ADS Chapter 558 - Public Activity

The primary objective of this chapter is to encourage USAID employees to engage with the public and private sectors, sharing information about USAID activities and programs. The Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) plays a crucial role in coordinating and scheduling public appearances by the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator. LPA also clears written materials for publication on matters of official concern to USAID. The Executive Secretariat (ES) receives all invitations for public appearances by the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator and works with LPA to schedule and plan such appearances. Bureaus/Independent Offices (B/IOs) and officers are responsible for forwarding requests for public appearances by the Administrator, Deputy Administrator, or other senior USAID officials to ES. They also clear written materials of official concern produced by USAID employees for publication in the United States, which pertain to the policies or activities of the office/bureau. Mission Directors are responsible for clearing written materials of official concern produced by USAID employees for publication in their host countries. USAID employees are responsible for submitting written materials of official concern to be published for approval by the appropriate office/bureau or mission director and by LPA. They must also provide an appropriate disclaimer on all published written materials not of official concern. USAID employees are prohibited from receiving any fee for materials published as a matter of official business and from engaging in any domestic political activities as prohibited by statute. The chapter outlines specific procedures for invitations and scheduling, speeches and public presentations, publications, and political activity. For instance, when a Bureau/Independent Office (B/IO) or officer receives an invitation for a public appearance by the Administrator or any other senior USAID official, the office/bureau or officer shall immediately forward the request to the Executive Secretariat (ES). The Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) shall coordinate and schedule, in cooperation with ES, all public appearances and speaking engagements by the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator. LPA shall assist any USAID employee preparing a speech for public presentation by providing policy direction, message guidance, talking points, and USAID public education materials. LPA shall also make available all speeches by the Administrator and the Deputy Administrator to be used as guidance in developing speeches for other offices/bureaus and officers. The chapter also emphasizes the importance of transparency and accountability in public activity. USAID employees shall not accept fees or honoraria for public presentations on matters of official business, as prohibited by statute. They shall also include a specific statement to the effect that the opinions and views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of USAID, when publishing materials which are not of official concern but which might be thought to be USAID related. In terms of publications, USAID employees shall submit all written materials relating to the work of USAID which have been written by USAID personnel for publication in the United States to LPA for clearance prior to publication. The Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs (LPA) shall conduct its review and either approve or disapprove material to be published within 30 calendar days after receipt thereof, except in extraordinary circumstances. The chapter concludes by emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended, and other relevant laws and regulations. USAID employees shall not undertake speaking or writing activities relating to domestic United States politics, as prohibited by law.