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Making Foreign Aid Work Better
The current global economic crisis -- far from being an invitation for the U.S. to withdraw from fighting deadly poverty, hunger and disease in other countries -- is prompting lawmakers and advocates to review U.S. foreign-aid programs to ensure their maximum effectiveness with limited resources.   Is taxpayer money being used efficiently to save as many lives as possible?  What is our nation doing right and what can we do better?   This week's EPPN alert will look at efforts, which the Episcopal Church is helping lead, to modernize U.S. foreign aid programs to prioritize the fight to eradicate deadly poverty and achieve the MDGs.

Click here to view the full text of the alert after 3/18.
Click here to download the bulletin insert.
Additional Resources
MORE INFORMATION: Questions and Answers on Foreign-Aid Reform
Religious Statement on Foreign Assistance Reform
Bread for the World’s 2009 Offering of Letters

December 2007 - Then-Senator Barack Obama on the importance of U.S. foreign assistance


What Else Can You Do in Addition to Advocacy?

In Your Community
Find out if your parish or diocese has a companion relationship with a church in the developing world.   If so, learn more about that relationship and host a rector’s forum or other opportunity for those in your congregation to hear more about it.   See if there is a way to write up success stories and share them with your Senators and Representatives (as well us your friends at the EPPN) as an example of why you care about foreign aid. 

 
In Your Home
Sign up to receive daily Lenten meditations via email from Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD is the development wing of the Episcopal Church and one of many faith-based institutions that partners with the U.S. government in disbursing our nation’s foreign aid). Use the meditations each day alone, or with your family or friends, to learn more about the work of ERD, and endeavor to share it with others.

 
In Your Church   
Many congregations distribute “mite boxes” (small containers in which to collect coins) during Lent as a way for children and others to share consciousness with, and collect money for, the needy.    Use this as an opportunity to be intentional about learning– and teaching your congregation’s children -- about the lives of children in poor countries.    (Visit www.SavetheChildren.org for more information).


Share Your Story
As we strive for justice and peace, we can learn from what each other are doing. We can share in our successes and collaborate on our challenges. Post your stories – from everyday advocacy (the little things that sometimes happen and you even don’t realize they’re advocacy until it’s over) to parish and community efforts that you are a part of. This is the place for Episcopalians to share how we are striving for justice and peace! Take a few minutes to tell us how you've made a difference in your community. You'll be amazed at how just one story – yours – could inspire people around the world. We welcome your contribution!  Share your story HERE.