News & Resources

WSJ Reports on International Corporate Volunteering

Wall Street Journal Reporter Anne Tergesen explored the International Corporate Volunteer programs of CDS-clients IBM, Dow Corning, and Pfizer in her recent article, "Doing Good to Do Well." Showcasing the growth of ICV programs over the past five years, the article details how International Corporate Volunteerism benefits the employee volunteers with brand new experiences they would not normally encounter on their day job, as well as how they benefit the company through growth market knowledge and employee retention. To read her article on The Wall Street Journal, click here, or read the article on the CDS website, here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Forbes features CDS client IBM and its ICV program, the Corporate Service Corps

Forbes contributor Adam Gordon wrote an article about IBM's hugely successful Corporate Service Corps program. Entitled "How To Win Friends and Train Leaders in Global Markets? Just Follow IBM," the article explores the business benefits of International Corporate Volunteerism, including new relationships in growth markets for the company and leadership training for highly-skilled employees. To read his article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Triple Pundit features Amanda MacArthur's article, "The New Realities of CSR for Global Businesses"

Amanda MacArthur, Vice President of CDS, published a blog article at Triple Pundit entitled "The New Realities of CSR for Global Businesses". Discussing how International Corporate Volunteerism represents a new movement of Corporate Social Responsibility, Amanda explores how the ICV experience of IBM's Corporate Service Corps in Nigeria led to IBM providing "technology consulting that gives hospitals and doctors the intelligence to make life-saving decisions." To read her article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

NextBillion features Chip Reeves's Blog Article About the Dow Corning Citizen Service Corps

Chip Reeves, Director of Discovery at Dow Corning, published a blog article at NextBillion about why Dow Corning sends employees on international corporate volutneer projects around the world. Discussing how their Citizen Service Corps goes beyond Corporate Social Responsibility, Chip Reeves explores how their programs "expand knwoledge, broaden perspectives, and create valuable processes to shape innovation." To read his article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

FedEx’s new CDS-implemented ICV Program featured in BCCCC

Tess Smith, FedEx Corporation Manager of Human Resources, talks about the brand new Global Leadership Corps in her BCCCC blog article, “Brazil volunteer experience sparks FedEx Global Leadership Corps.” Tess explores the origins of their ICV program with the pilot program in Brazil accompanying IBM. Discussing how their new ICV initiative is designed as a leadership development program, she also talks about how the positive effects of ICV programs are seen not only in the employees, but in the company as a whole. To read her article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

IBM, Dow Corning and Pepsico featured in CR Magazine

Deirdre White's article, "The Job Corps Movement", was featured in CR Magazine Corporate Responsibility Magazine in its September publication. Discussing how International Corporate Volunteer programs are increasingly becoming a key component of companies’ business and CSR strategies, Deirdre explores the CDS-implemented programs of Dow Corning, IBM, and PepsiCo. With all three ICV programs operating under different models, Deirdre showcases how variations in ICV program design lead to positive, impactful results in support of each company’s goals and motivations. To read her article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Read Deirdre White's new article about Public-Private Partnerships

CDS CEO Deirdre White's article, "How Can Business and Government Work Together to Save a Life?" was featured in the Stanford Social Innovation Review on August 12th. Deirdre explores how partnerships between businesses and governments can generate sustainable, positive social change and discusses the successes of IBM's Corporate Services Corps, an International Corporate Volunteerism program implemented in partnership with CDS. To read her article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Fortune Magazine Showcases ICV Programs of CDS Clients, IBM, FedEx, and Dow Corning

Fortune Magazine contributor Elizabeth Olson discusses the International Corporate Volunteerism programs of CDS' clients, IBM, FedEx, and Dow Corning in her August 1st article, “Overseas job assignments get a haircut.” The article explores how their CDS-implemented ICV programs can produce better, more adaptable leaders while providing companies with key insights in emerging markets. To read her article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

New Employee Benefit News article explores International Corporate Volunteerism

In an article published on June 15th in Employee Benefit News, Kathleen Koster discussed ICV programs implemented by CDS. Featuring our partners IBM and Dow Corning, the article showcases how companies are leveraging the skills of high-performing employees to create positive change in underserved communities, gain new insights in emerging markets, and develop leaders within their organization. To read her article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Read Deirdre White’s new article about International Corporate Volunteerism

CDS CEO Deirdre White’s article, “Corporate Volunteerism in a Global World” was featured in HUM News on June 17th. Deirdre discusses how corporate volunteerism can serve as a leadership development tool for employees, a way for a business to understand new markets, and an innovative method to maintain or advance a company’s commitments to creating sustainable value. To read her article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Read new article about CEICV on the Council on Foreign Relations blog

John Campbell, Senior Fellow for Africa Policy Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, wrote in his blog about the Center of Excellence for International Corporate Volunteerism and CDS’ partnership with USAID and IBM. Exploring how the private sector is engaging in the development of emerging markets, the article talks about how the public-private-social partnership can benefit underserved communities during a time of tight federal budgets. To read the article, click here. For more information on the CEICV, click here or email Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org. To read the May 2011 press release on the CEICV, click here.

Read IBM’s Stan Litow in a Huffington Post article about the CEICV

Stan Litow, President of IBM International Foundation, has written an article for the Huffington Post about the new USAID, IBM, and CDS partnership for the Center of Excellence for International Corporate Volunteerism. Stan talks about how the CEICV will help companies of all sizes develop and implement corporate volunteer programs and explores some of the international development benefits of skills-based volunteerism. To read the article, click here. For more information on the CEICV, click here or email Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org. To read the May 2011 press release on the CEICV, click here.

Read New MSNBC Article about USAID, IBM, and CDS Partnership

Jim Gold, an MSNBC.com reporter, published an article on June 2, 2011 entitled “US foreign aid efforts get a corporate boost.” Exploring the benefits of corporate engagement in emerging markets, the article discusses the new partnership between USAID, IBM, and CDS that will make it easier for companies of all sizes to send professionals abroad for skills-based volunteerism projects through the Center of Excellence for International Corporate Volunteerism. To read the article, click here. For more information on the CEICV, click here or email Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.To read the May 2011 press release on the CEICV, click here.

USAID, IBM, and CDS Launch the Center of Excellence for International Corporate Volunteerism

USAID, IBM, and CDC Development Solutions have launched a new partnership that will increase the number of employee volunteers at U.S.-based corporations by providing meaningful assistance to local governments, small businesses, and civic groups in emerging markets abroad. Corporations large and small looking to start, grow or refine international volunteerism programs will have access to the resources needed to make their projects more effective. As part of the alliance, CDS will establish a virtual Center of Excellence for International Corporate Volunteerism (CEICV).

The virtual Center will function as a forum where companies can exchange best practices, success stories, and timely issues to improve the quality of their services. It will also enable USAID to use the skills of corporate volunteers to maximize development impact worldwide. For more information on the CEICV, click here or email Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.To read the May 2011 press release on the CEICV, click here.

Workforce.com Article Features CDS’ ICV Programs

Workforce.com contributor Heather O’Neill discusses International Corporative Volunteerism in her article, “Corporate America Embracing Their Version of the Peace Corps.” The article explores the ICV programs of Dow Corning, IBM, and Pfizer, and it features conversation with ICV participants who discuss their experiences abroad and how the projects benefited themselves and their companies. To read her article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Read Deirdre White’s Newest Piece on International Corporate Volunteerism

On May 11, 2011, CDS CEO Deirdre White’s article, “Corporate Peace Corps: A New Trend in HR Management” was featured at Human Resources iQ. The article explores the international corporate volunteer programs of IBM and Dow Corning by examining the programs’ positive impact on employees and the broader effects they have on the companies as a whole. To read her article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

ERE.net Community Blog Features Deloitte and MWB

Todd Raphael, Editor in Chief of ERE.net, published a blog article on May 11 featuring CDS' partnership with Deloitte through the MBAs Without Borders program. Discussing how the program is unique, Todd Raphael explains how MBAs Without Borders aligns with Deloitte's philosophy of promoting employee growth by providing opportunities to learn new leadership skills and gain international experience. To read his article, click here. For more information on MBAs Without Borders, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

CDS Supports the Volta River Authority of Ghana

On May 10th, CDS Executive Vice President Bob Webster and CDS Ghana Country Director Barbara Gbologah-Quaye, collaborated with Dr. Michael Warner of Local Content Solutions of the UK to give a presentation to the Volta River Authority of Ghana on how to develop its local content policy. To learn more about CDS’ work in Local Content Development, please contact Shaun Doherty, Supply Chain Practice Leader, at sdoherty@cdc.org. To learn more about CDS’ work in Ghana, please contact Barbara Gbologah-Quaye at barbs@ghana.com.

Employee Benefit News Features CDS’ ICV Programs

Kelley M. Butler, editor in chief of Employee Benefit News, features CDS’ International Corporate Volunteerism Workshop in her blog article, “Sabbaticals, service missions may offer vicarious benefits”. Published on April 26, the article discusses how employees who volunteer can become better workers through new business and leadership skills and extend those benefits to colleagues and their company as a whole. To read her article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

CIPE Development Blog Features CDS' ICV Workshop

On April 21, James Liddell wrote an article on The Center for International Private Enterprise Development Blog featuring CDS’ International Corporate Volunteerism Workshop. Exploring ways companies can benefit from corporate volunteerism program, the article discusses how companies like Intel and Dow Corning are learning key details about emerging markets around the world. To read the article, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Read Deirdre White’s ICV Commentary on Marketwatch.com

On April 7, Deirdre White, CDS President and CEO, was featured on Marketwatch.com for her commentary on how International Corporate Volunteer programs can be a cost-effective leadership development tool for companies engaging in emerging markets. To read Deirdre’s commentary, click here. For more information on CDS’ ICV programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Commends CDS’ JA-FARMS Program

While presenting as the lead speaker at the World Tourism Leaders’ Summit hosted by PATWA (Pacific Area Travel Writers Association), during the International Tourism Exchange (ITB Berlin), in Berlin, Germany recently, Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s minister of tourism, declared that he will work to increase local food supply for the country's tourism industry. And, he mentioned the work that CDS undertook on the USAID-funded Jamaica Farmers Access to Regional Markets program (JA-FARMS) that provided new opportunities for local agribusinesses to access local and regional markets. To read the article on his speech, click here. For more information on CDS’ FARMS model, contact Shaun Doherty, Supply Chain Practice Leader, at sdoherty@cdc.org. 

IBM and CDS Profiled for Great Work in Ghana

The Business and Financial Times Online has written about the great work undertaken by IBM employees participating in the Corporate Service Corps, which CDS manages in Ghana. The IBM Corporate Service Corps participants provided pro bono services over one month to support the Electricity Company of Ghana, SOS Children’s Villages, and the Tema Technical Institute. In the article , CDS Country Director Barbara Gbologah-Quaye is quoted: "Through IBM’s Corporate Service Corps initiative, these three organizations have gained tremendous knowledge which will translate into improved and more efficient services. We believe that through this program IBM is making an impact in sectors key to economic and social development.” Click here to read the article. For more information on CDS’ work with IBM, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Read About CDS and Our Partners on EmployersWeb.com

Read a new article on EmployersWeb.com that discusses our work with two international corporate volunteerism partners—Pfizer and Dow Corning. The article, “Corporate Peace Corps - A New Trend Among HR Professionals,” talks about how CDS’ International Corporate Volunteerism (ICV) work is helping big organizations make an impact, internally and abroad. For more information on CDS’ work in international corporate volunteerism, please click here or contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

See the New Video on Dow Corning's Citizen Service Corps

The Dow Corning Citizen Service Corps—an innovative international corporate volunteer program—started activities with CDS and three local partners in Bangalore in 2010. Click here to watch a new video that tells the story of the first team and its three clients—Ashoka, Envirofit, and Sustaintech. For more information about CDS’ work with Dow Corning and on ICV programs, please contact Gavin Cepelak at gcepelak@cdc.org.

Read About CDS Partners Dow Corning and IBM in the New BCLC Report

On February 4, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Business Civic Leadership Center (BCLC) announced its 2010 Global Corporate Citizenship report, entitled "Frontier Markets. Global Partnerships. Local Solutions." The report highlights case studies of successful private sector-led partnerships addressing today's most serious social and economic development challenges. It highlights Dow Corning’s Citizen Service Corps and IBM’s Corporate Service Corps, both CDS-implemented international corporate volunteerism programs. Click here to read the report. For more information on CDS' work implementing international corporate volunteer programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Read about CDS and Dow Corning in the Harvard Business Review

On January 10, Dow Corning's CEO Stephanie Burns blogged in the Harvard Business Review online about the company's Citizen Service Corps, an international corporate volunteer program that started this year with a focus on India. CDS worked with Dow Corning to send a team of 10 employees to Bangalore to work with three organizations focused on renewable and solar energy. The team's work with Ashoka's Housing for All project is profiled on the blog. Click here to read the article. For more information on CDS' work implementing international corporate volunteer programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

CDS Celebrates 20 Years Engaging Business for a Better World

 

 

CDS was joined by over 200 industry partners on Tuesday November 9, 2010 at Washington D.C.’s Decatur House in celebration of our 20th Anniversary. Joining the festivities was Lorraine Hariton, the State Department’s Special Representative for Commercial and Business Affairs, who used the occasion to announce CDS’ partnership with the Department’s new Global Entrepreneurship Program (GEP). Launched earlier this year at the President’s Summit for Entrepreneurship, the new public-private partnership is designed to spur entrepreneurship in emerging markets.

Among the guests who gathered to honor CDS’ work were representatives from the many government agencies, NGOs, businesses and universities that have partnered with us since our founding by White House initiative in 1990. These included friends from the Council on Foreign Relations, Booz Allen Hamilton, Ashoka, DAI, Chemonics, MCC, the Peace Corps, George Washington University, AED, USAID, and Deloitte. President George H.W. Bush, who announced the formation of what at the time was known as Citizens Democracy Corps, was unable to attend the reception. He did, however, send a note of congratulations commending the organization for expanding on its original mission and for bringing “true and lasting change to untold numbers of individuals and economies around the world."

For more information on CDS, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

CDS Senior Director Michael Levett Presents at CSIS Conference

In November, Senior Director Michael Levett participated in a panel, part of the Entrepreneurship in Challenging Times conference at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), entitled “Private Sector Development in Conflict and Post-Conflict Zones – How Can We Improve the Instruments in the Tool Box?” Listen to the full panel discussion at the CSIS website. The conference, which marked this year’s Global Entrepreneurship Week and was hosted by CSIS in partnership with the Kauffman Foundation, focused on improving approaches to entrepreneurship and private sector development in conflict and natural disaster-affected regions. The conference highlighted the ways in which the U.S. Government, development organizations, and the private sector are addressing this issue.

Also at the CSIS website, listen to Michael Levett's interview with CSIS' Max Entman about the concept of "corporate social investment," and the way the private sector is advancing the development agenda.  For more information about CDS’ work in private sector development around the world, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Read about CDS and Our Clients in The Economist and The Wall Street Journal

On October 28, The Economist profiled IBM’s Corporate Service Corps as an integral part of the company’s strategy to become a globally integrated enterprise. The Corporate Service Corps—which is often described as a corporate version of the Peace Corps—provides leadership and new market development opportunities for top-performing IBM employees. Since 2008, CDS has worked with IBM to field employees to countries in Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America. Click here to read the article.

The Economist Article was followed in early December by another article in The Wall Street Journal, which covered the good work undertaken by CDS clients IBM, Novartis, and Dow Corning on their international corporate volunteer programs.  For more information about CDS’ International Corporate Volunteer programs, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

CDS Joins Clinton Global Initiative and Makes  Commitments in Key Practice Areas

CDS joined the Clinton Global Initiative this year, and President and CEO Deirdre White attended CGI this year. CDS’ two Commitments to Action capitalize on the organization’s depth of experience and innovation in two sectors vital to the growth of small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs) in emerging markets.

With 10,000 Days of Service from the New Global Citizens, CDS will help companies to launch ICV programs, fielding a minimum of 500 volunteers who will provide 10,000 days of service to support social enterprises, governments, and nonprofits in emerging markets over a three year period.

Through its Increasing Local Content – Driving Global Opportunity Commitment, CDS will provide SMEs in emerging markets with the information, training, tools, and networks needed to increase the goods and services they are able to sell to the extractive industries worldwide. To learn more, or to discuss partnerships, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.  

CDS Announces Appointment of Deirdre White as President and CEO

CDC Development Solutions is pleased to announce the appointment of Deirdre White to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer.  Deirdre, who had been President and COO, becomes one of the youngest and one of the few women to lead a major development organization.   She takes on the CEO responsibilities previously handled by Michael Levett, who will continue as Vice Chair of the Board and serve as Senior Director of the organization.  To read the press release about Deirdre's appointment, please click here. 

CDS Launches New Partnership With Novartis

CDS is launching an international corporate volunteer program with Novartis International AG, a Fortune 500 healthcare products company.  Novartis employees will participate in the new initiative--the Entrepreneurial Leadership Program--for which they will work with NGOs and government agencies in the healthcare field to improve service provision and care of patients living with some of the world's most deadly diseases.  The first teams will travel to Tanzania and the Philippines in September, 2010.  For more information, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

CDS Headlines Two Sessions at the Global Local Content Summit in London

Building on our strong Local Content Development practice, CDS has become the go-to organization to deliver best practices to companies in the extractive industries on how to increase the amount of goods and services they procure in emerging markets.  CDS President and CEO, Deirdre White, headlined the session at the September Global Local Content Summit in London entitled "Linking Local Content Policy with Small-Scale Enterprise."  CDS also hosted a half-day workshop at the event: "Project Design for Local Content through Small Scale Enterprise Development--Key Factors for Success."  

CDS staff are also speaking at a number of other oil and gas-focused events this year, including Gulf of Guinea Oil and Gas Week in London and Africa Energy Week in South Africa.  For more information on CDS' work in local content development, please contact Bob Webster.

CDS Expands Partnership with Global Health Organization PATH

CDS continues to expand the reach and impact of its MBA programs, signing an agreement with the global health organization PATH to provide business advisors to work on its water projects in Vietnam, Cambodia, and a number of countries in East Africa.  PATH and CDS will collaborate on the Safe Water Project to make appropriate household water treatment and storage products affordable for middle and low-income families.  For more information on CDS' MBA programs, please contact Kareem Mansour.

CDS Awarded ATA 2010 Outstanding Achievement Award

At the African Travel Association's 35th Congress in Banjul, The Gambia, CDS received the 2010 Award for Outstanding Achievement in Development of Responsible Tourism Within the Continent.  The award recognized the great work undertaken by CDS' TEMPO program in Nigeria.  CDS Senior Advisor Alvin Rosenbaum also hosted a special session at the ATA conference: The State of Tourism in Africa.  The session focused on the successful TEMPO program that CDS implements in Cross River State, Nigeria and introduces CDS' suite of technology services for emerging tourism destinations.  For more information on CDS' tourism work, please contact Alvin Rosenbaum.

CDS Launches 20th Anniversary Celebration

In 1990, the first President Bush envisioned a cadre of volunteer men and women who would dedicate their professional knowledge and expertise to advance the cause of democracy and economic reform in the countries of the former Soviet Union. In its short 20 year life, CDC Development Solutions has expanded that mission to 80 countries on five continents, becoming the leading innovator of market-driven solutions powering economic growth in emerging markets.

To celebrate this milestone, CDS will spearhead a series of special events and initiatives that will both honor its past success and, more importantly, lay the groundwork for a future of continued growth for the company and its partners worldwide. Among the projects will be roundtable discussions on citizen volunteerism, local content development, and tourism; leadership participation at industry events; and the launch of Development Solutions, a monthly e-letter featuring news and information about CDS programs and partners and editorial contributions from industry experts in key practice areas. 

CDS MBA Programs Featured in Bloomberg Businessweek

Bloomberg Businessweek featured MBAs Without Borders and the MBA Enterprise Corps in an April 26 article, "Changing the World, One MBA at a Time." For more information on CDS' MBA programs, please visit our MBAs Without Borders page or contact Kareem Mansour at kmansour@cdc.org.

MBA Enterprise Corps in the News

Two MBA Enterprise Corps long-term business advisors were featured in the Top MBA Guide and the International Business Times. Advisor Anneliese Mueller works on CDS' Supplier Training Initative in Angola, and Jane Nsunwara works on CDS' World Bank-funded tourism development program in Nigeria. Both provide critical business expertise to clients in the private and public sectors. For more information about the MBA Enterprise Corps, please click here.

CDS and IBM Release Case Study on International Corporate Volunteerism Best Practices

CDC Development Solutions and IBM have written a case study based on our work implementing IBM’s Corporate Service Corps employee volunteerism initiative since 2008. The case study addresses the value created by ICV programs, key best practices, and challenges to implementation and expansion. To read the case study, click here. For more information, contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

CDS Offers Support to Haiti

Through our Stability and Economic Recovery Practice, CDC Development Solutions offers significant resources to Haiti as it begins to recover and rebuild. CDS offers volunteers and staff to support rebuilding of the country’s industry, government, and institutions through the expertise of business professionals. CDS also offers support building strong new agribusiness linkages in Haiti through our FARMS regional market linkages program. For more information, please contact Amanda MacArthur by phone at 202-530-7690 or by email at amacarthur@cdc.org.  

The Wall Street Journal Profiles MBAEC and MBAs Without Borders

On November 26, The Wall Street Journal profiled CDC Development Solutions and the great work that our MBA volunteers do in Asia. The article, "Charity Begins at Work", discusses the increasing interest in volunteerism among mid-career professionals and business school graduates, and quotes current MWB volunteer Tim Elliott, who says from Cambodia, "I explicitly left my job because I have decided that I need more in my professional life than a nice title and a big paycheck." To explore opportunities with CDS, please visit the Get Involved section of our website.

CDC Development Solutions congratulates C.D. Glin on his appointment as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for the Peace Corps

While C.D. will certainly be missed at CDS, we are honored that the Obama Administration has recognized the knowledge and experience that he will bring to volunteerism and international development. The board and staff of CDS look forward to C.D.'s future contributions in this important inter-agency coordination role. During his 30-month leave of absence, we will be following his achievements and counting down the days until we welcome him back.

CDS Speaks at Two Africa-Focused Conferences

Caetano Capitao, CDS Deputy Director in Angola, spoke at the annual Gulf of Guinea Oil and Gas conference in London the week of November 16, 2009. Capitao spoke about the great work of CDS and our local NGO—the Centro de Apoio Empresarial in promoting local content through partnerships with the key multinational oil companies in the country (Sonangol, BP, Chevron, Exxon, and Total). In cooperation with the oil majors in Angola, CDS has facilitated $70 million worth of new contracts for local firms in the country. That same week, CDS Senior Tourism Advisor Alvin Rosenbaum spoke at the US-Nigeria Investment Development Summit in Atlanta. Rosenbaum presented CDS’ World Bank-funded Tourism Employment and Opportunity program (TEMPO) in Cross River State, which has created new opportunities for local firms to participate in the tourism supply chain.

JA FARMS Program Featured in Two Key USAID Reports

USAID has featured the CDS Farmers Access to Regional Markets (FARMS) program in two key reports in October: the 2009 Biodiversity Annual Report and the Latin America and Caribbean Focus on Women Newsletter. The FARMS program supports biodiversity and natural resources management by providing low-cost, hurricane-resistant greenhouse technology that allows rural farmers to consistently grow high-value crops instead of utilizing traditional ‘slash and burn’ land clearing practices in protected areas. FARMS is also a model for providing new opportunities for income generation to rural women through the provision of new technology, training, and market linkages services.

To access the USAID 2009 Biodiversity Annual Report, please click here. To access the USAID LAC Focus on Women Newsletter, please click here.

CDS Expands Partnership with Chemonics in Nigeria and Albania

CDS is expanding its partnership with Chemonics on implementation of projects in Nigeria and Albania. In Nigeria, CDS will send MBA Business Advisors through MBAEC to work on the USAID-funded project, Maximizing Agricultural Revenue and Key Enterprises in Target Sites Activity (MARKETS). CDS consultants will work to implement the Global Food Security Response program, and will take leadership and supporting roles to develop the cassava, cowpea, and rice subsectors.

In Albania, CDS Volunteer Advisors will work on the USAID-funded Competitive Enterprise Development Project, which works to increase sales, competitiveness, and jobs in the tourism, textiles/garments, footwear, recycling, and ICT sectors. CDS will send VAs to work specifically as garment pricing experts and to consult in the hotel sector.

CDS Acquires MBAs Without Borders

CDS has acquired MBAs Without Borders, an international organization that empowers local entrepreneurs in developing countries by matching them with top MBA leaders around the world. MBAs Without Borders will allow us to offer a broader range of volunteer opportunities to applicants and to our clients. CDS is now able to offer cutting-edge expertise of recently graduated MBAs from universities all over the world, and we are able to offer volunteer assignments that range from 2 weeks to 15 months. To inquire about MBAs Without Borders or to discuss volunteer opportunities, please contact us at info@mbaswithoutborders.org.

Citizens Development Corps is now CDC Development Solutions!

As we approach our twentieth anniversary of Delivering a World of Experience, CDC Development Solutions has taken stock of our clients, our programs, and our achievements and has made a number of important strategic decisions to take us into our third decade and beyond.  We have changed our name and our look in order to better represent the growth we are undergoing in terms of size, geographic reach, and client base; the increased depth and breadth of our services and programs; and the new realities in economic development. With the launch of the new company identity, we have maintained Citizens Development Corps, MBA Enterprise Corps, Citizens Democracy Corps, and Tourism Development Corps as operating divisions, continuing to provide high quality services to our clients who know us by those names.  Please feel free to explore our new website, and if you have questions or comments, contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org. 

CDC Development Solutions Expands IBM Corporate Service Corps to 7 Countries

CDC Development Solutions has expanded our partnership as IBM’s prime implementing partner on its global Corporate Service Corps initiative. The Corporate Service Corps is an 18-month old initiative under IBM’s Global Citizenship Portfolio, which gives IBM staff access to global business and leadership opportunities as well as training and guidance to enter into new positions that support global economic growth. For the Corporate Service Corps, IBM has teamed with CDS to place teams of its employees with NGOs, government agencies, and small and medium size enterprises in emerging markets for one month special projects. 2009 Corporate Service Corps countries included Brazil, Ghana, India, Nigeria, Romania, South Africa, and Tanzania, with further expansion planned in 2010.  For more information on the Corporate Service Corps, contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

Washington Post Highlights the Work of CDC Development Solutions and MBAEC

On February 6th, the Washington Post profiled the work of CDC Development Solutions and the MBA Enterprise Corps (MBAEC) worldwide and highlighted the unique opportunities for recent MBA graduates to volunteer overseas and have critical impact during the financial crisis. The article noted that, "our own economic recovery depends in part on the financial success of emerging nations." To learn more about the MBA Enterprise Corps and its work around the world, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

CDC Development Solutions Builds on Partnership with the Grassroots Business Fund

CDC Development Solutions and the MBA Enterprise Corps expanded our partnership with the Grassroots Business Fund (GBF) by fielding our first business advisor to India in July of 2009.  We will continue to field MBAEC Business Advisors in Tanzania, Kenya, and India.  GBF—a spinoff of the International Finance Corporation—works to strengthen and expand grassroots enterprises that provide economic access and sustainable services in the most impoverished regions of Africa, Asia and Latin America. GBF provides “patient capital” financing as well as mentoring, strategic assistance, business advice and networking. Its aim is to grow its clients into scalable, sustainable social enterprises. For more information on CDC Development Solutions’ work with GBF, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

CDC Development Solutions Extends Partnership with Equatorial Guinea LNG

CDC Development Solutions has extended our partnership with Equatorial Guinea Liquid Natural Gas (EG LNG) to develop the capacity of local firms and build local content in the LNG industry in Equatorial Guinea. CDC Development Solutions provides technical assistance and training on business plan development, bidding and procurement processes, international marketing and sales techniques, introduction of internationally-accepted accounting standards and methods, and increasing adoption of grades and standards for quality control. For more information on our program in Equatorial Guinea, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

The Wall Street Journal Profiles the IBM Corporate Service Corps

The Wall Street Journal has written an article about the Corporate Service Corps and CDC Development Solutions, entitled “IBM Creates Volunteer Teams to Cultivate Emerging Markets.” For more information on the Corporate Service Corps, please contact Amanda MacArthur at amacarthur@cdc.org.

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Communications Office

CDC Development Solutions’ communications team can put you in touch with staff in the United States and around the world to provide technical background and information or insights into development challenges. Or, we can help you find the facts or story you need. Please contact our home office for assistance.

CDC Development Solutions
1030 15th St, Suite 730
Washington, DC 20005
Phone 1-202-872-0933
Fax 1-202-872-0923
communications@cdc.org

 

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