Michael J. Keegan

Americans are increasingly dependent on timely, reliable, and accurate information on weather, water, and climate for the protection of life and property, as well as the enhancement of the nation’s economy. In fact, a nationwide survey indicates that weather forecasts generate $35 billion in economic benefits to U.S. households, about six times the cost spent on weather forecasting and research. Extreme weather becomes more common and damaging due to a confluence of physical and socioeconomic factors.

USAID seeks to deliver sustainable development solutions. As part of its mission, USAID advances U.S. national and economic prosperity, demonstrates American cooperation, and promotes a path to self-reliance and resilience of aid recipients. The purpose of foreign aid should be ending the need for its existence, and USAID provides development assistance to help partner countries on their own development journey to self-reliance—looking at ways to help lift lives, build communities, and establish self-sufficiency.

In the aftermath of the September 11th terrorist attacks on the United States, Congress created the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund (VCF), which provided compensation for economic and noneconomic loss to individuals, or the personal representative of individuals, who were killed or physically injured in the attacks.

President Iván Duque of Colombia envisions his country as a leader in the Fourth Industrial Revolution and he has charged Sylvia Constain to realize this vision. Minister Constain joined me on a Special Edition of The Business of Government Hour--the Global Leadership Series: a conversation with world leaders and international public servants who are making a difference. Here’s a excerpt of our discussion.

Government has many diverse and unique missions, but a single constant remains regardless of the mission set: serving the public above all else.

Michael J. Keegan

John Kamensky

Reliable health and supply systems are identified by the World Health Organization as a key element for improving access to medicines. This becomes even more problematic in developing countries with populations residing in remote locales. Getting life-saving medicines to these areas is fraught with man challenges. In a general sense, it is challenging getting health commodities into many of these countries, but even more challenging is getting medicines to those in need who live in remote regions once these medicines are in-country.

Michael J. Keegan

Agencies lag on IT workforce planning, GAO says. Federal agencies are lagging on planning activities designed to improve the information technology workforce, according to a new report.

The report from the Government Accountability Office dives into how large federal agencies are doing implementing a GAO framework designed to assess and address gaps in skills in the federal IT workforce.

Leadership plays a critical role in successfully executing the mission of government. Successful leaders envision, shape, and safeguard the future, creating clarity amidst uncertainty. This objective is increasingly difficult in an era where rapid, unforeseen change seems constant.