Ultimately, this thought essay calls for something that we should all seek in international development which is a more efficient and collaborative approach to the work that we do that ultimately would drive better outcomes for the communities and people we serve.

As 2020 begins, it is important to reflect on the top developments that occurred in Africa, in U.S.-Africa relations, and in Africa's role in the global arena over the past year.

Those of us who work in those regions were dismayed by this unfortunate characterization. We worried that such rhetoric could hamper efforts to change international development dialogue.

Although almost 25 percent of Ugandans live under the national poverty line, little is known about the residents of the Kampala slums, especially pertaining to how conditions compare to other global baselines and how existing conditions affect public policy and service delivery.