Jamaican schools apply eight “effectiveness” factors to improve student’s performance and behavior. By Cynthia Hobbs* What is an effective school? What makes some schools perform better than others? Jamaica’s Ministry of Education commissioned a School Effectiveness Study through a technical cooperation with the Inter-American Development Bank to answer these … [Read more...] about A hands on approach to improving schools in Jamaica
Cultural heritage: A new engine for Chile’s development
By Verónica Adler and Cristian Heinsen Planella* The program to restore churches in Sacorama not only preserves Chile’s cultural heritage, but is also a driver of development and unity in the community. Preserving a tradition Norita is a 55-year-old woman who lives in the Andean village of Socorama situated 3,050 meters above sea level in the mountain region of Arica … [Read more...] about Cultural heritage: A new engine for Chile’s development
Stitching a more sustainable garment industry for Haiti
By Pablo Antón-Diaz and Viviane Azevedo* The Haitian-based garment company, Industrial Revolution, shows it is possible to operate both efficiently and profitably, while still maintaining healthy, dignified and equitable working conditions. Over the past few decades, major clothing and footwear brands and retailers in the developed world have almost completely … [Read more...] about Stitching a more sustainable garment industry for Haiti
Saving the Guyanese forest
By Gerard Alleng and Sara Valero* Guyana sets an example on how to use technology to monitor deforestation and protect tropical forest. Guyana is a relatively small, heavily forested country, on the Northern coast of South America. It has a population of 750,000 predominantly settled along the coast. In 2009, the Government of Guyana undertook its first national … [Read more...] about Saving the Guyanese forest
Housing for all: Lessons from Suriname
By Carolina Piedrafita* Suriname finds an affordable housing solution for less than $15,000. Mrs. Urmie Elisabeth Wijnstein is a single mother in Paramaribo, the capital of Suriname. She has a steady job cleaning government offices, but with a salary of just US$260 a month she never was able to rent or buy her own home. She had to live with her mother, sharing a room … [Read more...] about Housing for all: Lessons from Suriname