As Covid-19 threatened the health and economic survival of millions of people around the world, the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and the public sector rallied to make quick and decisive investments that have led to better treatments and vaccines that could soon turn the corner in the fight against … [Read more...] about Boosting Global Innovation in Education
Social Issues
The New GDLab Takes on Discrimination and Inequality
Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the most unequal regions of the world, with the richest 10% of the population earning 22 times more than the poorest 10%. Inequalities in the region stem in part from cultural origin, gender, ethnicity, and sexual orientation and are deeply rooted in history and social norms. While poverty-reduction policies that target income … [Read more...] about The New GDLab Takes on Discrimination and Inequality
Using Social Network Analysis to Identify Decision-Makers and Improve Public Policy
Latin America has achieved significant social progress in recent decades. From the 1990s through 2019, poverty fell by almost 50 percent: mortality in children under five was cut by more than half; and primary school education became nearly universal. But while significant investment was made to accomplish those outcomes, much more could have been achieved if it wasn’t for … [Read more...] about Using Social Network Analysis to Identify Decision-Makers and Improve Public Policy
Not the Usual Recession: Why Inequality after Covid-19 May Get a Lot Worse
It is tempting to view the severe economic downturn of the Covid-19 pandemic through the same lens as other recessions that have struck Latin American and the Caribbean over the last three decades. Most of those previous events, after all, led to increases in poverty and unemployment, much as the current crisis has done. But when it comes to inequality, one of the region's most … [Read more...] about Not the Usual Recession: Why Inequality after Covid-19 May Get a Lot Worse
Understanding Social Unrest in Latin America
The last quarter of 2019 shocked Latin America with massive demonstrations on the streets of Chile, Colombia, Ecuador and other countries. Protesters had many demands, but there was a common theme: equal treatment, better opportunities for all, and a more level playing field. Why did these perfectly valid demands erupt like a volcano after two decades of progress and a … [Read more...] about Understanding Social Unrest in Latin America