On February 18th, I attended a briefing and round table discussion about foreign assistance and humanitarian relief post Haiti at the Connect U.S. Fund. The discussion was led by U.S. in the World and featured representatives from the NGO community. It was an honor and privilege to be sitting next to and across the table from such figures as the International Rescue Committee's VP of Government Relations & Advocacy, and Interaction's, Senior Director of Policy and Communication, respecitively. Many thanks to Earth Day Network for providing me this opportunity.

Outside of the Earth Day Network walls, this was one of the first times in my DC tenure, when I felt like a fish swimming with the right kind of school. The dialogue that ensued within that hour and a half centered on potential strategies to engage US citizens around the importance of foreign assistance.  Pricilla Lewis of U.S. in the World opened the brown bag discussion by examining U.S. and donor countries perceptions on foreign assistance. By shifting how foreign assistance is framed - that is away from the "deficits," a focus on the "immediate response" and "silo-ed response mechanisms" - a concerted and coordinated effort by all involved humanitarian and development institutions at the front end can mean less resource outlay at the back end.

How refreshing to hear development practitioners suggest tangible strategies for achieving sustainable development. When said in so many words that their professional charge was to work themselves out of a job - it was like music to my ears. They weren't afraid to say this because they knew that - like any systemic change - transformation takes time and involvement from many moving parts - much longer than the arbitrary 2-5 year lifespan of a standard development project.

The experience reminded me of my time in Peace Corps (www.peace Corps.gov) - one of the best jobs I've ever loved (and continue to praise) - because I was amongst a group of people who got "it". They understand the importance of investing in the grassroots guy. I didn't have to explain to the Catholic Relief Servicesrepresentative the benefits of a climate change bill to his constituents in Haiti. To be amidst such introspective, self-less and influential change-makers- made me both honored and appreciative.