Measuring the impact and effectiveness of USAID democracy and governance assistance programs

Joint Statement on Security Sector Reform (PDF, 628kb):
In early January 2009, USAID, the Department of State, and the Department of Defense issued a joint statement on Security Sector Reform (SSR). This paper responds to a gap in current foreign assistance approaches to security and development. U.S. security assistance programs have sometimes focused too exclusively on providing equipment and training to security forces. However, forces enhanced through traditional assistance can better carry out their responsibilities if the institutional and governance frameworks necessary to sustain them are equally well-developed and equipped. Similarly, development assistance has generally excluded security-related assistance. Yet, development cannot thrive without basic security. The increasingly complex threats facing our partners and our own nation urgently require that we address the linkages among security, governance, development, and conflict in more comprehensive and sustainable ways.

In addition to building professional security forces, SSR supports the establishment of relevant legal and policy frameworks; enhanced civilian management, leadership, oversight, planning and budgeting capacities; and improved coordination and cooperation among security-related and civil institutions.

The paper identifies key principles and recommendations for joint activity. It will be followed by Agency-specific implementation guidelines.