US FY 1999 Congressional Presentation

Note: This document may not always reflect the actual appropriations determined by Congress. Final budget allocations for USAID's programs are not determined until after passage of an appropriations bill and preparation of the Operating Year Budget (OYB).
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET

PROGRAM: LAC REGIONAL
TITLE AND NUMBER: A Broad-base of Leaders and Potential Leaders in LAC Countries Equipped with Technical Skills, Training and Academic Education, 598-S006
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCES: FY 1999: $6,000,000 DA; $4,000,000 CSD
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1990 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 1999

Purpose: To equip a broad-based cadre of leaders and potential leaders in LAC countries with technical skills, training, and academic education, and an appreciation for and understanding of the workings of a free enterprise economy in a democratic society.

Background: The LAC Regional program's participant training strategy is based on the hypothesis that to have long-term impact there are two factors which are critical to lasting improvement in the economic and social conditions of the region: (1) a stable social, political and economic environment that is conducive to economic development; and (2) an educated and skilled population with capable leaders to manage and implement programs and policies. The importance of human resources to any country cannot be overstated - everything from the broad direction of public policy to the management of individual firms and productivity of individual laborers rest on the skills, knowledge and values of people.

The Cooperative Association of States for Scholarships (CASS) project, implemented by Georgetown University since 1989, focuses training to support LAC strategic objectives and meet human resource development needs of LAC countries for technical expertise, for example, in business-related areas such as agribusiness, small business management, industrial maintenance administration, environmental subjects including forestry and fisheries management, and in health care including facilities administration and food science technology.

In addition, the CASS training program aims to instill attitudes and beliefs of responsibility and initiative in participating scholars. These values often lead to a greater sense of commitment to family, community and country.

USAID Role and Achievement to Date: The U.S.-based CASS training program is a particularly effective vehicle for strengthening societal commitment to the understanding of free enterprise and democratic pluralism. The combination of exposure to democratic values and institutions and their practical application in economic development, technical skills transfer, and establishment of human and institutional linkages are a potent catalyst for social and economic change. This fact is born out by program accomplishments and its continued high performance.

* Approximately, 92% of the returnees are employed; many of those not employed are continuing their education.

* Of those employed, 95% are able to put into practice what they have learned in the U.S. training program.

* 70% of the trainees reported an increase in salary, and/or job responsibilities since returning to their home country. 82% of the trainees attribute this increase in salary, at least in part, to their U.S. training.

Description: The Special Objective is a LAC Regional training program consisting of individual USAID Mission projects, and the regional activity, which includes the CASS program.

Host Country and Other Donors: The participant training program strategy was designed to expand the "partnership" between the cooperating agents and the U.S. training institutions. The objective is to foster cost sharing between institutions and USAID. For example, the CASS agreement requires 25% cost sharing. College cost sharing has taken many forms such as the provision of tuition and allowances, as well as indirect cost. In-country contributions include office and conference space, participant room/board during orientation and re-entry, and coverage of various administrative costs.

Beneficiaries: Direct beneficiaries of this program are women, disadvantaged populations and other previously excluded groups in developing countries. These groups and individuals constitute the human resource base of the nation. The Special Objective also endeavors to identify and recruit scholarship candidates who have demonstrated leadership potential, but who are clearly unable to obtain their educational objective in the United States without scholarship assistance. Indirect beneficiaries are the various ministries and organizations that have sponsored participants for U.S. training.

Principal Contractor, Grantee or Agencies: Georgetown University Center for Intercultural Education and Development.
Major Results Indicators:    		  Baseline (FY 92) 	  Target (FY 99)

Number of leaders and			18,106     		25,000
potential leaders success-
fully completed training  

Returned Scholars employed			70%       		92%
In area of expertise and 
applying skills

Percent of returned scholars			80%  			90%
involved in community 
and/or professional activities.

Returnees finding new				92%  			95%
jobs or increased earnings
or responsibility

Percentage of returnees who			11%			13%
maintain ties* with the U.S.
^* such as an ongoing relationship with a U.S. institution of higher education, various professional affiliations, personal connections with Americans, etc.

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