*By German Sturzenegger y Gastón Gertner How random selection of beneficiaries can promote transparency A few months ago, together with a team of IDB Specialists and government officials from Bolivia’s Ministry of Environment & Water (MMAYA), we arrived to Sica Sica, a municipality located in La Paz Department, to supervise a random selection of communities through a … [Read more...] about Water by lottery draw?
Who cares if you don’t pay your taxes?
By Carlos Scartascini Tax evasion is endemic in many countries. In particular, some developing countries like Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Guatemala do not collect even half of what they should if taxpayers complied with the written letter of the law, according to recent studies summarized in Corbacho, Fretes Cibils, and Lora (2013). This problem is … [Read more...] about Who cares if you don’t pay your taxes?
Corruption: peeking below the tip of the iceberg
By: Isabel Contreras and Juanita Riaño (IADB´s Office of Institutional Integrity) Every year on December 9 the International Anti-Corruption Day is celebrated. This year’s message reminds us that we all have a responsibility in the fight against corruption, as it hinders achieving our goals of sustainable development, and reducing poverty and inequality in Latin-America … [Read more...] about Corruption: peeking below the tip of the iceberg
Try, learn, iterate, adapt
Lant Pritchett’s alternative road to development effectiveness by Gastón Gertner* Is my work at IDB so far from this road? A few weeks ago, I sat at an Impact Evaluation Seminar organized by the Office of Evaluation & Oversight at the Inter-American Development Bank. Lant Pritchett delivered a provocative presentation: a sassy cocktail mix equally balanced in wit, … [Read more...] about Try, learn, iterate, adapt
A road, a market, a challenge
By: France Francois When most people hear the term “market” they picture an orderly scene with vendors perched at their stalls, selling goods to potential clients casually strolling by. The colorful scene at Marché de Poteau (Poteau Market) outside of Gonaïves in central Haiti immediately challenged that notion for the participants of the Fourth Annual Involuntary … [Read more...] about A road, a market, a challenge