Description of the Advisory Committee on Democracy Promotion

Secretary Condoleezza Rice established a new advisory committee to be known as the Advisory Committee on Democracy Promotion in 2006. The Committee was created to advise the Secretary of State and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development on the consideration of issues related to democracy promotion in the formulation and implementation of U.S. foreign policy and foreign assistance. No other existing committee serves this distinct function of advising the Secretary on democracy issues specifically. This mechanism – a small group of experts meeting directly with the Secretary – provides the most effective means of sharing ideas and advice, a goal which could not be achieved through a public hearing or other existing mechanisms.

The Committee’s membership consists of a wide range of viewpoints and professional backgrounds, and members include former U.S. Government officials, non-governmental democracy and human rights organizations, public policy organizations, academic institutions, the legal profession, and other experts on foreign policy or foreign aid issues related to the promotion of democracy. The Secretary of State and the Executive Director, a position held by Under Secretary Paula Dobriansky, serve as ex officio members of the Committee.

The Committee’s responsibilities are to:

• Review and make recommendations regarding the overall strategy for democracy promotion, including methods for incorporating the promotion of democracy and human rights into United States diplomacy;
• Identify ways the United States can work with other countries, the Community of Democracies, and multilateral institutions to further democracy promotion;
• Make recommendations on specific strategies for democracy promotion in target countries;
• Advise on methods for consulting and coordinating with individuals and non-governmental organizations that promote democratic principles, practices and ideals; and
• Make recommendations regarding programs related to the promotion of human rights and democracy administered by the United States.

List of Members