Enhancing Democracy and Human Rights Activities

Supporting democracy and human rights abroad is a major U.S. foreign policy objective. U.S. programs to strengthen democratic institutions primarily focus on promoting (1) free and fair elections, (2) good governance, and (3) a robust civil society. Activities and programs range from broad USAID and State efforts to promote democratic processes in about 100 countries, such as aid to strengthen weak governance structures in Congo and promote nonviolent democratic change in Cuba, to regional efforts such as the Middle East Partnership Initiative (MEPI), which provides assistance for political, economic, and education reform and women's empowerment assistance. U.S. agencies' strategic plans often do not address critical challenges, including coordination with other donors, which is necessary to maximize scarce resources, and agencies have not consistently evaluated program results or shared lessons learned from completed projects, thus missing opportunities to enhance the outcomes of their programs.

• U.S. government agencies should improve information sharing to facilitate full coordination of democracy activities.
  Highlights of GAO-09-993 (PDF)
• It is crucial that the U.S. government and grant recipients manage available international resources as efficiently as possible for maximum impact and sustainability.
  Highlights of GAO-07-147 (PDF)
• In addition, projects to combat global trafficking in persons could be strengthened by improved information on the nature and severity of the problem, and often lack important elements for measuring performance and impact, such as frameworks linking project activities with goals and targets.
  Highlights of GAO-06-825 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-07-1034 (PDF)

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

USAID and State should take several steps to improve program planning and management, including:

• strengthen efforts to collect information on the democracy promotion activities of non-governmental parties
  Highlights of GAO-09-993 (PDF)
• improve communication among entities responsible for implementing U.S. democracy assistance, as well as management of grants, by implementing more structured, timely, and specified processes;
  Highlights of GAO-07-147 (PDF)
• improve the monitoring and evaluation of human trafficking projects, including by developing better data, applying rigorous evaluation methodologies, and clearly linking activities with goals.
  Highlights of GAO-07-1034 (PDF)

^ Back to topKey Reports

U.S. Embargo on Cuba

Democracy Assistance

Human Rights

The Democratic Republic of the Congo

The Democratic Republic of the Congo

Human Trafficking

Foreign Assistance

Foreign Assistance

Foreign Assistance

Foreign Assistance

Human Trafficking

Foreign Assistance

More Reports