By Daniela Del Boca The school year that just began in some parts of Latin America and the United States completely changes the routine of mothers, who sometimes have to perform a juggling act to accommodate new schedules and activities on the family calendar. But the beginning of classes also makes the life of working mothers easier now that children are in school most of … [Read more...] about School and Day Care: Working Mothers’ Best Friends
Social Issues
The Beauty of a Bedtime Story
International literacy day on September 8th offers a new opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of literacy to individuals and society. Being able to read and write can impact people’s lives on many levels. It can enable a person to read a sign on the street, enjoy reading a book, complete an education, land a job, earn an income to provide for his or her family and … [Read more...] about The Beauty of a Bedtime Story
From Oliver Twist to Harry Potter: The Story of Children’s Rights
Samuel Berlinski and Florencia López-Boo What do Harry Potter and Oliver Twist have in common? They’re both orphans, yes. But also —centuries apart— they embody the concept of childhood in the respective times and societies of the authors who created them. The idea of what it means to be a child has evolved throughout history to reach its present version, in which children … [Read more...] about From Oliver Twist to Harry Potter: The Story of Children’s Rights
Who Decides Social Policy?
Why do bureaucracies get so bloated? Why have efforts to improve education struggled? Why have attempts at administrative reform failed? Such questions confound Latin American nations as they strive to make their social and economic programs more effective. They frustrate donor agencies as they watch their carefully-tailored technical assistance come up short. But they also … [Read more...] about Who Decides Social Policy?
A Call for Development: When a Phone Alone Can Alleviate Poverty
While the technology world is caught in a flurry of speculation about the potential new features of the next iPhone, expected to be released in late September, a simple mobile phone with basic features is having a meaningful impact as a tool to alleviate poverty in the developing world. When it comes to the poor, telephony is the Information and Telecommunications Technology … [Read more...] about A Call for Development: When a Phone Alone Can Alleviate Poverty