International Reading Association PATH Water Aid America
Adventist Development and Center for Health and Gender Goodwill Industries International International Relief & Development Pathfinder International Winrock International
Samuel A. Worthington, InterAction (Ex-officio)
Relief Agency International (ADRA) Equity (CHANGE) Habitat for Humanity International International Relief Teams PCI-Media Impact Women for Women International
African Medical & Research Centre for Development and Handicap International USA International Rescue Committee (IRC) Perkins International Women’s Environment and
Kenneth Bacon, Refugees International
Foundation Population Activities (CEDPA) Hands on Worldwide International Social Service — United Physicians for Human Rights Development Organization
David Beckmann, Bread for the World African Methodist Episcopal Service CHF International HealthRight International (formerly States of America Branch, Inc Physicians for Peace Women Thrive Worldwide
Carol Bellamy, World Learning & Development Agency (AME-SADA) ChildFund International Doctors of the World- USA) International Youth Foundation Plan USA World Cocoa Foundation
Sekyu Chang, Korean American Sharing Movement Africare Christian Blind Mission (CBM) Heart to Heart International Interplast Population Action International World Concern
Julius Coles, Africare Aga Khan Foundation USA Christian Reformed World Heartland Alliance Islamic Relief USA Population Communication World Conference of Religions for Peace
Helene D. Gayle, CARE USA Aid to Artisans Relief Committee (CRWRC) Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society Joint Aid Management (JAM) Presbyterian Disaster Assistance World Education
Anne Lynam Goddard, Christian Children’s Fund Air Serv International Church World Service Heifer International Jesuit Refugee Services USA and Hunger Program World Emergency Relief
Lee H. Hamilton, Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars Alliance for Peacebuilding Citizens Network for Foreign Affairs Helen Keller International Keystone Humane Project HOPE World Hope International
Alliance to End Hunger Communications Consortium Media Center Holt International Children’s Services Services International ProLiteracy World Learning
Neal Keny-Guyer, Mercy Corps
American Friends Service Committee Concern America Humane Society International (HIS) Korean American Sharing Movement Refugees International World Neighbors
Elizabeth Latham, US Committee for UNDP
American Jewish Joint CONCERN Worldwide U.S., Inc. The Hunger Project Latter-day Saint Charities Relief International World Rehabilitation Fund
Jo Luck, Heifer International
Distribution Committee Congressional Hunger Center Information Management and Mine Life for Relief and Development Resolve Uganda World Relief
John McCullough, Church World Service American Jewish World Service Counterpart International Action Programs (IMMAP) Lutheran World Relief RESULTS World Resources Institute (WRI)
Mary Ellen McNish, American Friends Service Committee American Near East Refugee Aid Direct Relief International INMED Partnerships for Children Management Sciences for Health (MSH) Salvation Army World Service Office World Society for the Protection of Animals
Daniel E. Pellegrom, Pathfinder International American Red Cross International Services Educational Concerns for InsideNGO MAP International Save the Children World Wildlife Fund
Linda Pfeiffer, INMED American Refugee Committee Hunger Organization (ECHO) Institute for Sustainable Communities Medical Care Development Seva Foundation World Vision
Robert Radtke, Episcopal Relief and Development AmeriCares Episcopal Relief & Development Institute of Cultural Affairs Medical Teams International SHARE Foundation (as of 6/15/09)
Carter Roberts, World Wildlife Fund America’s Development Foundation (ADF) Ethiopian Community Development Council International Fund for Animal Welfare Mental Disability Rights International Society for International
George Rupp, International Rescue Committee Amigos de las Américas Family Care International International Aid, Inc. Mercy Corps Development (SID)
Ananda Marga Universal Relief Team Floresta International Catholic Migration Mercy USA for Aid and Development Solar Cookers International
Zainab Salbi, Women for Women International
Baptist World Alliance The Florida Association of Volunteer Commission (ICMC) Minnesota International Health Volunteers Stop Hunger Now
Ron Sconyers, Physicians for Peace
B’nai B’rith International Action in the Caribbean and the International Center for Mobility International USA Support Group to Democracy
Kathy Spahn, Helen Keller International
BRAC USA Americas (FAVACA) Religions and Diplomacy National Association of Social Workers Transparency International USA
Richard Stearns, World Vision Bread for the World Food For The Hungry International Center for National Council of Negro Women Trickle Up Program 1400 16th Street, NW
Tsehaye Teferra, Ethiopian Community Development Council Bread for the World Institute Freedom From Hunger Research on Women (ICRW) National Peace Corps Association Unitarian Universalist Service Committee Suite 210
Emily Untermeyer, Amigos de las Americas Washington, DC 20036
Brother’s Brother Foundation Friends of Liberia International Crisis Group (ICG) National Wildlife Federation United Methodist Committee on Relief
Campaign for Innocent Victims Friends of the World Food Program International Foundation for ONE Campaign United Way International 202-667-8227
in Conflict (CIVIC) Gifts In Kind International Electoral Systems (IFES) Operation USA USA for UNHCR www.InterAction.org
Our First 25 Years 2002: The Global
1988: InterAction 1996: The last full 2000: Coalition Partnership for
InterAction (formally the American Council for Voluntary International Action) was born through the collaboration between is successful in its year of the Alliance members arrange Effective Assistance
a group of development-focused NGOs, Private Agencies in International Development, and a group of NGOs focused on efforts to ensure for a Global Com- speaking tours and campaign kicks off,
humanitarian assistance, the American Council of Voluntary Agencies for Foreign Service. On October 22, 1984, as the world systematic integra- munity project, a set up a project in aiming to increase
watched the first BBC television footage of the Ethiopian famine, the Board of Directors for InterAction signed the document tion of women into 1994: Members of three-year coop- Iowa to educate the overall level and
that brought the organization into existence. InterAction hit the ground running, acting as an information clearinghouse all U.S. development 1992: After extensive InterAction and the erative agreement U.S. presidential effectiveness of U.S.
and accepting public donations, which were passed along to members responding to the famine on the ground. Over the assistance programs, advocacy by InterAc- Congressional Black with USAID through candidates about the development and
last 25 years, InterAction has achieved and maintained its original goal of being a place where both humanitarian and reflected in the 1989 tion and its members, Caucus hold a joint which InterAction danger of land mines humanitarian as-
development NGOs can convene and collaborate; it has grown as an organization and expanded its focus, responding to the foreign operations President George press conference, provides materi- and the treaty ban- sistance. InterAction 2004: InterAction’s
expressed needs of its members as well as leading the community into new and necessary areas. Through bill signed by Presi- H. W. Bush signs urging President als and support to ning them, which the produces a highly first diversity confer-
drafting a set of uniform standards, building on disaster response, branching into civil-military relations dent Reagan. the Horn of Africa Clinton to address help members and United States is one acclaimed 40-minute ence, “Global Diversity:
and NGO security, partnering with southern NGOs, integrating women into all aspects of development, Recovery and Food the genocide unfold- kindred organiza- of only two industri- video and DVD, Ensuring Effectiveness
and expanding the community’s advocacy initiatives, among a multitude of other projects, InterAction 1986: Over 50 Inter- 1990: The Africa Security Act, marking ing in Rwanda and tions build public alized nations not to which highlights for through Inclusion,”
continues to set a bold agenda to help the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Action member orga- Partnership project a dramatic shift in explain to the Ameri- awareness of the sign. After a year of military audiences helps NGOs broaden
nizations form a Task produces a “Partner- U.S. foreign policy can people why developing world. field trials, the Sphere the independence their capabilities for 2006: InterAction
Force on Foreign Aid ship Handbook,” and directing the U.S. the United States Project releases its and impartiality advancing diversity successfully advo-
1984: InterAction is
founded on October to prevent crippling which includes to increase grassroots must respond to the 1998: InterAction Humanitarian Char- that humanitarian and make connec- cates the insertion of
22, the very day that cuts in development reports and recom- development and enormous tragedy. releases the results ter and Minimum organizations must tions with colleagues poverty reduction as 2008: The Women,
U.S. television begins and humanitarian mendations from the peacekeeping efforts The halls of Congress of an intensive two- Standards in Disaster maintain even in doing similar work. a top-line goal in the Faith, and Develop-
airing footage of assistance. InterAc- three strands of the in the region and fill with InterAction year study, “There Is Response. conflict situations. InterAction prepares administration’s new ment Alliance, of
starving children in tion undertakes a project — directors, renounce the use of Forum participants a Constituency for for an initiative on Strategic Framework which InterAction
Ethiopia. The new substantial campaign program and devel- military solutions in wearing yellow Global Engagement,” the UN’s Millennium for U.S. Foreign is a co-founder, and
organization acts to educate its mem- opment education. the region. buttons stating, which redefines the Development Goals Assistance. The aid effectiveness
as an information bers on the impact of “Reinvent Foreign understanding of by collaborating with organization’s policy galvanize the NGO
clearinghouse and
the Gramm-Rudman- Aid NOW!” during Americans’ percep- the ONE Campaign brief, A Development community. InterAc-
forwards donations
Hollings budget-defi- the second Advocacy tions of international and the Global Call to Approach to HIV/AIDS, tion begins mapping
from the American
public to InterAction cit reduction formula, Day, which draws issues. The “Keep US Action Against Pov- is widely distributed members’ projects
members responding which proposes cuts triple the number of Connected” cam- erty and facilitating prior to the UN Gen- for pandemic
on the ground to the of up to 50 percent in advocates over the paign is launched at the participation of eral Assembly Special preparedness and
devastating famine. U.S. foreign aid. previous year. Advocacy Day. InterAction members. Session on HIV/AIDS. food security.

Focus on the Future

The world has changed dramatically since the United States launched its 1985: InterAction’s 1989: The organiza- 1991: A grant from 1995: The “Just One 1997: The InterAc- 1999: The Global 2007: InterAction 2009: InterAction
international development assistance programs over 60 years ago. The current Membership tion initiates a proj- the Rockefeller Broth- Percent” campaign tion community Connections project helps create the G7 works with the office
geopolitical era has ushered in a time of interdependent issues that can only Committee is ect to develop and ers Fund allows Inter- kicks off during conducts a successful begins in six pilot NGO Platform of the House Foreign
be solved by global solutions. Today, much of the debate has shifted from created. Before implement its PVO Action to develop its Advocacy Day; more advocacy campaign cities with a series Alliance and releases Affairs Committee
“what is wrong with current policy” to “what is the future of foreign aid.” the organization’s Standards, covering PVO Standards. than 200 executives to restore funding for of activities designed a report, The United Chairman to mobilize
first anniversary, member governance, and staff of organiza- international affairs to mobilize com- States and the MDGs, NGO input in legisla-
As we look to the next 25 years, InterAction is committed to a deliberate focus President & CEO finances, organiza- 1993: Recognizing tions involved in programs for FY1998, munity leaders, assessing the U.S. tion that proposes a
on creating public awareness of the collective impact and effectiveness of the Peter J. Davies tional integrity, that development international relief including regular educate members government’s restructuring of U.S.
international NGO sector through our core strengths as: testifies at the public outreach, education should and development international affairs of Congress and contribution to foreign assistance,
House Appropria- management and extend beyond the gather to remind spending and improve and the UN’s Millennium and launches a
A Convener tions Subcommittee human resources classroom and into lawmakers that arrearages to the expand media 2001: The Commis- 2003: InterAction 2005: The G8 Development Goals. blueprint to improve
We will build on our power to create strategic alliances between our community on Foreign Opera- practices, program the offices of policy- foreign aid makes UN, multilateral coverage of local sion on the Advance- recruits a security Gleneagles summit the efficiency and
and global leaders. Our goal is to move beyond providing input to making tions during FY1986 issues and public makers, InterAction up less than 1 development banks and global issues. ment of Women’s expert, who begins puts a spotlight effectiveness of U.S.
sure that the international NGO community has a seat at the table and a voice budget hearings. policy. InterAc- convenes its first percent of the and other interna- The Commission on “50/50 on Boards of to assess threats to on poverty, with foreign assistance.
in global decision-making forums. tion launches the Advocacy Day during federal budget and tional organizations. the Advancement Directors” initiative members working in G8 heads of state
1987: InterAction Africa Partnership the annual Forum, should not be cut of Women develops introduces gender the field and design promising to double
A Mobilizer and the Overseas project to enhance drawing over 100 any further. Despite the Gender Audit, equity on member an NGO security foreign assistance To read InterAction’s full 2008
Partnering with a broader group of international actors, we will advance a Development the effectiveness of participants. The strong opposition an organizational boards of directors. mechanism, with by 2010. InterAction Annual Report, please visit
comprehensive people-centered strategy — reducing poverty while achieving Council release working relationships Commission on the from the administra- self-assessment InterAction releases funding assistance produces the 90-day www.InterAction.org
economic growth, and creating stable societies to reduce humanitarian crises. the results of a among African and Advancement of tion, Congress votes tool and action “Strengthening U.S. from the European Tsunami Accountabil-
public opinion U.S. NGOs. Women identifies to cut foreign aid planning process. Foreign Assistance,” Community. ity Report, tracking
A Thought Leader survey, “What and begins to pursue by about $1 billion with recommenda- how member organi-
Based on decades of experience, we know that any effective development Americans Think: four interlinked and merges USAID tions to President zations are spending
strategy must have poverty eradication as its underlying goal. We will create Views on Develop- objectives to be and other agen- George W. Bush on public donations; an
a leading position for our community by playing a key role in shaping global ment and U.S.–Third simultaneously cies into the State how to make U.S. updated One-Year
dialogue on key issues such as aid effectiveness, U.S. foreign assistance reform World Relations,” carried out over Department. First foreign assistance Tsunami Accountabil-
and the protection of NGO space. the first such study four years. Lady Hillary Rodham more effective. ity Report is released
since 1972. Clinton speaks at on the first anniver-
InterAction’s 10th sary of the disaster.
annual Forum.