September 9th: Arriving at my destination to speak at a Venture Capital conference sponsored by a local government agency. September 10th and 12th: Attending the inauguration of the country’s Start-Up program and meeting the women behind that initiative and Startup Weekend. Listening to the manager of a prestigious private sector incubator. September 11th and 12th: Meeting … [Read more...] about A country is hit by the entrepreneurial bug and start-up culture
How does decentralizing the government make buying a pencil easier?
Decentralization and Local Government Strengthening Program II (DLGP II) is the continuation of the first project under the same name, which was also financed by the IDB. DLGP II continues to support Suriname’s local government decentralization efforts and to contribute toward attaining a core legal framework, the program also assists new pilot districts of Paramaribo, … [Read more...] about How does decentralizing the government make buying a pencil easier?
Healing for the Victim and the Offender Part I
The gun was pointed directly at us. What scared me was not so much the gun but the crazed look in the 18-year-old’s eyes. It was as if anything done at that moment would make him jump and inadvertently pull the trigger. I, at 15 years old, was paralyzed with fear. My brother gently eased my seat back and told me to stay low. He slowly stepped out of his car. I remember the … [Read more...] about Healing for the Victim and the Offender Part I
Smallness hurts, but does it constrain growth?
Recent research presented in Is There a Caribbean Sclerosis? Stagnating Economic Growth in the Caribbean and Does Size Matter? Yes, If You are Caribbean! shows that small economies—defined as countries with populations of less than 3 million—face several unique size-driven macroeconomic challenges and discusses whether or not smallness actually represents a binding constraint … [Read more...] about Smallness hurts, but does it constrain growth?
Ready? Action!
Meet Action Jackson. Action is the epitome of what one would call a Bahamian icon. Born April 30th, 1965 and given the official name, Whitfield Morley, Action Jackson is a limbo and fire dancer as well as a fisherman. Action’s journey into becoming a limbo dancer is an interesting one. After he and his wife divorced, he “was stressed out” and found himself in a difficult … [Read more...] about Ready? Action!