2016 Moynihan Lecture

Описание: In this era of stark political divisions, the 2016 Daniel Patrick Moynihan Prize has been awarded to two individuals who have spent their careers focused on putting strong social policy ahead of partisan differences. Drs. Ron Haskins and Isabel Sawhill have worked together for decades to help reframe the debate about poverty and inequality, focusing on child well-being, healthy families and social mobility.

In their lecture before the awards ceremony, Sawhill addressed the transformation of the American family through unwed births and the rise of single parenting. In her speech, she proposes concrete, evidence-based recommendations on how public policy can benefit families and the broader society.

Haskins continued the lecture with comments on evidence-based initiatives that promote strong families and expand opportunity. He also updated arguments from his recent book, which was focused on how the Obama Administration has funded social programs based on the extent to which they show evidence of success.

The event will concluded with a discussion — moderated by Kenneth Prewitt, president of the hosting American Academy of Political and Social Science and former director of the U.S. Census — on the use of social science in public policymaking and wrapped up with audience Q&A. Richard Reeves, senior fellow in economic studies at The Brookings Institution (as are Haskins and Sawhill), gave opening remarks.

Haskins and Sawhill together established The Brookings Center on Children and Families. Previously, Sawhill served in the Clinton Administration in the Office of Management and Budget, while Haskins worked for the Republican Majority for the House Ways and Means Committee. Haskins later served as senior adviser for welfare policy in the second Bush administration.