In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake which struck Haiti in 2010, killing more than 220,000 people and leaving 1 million homeless, governments and multilateral organizations gathered in New York to pledge an unprecedented $10 billion in emergency aid and long-term reconstruction. “Our goal is not to rebuild. It is to build back better,” said then U.N. … [Read more...] about Natural Disasters: How Nations Build Resilience
Social Issues
Interactive Learning: Making it Work in Latin America
Can technology improve education? For most educators, advances in computational capacity and artificial intelligence open the doors to potential revolutions in learning. So do increases in mobile devices and broadband access. Interactive textbooks, using web-based animations and videos, allow students to visually grasp math, science and engineering issues in ways that were … [Read more...] about Interactive Learning: Making it Work in Latin America
Behavioral Economics for Better Public Policies
Would you save more if 10% of your paycheck was automatically deposited into a separate account in your name? Would you feel more obliged to pay your taxes if you knew all the neighbors on your block had paid them? And would you use the hand dryer instead of a paper towel in a public bathroom if a notice reminded you of the environmental impact of cutting down trees? The … [Read more...] about Behavioral Economics for Better Public Policies
Latin America, the Caribbean and PISA: The Long Road Ahead
Over the last 25 years, Latin American and Caribbean nations have bet heavily on education as a route to more equitable and prosperous societies. Today, the region spends on average 3 percentage points more of its GDP on education than in the early 1990s, with spending fast approaching levels in the developed world. Enrollment in primary school has become nearly universal and … [Read more...] about Latin America, the Caribbean and PISA: The Long Road Ahead
Latin America and Trump: the IDB’s Chief Economist Identifies Potential Opportunities for the Region
Latin America, like the rest of the world, cautiously awaits the beginning of Donald Trump's presidency in the United States. There is great anticipation to see if the president elect fulfills his campaign promises—many of them already played down—and how his government's policies affect the region. In an interview with the Spanish daily El País, the IDB's chief economist, José … [Read more...] about Latin America and Trump: the IDB’s Chief Economist Identifies Potential Opportunities for the Region