Founders' Lecture: Doug Muir

Founders' Lecture: Doug Muir USAID

By Jacob Muir

My dad works with the United States agency for International Development (USAID). He came to school back in November to talk about his work.

Back in 2017, my dad was offered a job as chief of party of a project here in Moldova. When the choices are Bangladesh, Moldova and Afghanistan, it’s not hard to choose! He works to improve the trade and infrastructure in Moldova, mostly centered around the 5 major crossing points on the Romanian-Moldovan border.

When he came to our school, he talked mostly about USAID in general than about his job, and the how’s and why’s of the agency. He talked about “soft power” which is how a country can influence another country via non-violent ways. USAID is a tool of American soft power, it works to advance American interests, but also work to help people and make their lives better. I think the lecture was very interesting and encouraged people to attend them.