The creation of the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in 2004 changed the conversation on how best to deliver smart US foreign assistance around the world. In the 20 years since its creation, MCC has demonstrated that focused investments promoting economic growth, democracy, infrastructure, reducing poverty, and strengthening institutions can have far reaching positive effects. In the face of current challenges around the world, how can the MCC model continue to help democracies across the globe deliver for their people? At this event, MCC CEO Alice Albright and Wilson Center CEO Ambassador Mark A. Green will discuss what comes next for MCC and how the model can be used to face today’s challenges in the foreign affairs arena. Please join us for this timely and critical discussion. 

Five years ago, Nicaragua’s authoritarian leaders, Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, cracked down on protests, killing 355 individuals between April 2018 and July 2019. In response, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights established the Special Follow-up Mechanism for Nicaragua (MESENI) to investigate the regime’s abuses. MESENI has interviewed victims and met with local human rights groups and other civil society organizations that are documenting human rights abuses.

Despite the international scrutiny, the regime continues to repress the democratic opposition. In February, it expelled 222 political prisoners to the United States. It has also targeted the Catholic Church, breaking off diplomatic relations with the Vatican, banning Easter processions, and unjustly sentencing Bishop Rolando José Álvarez to 26 years in prison.

To learn more about the deteriorating human rights conditions in Nicaragua and the implications for the United States and the region, please join us for our conversation. The dialogue is part of the Wilson Center’s Hemisphere of Prosperity and Freedom series.

Since its inception in 2003, PEPFAR has transformed the landscape of HIV treatment and prevention. It is estimated that this program, which works to accelerate progress toward achieving HIV and AIDS epidemic control in over 50 countries globally, has saved over 20 million lives, prevented transmission to 5.5 million babies, and enabled countries to surpass UNAIDS’ 90-90-90 treatment targets. PEPFAR has also played a vital role in addressing other global health challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding care to marginalized groups such as adolescent girls and young women, key populations, pregnant people, children, and displaced persons.

PEPFAR released its new five-year strategy in December 2022, which sets bold priorities in the effort to eliminate HIV and AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. Advocates globally seek to ensure that more global health sectors are included in PEPFAR’s mission to provide integrated services, and that PEPFAR programming is inclusive of all people.