At the heart of USAID Administrator Mark Green’s vision for the agency is “to end the need for its existence,” and a desire to transition countries that may no longer need development assistance to a new relationship with the United States. But against the backdrop of the proposed 32% cut to the International Affairs Budget, there have been some concerns that “transitions” could serve as a cover for cutting aid budgets and closing missions.

For Violet and her classmates in Tanzania, lunchtime means sitting under the shade of nearby trees, happily devouring a hearty bowl of rice and beans. In the rural Mara region where Violet lives with her family, school meals like these were once a rare occurrence. Recurrent droughts in the region made farming difficult and food scarce — and until Project Concern International (PCI) stepped in, hunger was commonplace in the classroom.

While all eyes are on President Trump’s whirlwind 12-day, 5-country tour of Asia, there’s been another narrative is playing out across the Indian Ocean: China’s growing influence in Africa.

Speaking in Vietnam just a few hours ago, President Trump launched a debate on the future of development finance by committing the Administration to help American businesses invest and compete in the developing world.

While more people than ever before are climbing out of poverty, major pieces to the puzzle of eradicating it are still missing. But by investing in the proper tools and resources, this report shows how quickly poverty, its symptoms and its dire consequences could finally be wiped out.

As we mark World Food Day and celebrate the incredible progress Feed the Future has made possible, we are reminded that there is so much left to do. 800 million people will go to bed hungry tonight, and over 20 million people are at risk of starvation from the threat of famine. Increasing food security and building resiliency has taken on a new sense of urgency— but with continued investment and support, Feed the Future is well on its way to ending hunger once and for all.

The latest episode of the Brookings Cafeteria podcast delves into the current challenges facing U.S. foreign assistance— including how Americans perceive foreign aid, the role the United States plays in a complex and turbulent world, and a deep dive into the current consensus around restructuring and reforming the State Department and USAID.

As we mark this World Teacher Day, we are reminded of the partnerships around the world that help to provide quality education in challenging times. Now is the time to double down on efforts to equip educators around the world with the resources and training needed to do their jobs— because an effective teacher can make a world of difference.

While the coverage of President Trump’s first speech at the United Nations General Assembly has focused on his defense of his “America First” message, stress on “sovereignty,” and threat to totally destroy North Korea, close listeners may have also heard him mention America’s efforts to fight HIV/AIDS, stop preventable disease like malaria, and advance the rights of women and girls around the world for the first time in office.

Consider this: if every child learned how to read before leaving school, 171 million people worldwide would be lifted out of poverty. And if all women completed a primary education, maternal death rates would drop by 66 percent.