The Academy for Educational Development (AED) once was an effective non-profit organization in the field of addressing global challenges through education, health, and economic development initiatives. Founded in 1961 by Alvin C. Eurich and Sidney Tickton, AED has since operated until 2011 and put a footprint across communities around the globe.

Founding and Mission

This was the basic theme of the mission of Academy for Educational Development (AED), which is to uplift education, health, and economic opportunities for deprived people in their own countries or in the United States. The technical assistance was initially provided by the organization for higher education management in the U.S. Later on, AED extended its scope to the areas of instructional technology, educational reform, and civil society concerns both at home and abroad.

Global Reach and Program Areas

During its five-decadal life span, Academy for Educational Development (AED) operated over 250 programs across the US and in 150 other countries. The organization divided its efforts into five main areas of programs:

• Global Health, Population, and Nutrition: Its programs are oriented towards improving the healthsome conditions such as maternal and child health, infectious diseases, and nutrition. Among those learned programs are to promote healthy behavior and access services, as well as provide supportive health systems. 
• International Learning: AED has worked towards improving educational access for individuals in developing countries on capacity building and development of new instructional technologies for sustainable improvements in educational systems. 
• Leadership and Institutional Development: AED put investment, to note, that whilst strong leadership and institutions are necessary in driving the development agenda, it also means that it needs to invest in systems building for organizations and individuals through such means as leadership training and organizational development. 
• Social Change: All its programs aim to bring about positive social behaviors and provide support for civil society initiatives dealing with issues such as gender equality, civic engagement, and community development. 
• U.S. Education and Workforce Development: AED also worked in the United States to enhance educational results and improve workforce development. All programs had equity and inclusion as principles in assuring that all persons would have a chance for success.

Notable Projects and Achievements

Academy for Educational Development (AED) executed some significant landmark programs and has shown in international development:

• HIV/AIDS Education in Africa: AED was one of the key partners in the fight against HIV/AIDS in sub-Saharan Africa with various indigenous local governments and NGOs to build sustainable healthcare systems.
• Basic Education Program in Egypt: This program had the objective of improving school curricula, teacher training, and a learning environment and thus addressed issues of access to education and of education quality. 
• Education Quality Improvement Program in Peru and El Salvador: These programs were directed at improving literacy, workforce training, and rural health, thus having an overall contribution to the development of the area. 

Partnership and Collaboration

AED’s success owes a lot to building partnerships with various stakeholders-from government agencies, through non-governmental organizations, across private sector partners, and finally to community groups. AED was a member of the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition and actively partnered with the New York City Department of Education to provide technical assistance to public schools.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite its achievements, Academy for Educational Development (AED) faced significant challenges:

• Executive Compensation Dispute:The AED was slammed with criticism in 2009 when the news about then-President Stephen Moseley’s total compensation for 2007 pegged at an astonishing amount of $879,530 came to light. This raised eyebrows regarding the financial management of the organization.
• USAID Suspension: In December 2010, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) suspended AED from new federal service contracts because “serious corporate misconduct” was found against the previous investigations of its spending practices from Pakistan and Afghanistan.

• Settlement Agreement with U.S. Government: On June 30, 2011, AED signed a settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice, agreeing to pay more than $5 million to settle allegations under the False Claims Act regarding improper oversight and management of USAID projects.

Transition to FHI 360

At the same moment as the settlement agreement, AED transferred practically all its existing programs and personnel to another USAID contractor, Family Health International, creating a new entity: FHI 360. AED was considered as having effectively ceased to exist.

Legacy and Impact

In its five decades of existence, Academy for Educational Development (AED) contributed massively to the areas of education, health, and economic development in order to benefit millions through knowledge, skills, and opportunities. AED may now have closed but the work it did continues to live on through some of those programs and initiatives picked up by other organizations; this is so that the vision of a better world lives on.

Conclusion

The Academy for Educational Development was not just another nonprofit organization; it was a catalyst of change and a hope-bringer for all populations at risk around the globe. The influence of AED was so extensive and innovative in education, health, and economic development that it has ultimately changed lives. This indeed has set an example of how education and development can impact people’s lives and transform communities and societies to the betterment.