By Mercedes Mateo and David Evans Assessments can generate mixed feelings and even rejection. However, they are an opportunity to improve and set future goals. A reflection on the role of assessments in learning. Assessing learning shouldn’t be controversial. We measure things that we want to see change. If we want to get better at a sport, we count our goals … [Read more...] about Why Measuring is Important for Learning
Mercedes Mateo Díaz
Mercedes Mateo-Berganza Díaz is the Chief of the Education Division at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), where she leads a large team of specialists and professionals dedicated to transforming education and strengthening learning ecosystems across the region. Her work spans various areas of international development and social policy, with a strong emphasis on improving human capital and reducing inequality. Dr. Mateo-Berganza has made significant contributions in the fields of institutional reform, social cohesion, early childhood, skills development, and labor force participation. She holds a PhD in Political Science from the University of Louvain and has been both a postdoctoral fellow at the Belgian Scientific Research Foundation and a Marie Curie fellow at the Robert Schuman Centre of the European University Institute. Mercedes Mateo-Berganza Díaz es la Jefa de la División de Educación en el Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo (BID), donde lidera un amplio equipo de especialistas y profesionales dedicados a transformar la educación y fortalecer los ecosistemas de aprendizaje en toda la región. Su trabajo abarca diversas áreas en el ámbito del desarrollo internacional y la política social, con un fuerte énfasis en mejorar el capital humano y reducir la desigualdad. La Dra. Mateo-Berganza ha realizado contribuciones significativas en los campos de la reforma institucional, la cohesión social, la primera infancia, el desarrollo de habilidades y la participación en la fuerza laboral. Posee un doctorado en Ciencia Política de la Universidad de Lovaina y ha sido investigadora postdoctoral en la Belgian Scientific Research Foundation e investigadora Marie Curie en el Centro Robert Schuman del Instituto Universitario Europeo.
Building a Stronger Society: The Role of Global Citizenship Skills in Democracy
This is an election year, and Latin America and the Caribbean face three major social, economic, and political challenges at the dawn of the 21st century: reducing poverty, increasing competitiveness, and consolidating integration. Democracy is our most powerful tool for addressing global challenges and we must defend it as one of humanity's greatest achievements. That´s why we … [Read more...] about Building a Stronger Society: The Role of Global Citizenship Skills in Democracy
Learnings from the Amazon: Innovative Strategies to Transform Education
Twenty-five years ago, in a place like Pomeroon in Guyana, children took about 3 hours to reach school. Today, many of the 12 million girls, boys, and adolescents living in the 8 countries of the Amazon still face similar challenges. Moreover, these issues are not unique to the Amazon but also occur in other countries in the region. Today, students like Alejandra Santiago Da … [Read more...] about Learnings from the Amazon: Innovative Strategies to Transform Education
Celebrating Global Citizenship Skills on World Youth Skills Day
Call for proposals: We’re looking for impact evaluations of interventions that promote Global Citizenship Skills in Latin America and the Caribbean! Apply here: https://forms.gle/A8GhVXSDvb9YhYxB8 Imagine stepping into a vibrant classroom, where students from diverse backgrounds come together, sharing their unique perspectives and experiences. The teacher guides a lively … [Read more...] about Celebrating Global Citizenship Skills on World Youth Skills Day
Learning Can’t Wait: Solutions to Overcoming the Education Crisis
When it comes to education, there's no time to waste. The latest results from the 2022 PISA tests revealed a profound learning crisis in Latin America and the Caribbean, where three out of four students do not achieve basic levels in mathematics. The solutions to overcome this education crisis exist. This blog post presents a path forward with proven solutions to tackle the … [Read more...] about Learning Can’t Wait: Solutions to Overcoming the Education Crisis