The Society for International Development, Washington, D.C. Chapter, hosted a panel entitled, “The Conspicuously Absent Fourth 'D': Democracy,” on July 30.

Speakers at the event were Lorne Craner, president, International Republican Institute; Sarah Mendelson, deputy assistant administrator, USAID, DHCA; and Kenneth Wollack, president, National Democratic Institute. The panel was moderated by Malcolm Butler, senior vice president for emerging markets, Management Systems International.

The emphasis on soft power in recent years invokes the cooperation of the "3 Ds:" development, diplomacy and defense. Many observers note the "missing D" — democracy.

The panelists examined this topic on July 30 within the context of the current administration's continued commitment to democracy and governance issues. President Obama's historic speech in Ghana last year renewed the American commitment to support democratic values and institutions around the world. The recently released National Security Strategy also supports this promise: "Our diplomacy and development capabilities must help prevent conflict, spur economic growth, strengthen weak and failing states, lift people out of poverty, combat climate change and epidemic disease and strengthen institutions of democratic governance."

With the USAID Administrator firmly in place, the July SID-Washington Chapter event took an in-depth look at the Administration's approach to supporting democracy promotion, possible limits to it, and how support can evolve moving forward.

For more information, visit www.sidw.org [2].

Pictured Above: Kenneth Wollack addresses a question during the event as Lorne Craner and Sarah Mendelson (l to r) listen.