MCC’s inaugural Forum on Global Development offers a unique occasion for visionaries and practitioners in international development to meet, exchange ideas and honor three outstanding individuals for their work on gender integration, investment and innovation. For more information, visit www.mcc.gov/forum

Jonny Dorsey is a northern California native who co-founded two international NGOs: FACE AIDS and the Global Health Corps. FACE AIDS, a student campaign to fight HIV/AIDS, was founded in 2005 when, as a Stanford University undergraduate, Dorsey traveled to Zambia to volunteer in a refugee camp.

Visa provides free financial literacy programs to millions around the world with a goal to reach 20 million people worldwide by May 2013—a commitment it announced at the Clinton Global Initiative conference in 2009. In 2011, Visa and the Government of Rwanda announced a Charter of Collaboration to develop localized solutions to extend access to financial services to citizens throughout the country. Visa also supports some of the world’s leading nongovernmental organizations, such as joining with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Australian Agency for International Development to support the GSMA mWomen Program and its goal to reduce the mobile phone gender gap and improve women’s access to life-enhancing financial services.

MCA-Mongolia has demonstrated a commitment to gender integration across a wide range of operational areas, including program implementation, communications and monitoring and evaluation. It conducted gender trainings with its program implementation units and contractors and established points of contact on gender issues in each such unit. Through quarterly meetings, MCA-Mongolia tracks progress on gender integration, and programmatic interventions have been designed more effectively as a result.

Watch the overview of the March MCC Board meeting, including the proposed Zambia Compact and its water and sanitation project, the status of the Malawi Compact and a revised Threshold Program with Niger.

Watch a discussion of innovative approaches to improving access to clean water and sanitation.

Watch a discussion of MCC’s Indonesia Compact and its clean energy, child health, and procurement reform initiatives.

On Nov. 18, 2011, MCC signed a five-year, $600 million compact with Indonesia to reduce poverty through economic growth. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and MCC CEO Daniel Yohannes participated in the signing ceremony in Bali, Indonesia.

Topics of discussion at this town hall include an overview of the December MCC Board meeting, MCC’s annual selection of compact-eligible countries, Cape Verde’s proposed second compact, and updates from the field.

Watch a discussion about country ownership with MCC and Oxfam America: How effective has it been, what lessons have we learned, and what do partner countries have to say about it?

Co-hosted by MCC and the Council of the Americas with keynote remarks by Asst. Secretary of State Jose Fernandez, this event focused on aid effectiveness in Latin America through the lens of private sector development, including lessons learned from the region.

On Oct. 19, 2011, President Kufuor, MCC CEO Daniel Yohannes, and David Beckmann discussed the challenges and opportunities involved in improving food security and generating economic growth in Africa.

Discover how MCC’s $307 million compact with Benin addressed obstacles to economic growth by expanding a major port, promoting land security, improving access to capital and creating a more efficient judicial system.

On Oct. 4, 2011 MCC hosted a public town hall meeting to discuss the outcomes of the September 2011 Board of Directors meeting, including updates to MCC’s selection indicators, the proposed Indonesia Compact, Tunisia’s eligibility for a Threshold Program and results from Armenia.

One of the components of the Albania Threshold Program, Stage II program aimed to strengthen civil society engagement in Albania.

The Albania Threshold Program, Stage II developed e-government solutions to support greater transparency and accountability in Albania’s public administration.

One of the components of the Albania Threshold Program II improved the transparency and efficiency of Albania’s tax administration.

The Albania Threshold Programs established Albania’s National Business Registration (NRC) and Licensing Centers (NLC), as well as regional offices throughout the country. The one-stop-shops make it easier for businesses to register their businesses.

On Monday, August 15, 2011, BBC World News ran this story on the recent protests in Malawi. Video courtesy of BBC World News.

Discover how MCC’s $113.5 million compact with Nicaragua rehabilitated roadways, helped set up successful rural businesses and improved the legalization of urban and rural property titles in the Department of León.

On June 24, 2011, MCC held an event to provide an overview of the quarterly MCC Board of Directors meeting. Topics includde an update on policy reform initiatives, compact operations highlights and reinstatement of the Niger Threshold Program.

MCC CEO Daniel W. Yohannes is be interviewed by Good Morning Namibia Host Kazembire Zemburuka.

In June 2011 MCC CEO Daniel Yohannes met with students in Namibia who study in new schools funded by MCC’s Namibia Compact. The education project includes infrastructure improvements, institutional strengthening, and policy reform to ensure sustainable results.

MCC is supporting expansion and renovations to this school and has also provided textbooks in the English, math and science. MCC CEO Daniel W. Yohannes toured the school site and saw both the expansion and renovation activities. He also visited a classroom to observe the textbooks in use, a cultural presentation by students and a short discussion with the Regional Director of Education, the Principal, faculty, school administrators, local elected officials and local community representatives.

On June 2, the Washington Foreign Press Center hosted a press briefing with Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Johnnie Carson, Deputy Vice President of Compact Operations for the Millennium Challenge Corporation Andrew Mayock, and Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for African Affairs Florie Liser to discuss the upcoming 2011 AGOA Forum and the U.S. government’s efforts to reauthorize the act.

MCC’s CEO Daniel W. Yohannes sits down with Daniel Runde, Director of the CSIS Project on Prosperity and Development, to discuss the MCC model.

Daniel W. Yohannes, MCC’s CEO, delivered a keynote address on May 18, 2011, the second day of Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Global Diaspora Forum at the U.S. Department of State.

The three-day event is bringing together over 300 leaders from diaspora communities around the United States with the goal of strengthening collaboration and engagement among those communities, civil society organizations, the private sector, and public institutions.

The Energy Rehabilitation Activity, as part of the Regional Infrastructure Rehabilitation Project in MCC’s Georgia Compact, repaired the north-south gas pipeline, which is the sole transmission line transporting gas to Georgia.

As part of the Enterprise Development Project with MCC’s Georgia Compact, the Agribusiness Development Activity provided technical assistance and grants to farmers and agribusinesses in critical value chains that supplied agricultural products to the domestic market or have export capacity.

Discover how the Georgia Development Fund, as part of MCC’s $395 million compact with the country, assisted in the rehabilitation of municipal water and sewage systems providing clean and sustainable water supplies in rural areas.

As part of MCC’s $395 million Georgia Compact, the Regional Infrastructure Development Project provided assistance to small and medium sized enterprises within the agribusiness and tourism industries, creating jobs and introducing best practices.

The Samtskhe-Javakheti Road Rehabilitation project, aimed at constructing 224 kilometers of strategically and economically important roads, connects the poorest region of Georgia to the capital city.

Mikheil Saakashvili, President of Georgia, explains how MCC’s Compact with Georgia has impacted the country and how it laid the groundwork for future economic growth.

On March 24, 2011, MCC CEO Daniel Yohannes hosted a public event following the March Board of Directors meeting to discuss the meeting. The meeting also featured a panel discussion on MCC’s results framework, a new private-sector and NGO engagement initiative and a Results Spotlight on the compact closeouts in Georgia and Vanuatu.

MCC welcomed Aissatou Diallo and Fatimata Yanta, two young participants in the BRIGHT 2 schools project in Burkina Faso, to Washington D.C. to attend a White House reception hosted by First Lady Michelle Obama celebrating the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day. They were joined by Burkina Faso Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) Board Member, Madeleine Sorgo Ouangraoua, a leader and advocate for women in that country. Aissatou, 11-years-old, was honored to introduce the First Lady at the event where she discussed her life in Burkina Faso and her success in school as a result of the BRIGHT 2 project.

MCC CEO Daniel W. Yohannes discussed actions of the Board and recent activities at MCC, and introduced new MCC Board member Ambassador Mark Green.

MCC Chief Executive Officer Daniel W. Yohannes joined United Nations World Food Program (WFP) Executive Director Josette Sheeran to sign a memorandum of understanding today to scale up MCC’s and WFP’s global economic growth, poverty alleviation, and food security efforts.

On Dec. 2, 2010, MCC hosted an event designed to provide firms with an understanding of the MCC procurement model and to provide MCC with feedback and recommendations from firms interested in working with MCC, including a panel on “Doing Business with MCC: Experiences from the Private Sector.” Panelists included MCC officials and representatives of firms working with MCC.

Part 1 of 2 contains the overview of the MCC procurement model and the Q&A session. Part 2 contains the “Doing Business with MCC: Experiences from the Private Sector” panel.

On Dec. 2, 2010, MCC hosted an event designed to provide firms with an understanding of the MCC procurement model and to provide MCC with feedback and recommendations from firms interested in working with MCC, including a panel on “Doing Business with MCC: Experiences from the Private Sector.” Panelists included MCC officials and representatives of firms working with MCC.

Part 1 of 2 contains the overview of the MCC procurement model and the Q&A session. Part 2 contains the “Doing Business with MCC: Experiences from the Private Sector” panel.

This video was produced by MCA-Cape Verde for the closeout of Cape Verde’s compact.

MCA-Armenia highlights the programs and positive outcomes from the $235 million grant provided by the American citizens.

On Nov. 3, 2010 MCC held a meet-and-greet event with MCC’s Resident Country Directors. During the formal program, several directors reported on progress to date and answered questions on the MCC-MCA process. All directors were available for discussion at the beginning and end of the event. This video is of the formal program

On Oct. 25, 2010, the U.S. Government’s Millennium Challenge Corporation Chief Executive Officer Daniel Yohannes and Jordan’s Minister of Water and Irrigation Mohammad Najjar signed a $275.1 million compact to reduce poverty through economic growth in the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Jordanian Foreign Minister Nassar Judeh witnessed the compact signing at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, DC.

MCA-Nicaragua explains the importance, value and benefit of gender integration in its compact program.

Edras Mateo lives in Belen Gualcho, a town of about 18,000 residents in the Ocotepeque province in western Honduras.  He is one of 122 program farmers in Belen Gualcho (out of 471 program farmers in Ocotepeque) who are receiving an integrated package of training that involves crop management, business skills, marketing, and post-harvest handling under the MCC-funded Rural Development Project.  Edras and the majority of the farmers who have been trained are examples of MCC’s commitment to sustainably increase the profitability of men and women involved in agriculture.

On Sept. 23, 2010, MCC Chief Executive Officer Daniel Yohannes and Philippine Secretary of Finance Cesar Purisima signed a five-year economic development compact granting $434 million to the Philippines for investments in roads, community development projects, and improvements to the country’s Bureau of Internal Revenue.  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and President of the Philippines Benigno Aquino III presided at the signing held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel in New York City.

On Monday Sept. 20, 2010, MCC hosted a reception that brought together leaders from small- and medium-sized businesses, donors, the U.S. Government, and foreign governments to share ideas on ways in which we can partner to deliver sustainable solutions to the developing world.

The path towards empowering women and girls requires a clear understanding of how gender differences and inequalities have shaped their lives and opportunities. Please join us in a discussion of the challenges and opportunities we face as a donor community in achieving gender integration. The discussion will focus on areas that have been identified as requirements for successful gender integration: leadership, mandate, capacity, resources and accountability.

Presented to the MCC Board of Directors in June 2010, this video—produced by MCA-Honduras—provides a high-level overview of the programs underway in Honduras.

In Lesotho, adult married women had the legal status of children and there was no movement on the “Married Persons Equality Bill” despite six years of effort. Watch this video to see how MCC helped move this bill through Lesotho’s legislature.

On Jan. 22, 2010, MCC and Moldova signed a five-year economic development agreement granting $262 million to Moldova for investment projects in irrigation infrastructure, high-value agricultural production, and road rehabilitation. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Prime Minister Vladimir Filat of Moldova presided at the signing held at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

Watch remarks from recently confirmed MCC Chief Executive Officer Daniel W. Yohannes. Mr. Yohannes will discuss actions of the MCC Board of Directors. Following Mr. Yohannes’ remarks, a panel of MCC officials will provide further detail on FY 2010 selection and updates on country programs.

Motlalane Malehlohonolo, MCA-Lesotho Public Outreach Officer, talks about why the Compact with Lesotho is important.

Meet Muneera Salem-Murdock, MCC’s Resident Country Director in Morocco.

On September 16, 2009, MCC and the Republic of Senegal signed a five-year poverty reduction compact granting $540 million for road rehabilitation and food security initiatives in some of the poorest regions of Senegal.  U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and President Abdoulaye Wade of Senegal presided at the signing held at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C.

Video of the outreach meeting held after the Senegal Compact signing ceremony.

Learn more about how MCC remains committed to transparency by posting—and updating quarterly—its monitoring and evaluation information on mcc.gov.

MCC and the Global Health Council hosted a public forum on July 29, 2009 to discuss the critical need to provide access to health care for the world’s poor, in part by building safe infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and health clinics.

Meet Barbara Ayisa, a farmer in Affumkrom, Ghana. Barbara is one of over 16,750 farmers who have been trained in sustainable farming and business enterprise through an MCC-funded program.

Barbara explains how her community’s participation in the $241.5 million training program, implemented by Ghana’s Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), has improved her own life and those of other women in Affumkrom.

A brief introduction to the Millennium Challenge Corporation and its efforts to reduce poverty throughout Africa.

Video of MCC’s special event commemorating Africa Day 2009 where speakers addressed important issues the continent is facing in this time of global economic crisis, including constraints to growth in the region as well as promising trends for the future and a vision for the years ahead.

A brief introduction to the Millennium Challenge Corporation and its efforts to reduce poverty throughout the Americas.

Views from MCC’s private sector board members.

Video of the post-Board of Directors outreach meeting on March 24, 2009.

MCC and Habitat for Humanity International discuss the importance of land tenure and its links to global poverty reduction and economic growth.

At a signing ceremony on July 28, 2008 in the Windhoek, Namibia, MCC and the Director General of the Namibian National Planning Commission (NPC) signed a $304.5 million poverty reduction grant. The signing was witnessed by the Right Honorable Nahas Angula, Prime Minister of Namibia, Dennise Mathieu, United States Ambassador to Namibia and a number of Namibian and US officials and stakeholders. The five-year Compact will help strengthen access to and quality of Namibia’s education and training sector, increase   productivity of farm enterprises in communal rural areas and promote growth in Namibia’s tourism industry.

On July 14, 2008 in a signing ceremony at the State Department’s Benjamin Franklin room, MCC and Burkina Faso signed a $480.9 million poverty reduction grant.

MCC recognizes World Water Day and the importance of water in development assistance. This public forum highlights MCC’s work to bring sustainable water systems to our compact countries around the world.

On Feb. 18, 2008, MCC and Tanzania signed a $698 million Millennium Challenge grant in a ceremony in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. MCC’s largest compact to date, the program will reduce poverty by increasing household incomes through investments in transportation, energy, and water.

On Oct. 23, 2007, MCC and Mongolia signed a $285 million Compact to alleviate poverty by stimulating economic growth.

In a signing ceremony on Aug. 31, 2007 officiated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI in Tetouan, Morocco, MCC and Morocco signed a $697.5 million Compact designed to stimulate sustainable economic growth. During the ceremony, Moroccan Prime Minister Driss Jettou and Ambassador Danilovich delivered remarks.

In a signing ceremony on July 22, 2007 at the U.S. State Department’s Benjamin Franklin room, MCC and Lesotho’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Relations signed a $363 million Compact designed to reduce poverty by promoting sustainable economic growth. MCC’s Chair, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, officiated and witnessed the signing joined by Lesotho’s Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosisili.

In a signing ceremony on July 12, 2007 at the U.S. State Department’s Benjamin Franklin room, MCC and Mozambican Minister of Development and Planning signed a $506.9 million Compact designed to reduce poverty in Mozambique by promoting sustainable economic growth. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte officiated and witnessed the signing joined by Mozambican President Armando Guebuza.

On Nov. 29, 2006 in Washington, DC, MCC and El Salvador signed a $461 million development agreement aimed at reducing poverty in the Central American nation.

On Nov. 13, 2006 in Washington, DC, the United States and the Republic of Mali signed a $461 million development Compact designed to reduce poverty in the West African nation.

On Aug. 1, 2006 in a signing ceremony at the State Department’s Benjamin Franklin room, MCC and Ghana signed a $547 million Compact, or agreement. MCC Chair Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice officiated and witnessed the signing. She was joined by Ghanaian President John Kufuor.

On Mar. 26, 2006 in a signing ceremony at the State Department’s Benjamin Franklin room, MCC and Armenia signed a $235.65 million Compact between the two countries. MCC Chair Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice officiated and witnessed the signing. She was joined by Armenia’s Foreign Minister Vartan Oskanian.

On Feb. 22, 2006, MCC signed a five-year, approximately $307 million Compact with the Government of the Republic of Benin. The Program is expected to benefit up to 5 million Beninese, over half of Benin’s population, and lift an estimated 250,000 of its citizens out of poverty by the year 2015.

On July 3, 2005 in Praia, Cape Verde, the United States, through the Millennium Challenge Corporation, signed an historic five-year Compact in excess of $110 million with the Republic of Cape Verde to support the country’s goal of poverty reduction and economic growth. The Compact will help transform Cape Verde by making sizeable investments in water resources, agricultural productivity, major port and road improvements, and initiatives to promote the private sector, including investment climate and financial sector reforms.