Why Democracy and Governance?
Democracy & Governance
The difficulty
of the
challenge does
not remove the
obligation to
try.
Bill Clinton at the funeral
of Coretta Scott King
of the
challenge does
not remove the
obligation to
try.
Bill Clinton at the funeral
of Coretta Scott King
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
In 1989, I was a young university lecturer in China’s Northeast province of Jilin when students mobilized demonstrations across
the country, demanding free speech and greater democracy. It ended with terrible, widespread violence far beyond the confines of
Tiananmen Square. Experiencing China’s Democracy Spring animated my commitment to assisting citizens and their
governments to create relevant, vibrant systems of democratic governance.
In 1990, world events again directed my path and I began working in nations facing the historic transitions from communism to
democratic governance. Since then, I have worked on bilateral and multilateral policy and governance programs from Asia,
through Central Asia, across the former Soviet Union, over to Eastern Europe and the Balkans, and more recently, into Mexico.
Along the way, I learned to speak five additional languages to better reach and connect with local people.
In every country I have worked in or visited, I have found others with a vision and the strength to make difficult, positive change. It
has been a privilege and a great responsibility to work with these people who hold higher aspirations for participatory governance
at home and abroad.
the country, demanding free speech and greater democracy. It ended with terrible, widespread violence far beyond the confines of
Tiananmen Square. Experiencing China’s Democracy Spring animated my commitment to assisting citizens and their
governments to create relevant, vibrant systems of democratic governance.
In 1990, world events again directed my path and I began working in nations facing the historic transitions from communism to
democratic governance. Since then, I have worked on bilateral and multilateral policy and governance programs from Asia,
through Central Asia, across the former Soviet Union, over to Eastern Europe and the Balkans, and more recently, into Mexico.
Along the way, I learned to speak five additional languages to better reach and connect with local people.
In every country I have worked in or visited, I have found others with a vision and the strength to make difficult, positive change. It
has been a privilege and a great responsibility to work with these people who hold higher aspirations for participatory governance
at home and abroad.
Mobilize and Engage Communities
Communities can only function as well as the fundamental building blocks from which they emerge. Maybe one or even two
elements might be out of whack and needing attention, but without centers of strength elsewhere, the risk of collapse becomes
all too real.
Many international donor programs focus on strengthening institutions. However, in many nations, it is the body politic that
requires support—nurturing citizens who are confident in exercising their rights, who undertake their responsibilities consistently,
and who can imagine, plan and achieve higher aspirations. These are the citizens that constitute the lifeblood to vibrant
democracies.
Only when there is a solid body politic, do other institutions and sectors of a vibrant democratic society have a chance of
becoming stronger. Idealistic? Perhaps. But we can all point to communities and nations that don’t work. Why not aim higher and
work for better?
elements might be out of whack and needing attention, but without centers of strength elsewhere, the risk of collapse becomes
all too real.
Many international donor programs focus on strengthening institutions. However, in many nations, it is the body politic that
requires support—nurturing citizens who are confident in exercising their rights, who undertake their responsibilities consistently,
and who can imagine, plan and achieve higher aspirations. These are the citizens that constitute the lifeblood to vibrant
democracies.
Only when there is a solid body politic, do other institutions and sectors of a vibrant democratic society have a chance of
becoming stronger. Idealistic? Perhaps. But we can all point to communities and nations that don’t work. Why not aim higher and
work for better?
As a Democracy and Governance specialist, I provide services to NGOs and for-profit organizations around the world related to
democracy, governance, and small business economic growth. I help clients secure funding, introduce new knowledge, build or
consolidate programs, and evaluate program results. In that role, I develop tools and program materials adapted to specific
national and cultural contexts to promote greater citizen participation and engagement, analyze policies, and develop program
materials for better governance and economic growth.
I invest in staff development and advancement, coordinate program partners, and foster public-private partnerships. I guide NGOs
and local government capacity-building activities (e.g. participatory planning, organizational development, strategic
communications, financial accountability, stakeholder analyses, policy analysis and formulation) so they can fulfill their stated
goals and missions. Read my CV
democracy, governance, and small business economic growth. I help clients secure funding, introduce new knowledge, build or
consolidate programs, and evaluate program results. In that role, I develop tools and program materials adapted to specific
national and cultural contexts to promote greater citizen participation and engagement, analyze policies, and develop program
materials for better governance and economic growth.
I invest in staff development and advancement, coordinate program partners, and foster public-private partnerships. I guide NGOs
and local government capacity-building activities (e.g. participatory planning, organizational development, strategic
communications, financial accountability, stakeholder analyses, policy analysis and formulation) so they can fulfill their stated
goals and missions. Read my CV
What I do
Analyze Policies
Extend A Helping Hand
My DG career presented numerous opportunities to conduct, assess and utilize policy analyses for a variety of audiences:
academics, citizens, home offices, international donors, journalists, local and national officials, political party leaders, USAID
(missions and DC), and other US government agencies. These policy analyses have had four general applications:
٥ monitor, evaluate and report to USAID, USG and other internationals;
٥ assess policies and local conditions to adapt programs and operations strategically;
٥ critique policies to develop materials and tools to transfer to program partners; and
٥ inform local citizens of existing policies or policy alternatives for public discussion.
These policy analyses have taken many forms, including fact sheets, citizen-local government guides, US Congressional
testimony, USAID reports, and more..
academics, citizens, home offices, international donors, journalists, local and national officials, political party leaders, USAID
(missions and DC), and other US government agencies. These policy analyses have had four general applications:
٥ monitor, evaluate and report to USAID, USG and other internationals;
٥ assess policies and local conditions to adapt programs and operations strategically;
٥ critique policies to develop materials and tools to transfer to program partners; and
٥ inform local citizens of existing policies or policy alternatives for public discussion.
These policy analyses have taken many forms, including fact sheets, citizen-local government guides, US Congressional
testimony, USAID reports, and more..
Sometimes it is better to lead with the heart, rather than the head. And sometimes, nurturing communities requires helping out at
a more basic level. I am proud to support through time, money and contributions of art to the following charitable organizations
here in San Miguel:
a more basic level. I am proud to support through time, money and contributions of art to the following charitable organizations
here in San Miguel:
Tools for Schools
By enhancing their educational environment, Tools for Schools contributes to improved education levels and brighter futures as these
children enter the workplace. When children receive a quality education, the community experiences less poverty, crime, and domestic
problems. www.tools-for-schools.org
By enhancing their educational environment, Tools for Schools contributes to improved education levels and brighter futures as these
children enter the workplace. When children receive a quality education, the community experiences less poverty, crime, and domestic
problems. www.tools-for-schools.org
Casa de los Angeles
Casa de los Angeles has grown over the years to now serve more than 100 children from 73 families at two separate daycare centers. In
addition to daycare, the centers provide a place for mothers to find the support and the help they need to make a good life for themselves
and their children. Casa de los Angeles is able to provide medical care for the children, a food bank, summer camp, and scholarships.
www.casadelosangeles.org
Casa de los Angeles has grown over the years to now serve more than 100 children from 73 families at two separate daycare centers. In
addition to daycare, the centers provide a place for mothers to find the support and the help they need to make a good life for themselves
and their children. Casa de los Angeles is able to provide medical care for the children, a food bank, summer camp, and scholarships.
www.casadelosangeles.org
Feed The Hungry
Feed the Hungry raises money to build small, efficient kitchens attached to schools and then provides a hot, nutritionally balanced meal
to over 4,000 hungry children every school day. Feed The Hungry currently supplies 35 kitchens and plans to build two more kitchens in
2010. www.feedthehungrysma.org
Feed the Hungry raises money to build small, efficient kitchens attached to schools and then provides a hot, nutritionally balanced meal
to over 4,000 hungry children every school day. Feed The Hungry currently supplies 35 kitchens and plans to build two more kitchens in
2010. www.feedthehungrysma.org
Sociedad Protectora de Animales
The SPA is the only full service animal shelter in or around San Miguel. It shelters 100 animals awaiting new homes, provides dog
training for owners (who need it more than the dogs usually!), and offers veterinary services at low cost. www.spasanmiguel.org
The SPA is the only full service animal shelter in or around San Miguel. It shelters 100 animals awaiting new homes, provides dog
training for owners (who need it more than the dogs usually!), and offers veterinary services at low cost. www.spasanmiguel.org
