Sep 3, 2019 /

International Development Working Group Annual Meeting

On July 9, 2019, over 70 safety and security professionals representing 48 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) joined United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Bureau of Diplomatic Security (DS) officials for the OSAC International Development Working Group (IDWG) annual meeting.

Held at The American National Red Cross in Washington, D.C. and funded by the ISF, the day-long conference focused on building cultures of security across organizations, including keynote addresses by Senior Vice President for International Services and Service to the Armed Forces at the American Red Cross Koby Langley; Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Carlos Matus; and USAID Director of Security John Voorhees. Additional discussion topics, organized by the IDWG Steering Committee, centered on mainstreaming security culture at organizations, professionalization of the international NGO security sector, how training supports a culture of security, and how strategic security partnerships within organizations enable operations.

Christina Johnson, Global Safety and Security Director of Chemonics, who is a longtime IDWG member, serves on the OSAC Council and chairs the OSAC Outreach Committee, attended the event. She remarks, “This event was one of the best we have ever had: great speakers and informative panelists. In addition, the happy hour at Old Ebbitt Grill was a critical culminating element of the event. We all know that the relationship building and information exchange is where we coalesce a day’s learning. ISF support to IDWG has enabled its mission and it is truly appreciated.”