As the COVID-19 pandemic struck, public sector employees were on the front line, crucial to policies to limit the contagion and alleviate its economic effects. Collaboration—and hence trust—was essential. Whether working in public health agencies or in communications roles, public sector employees had to work together to implement decisions made at the political level. They had … [Read more...] about What the Pandemic Revealed about the Role of Trust in Public Sector Performance
Productivity Growth at the Sectoral Level and the Road to Recovery from COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted one the largest and most intricate economic disruptions in modern history. Latin America and the Caribbean, with 8% of the world's population but more than 25% of its deaths, was particularly hard hit, and unfortunately, the war against the virus is far from over. Even before the health crisis subsides, however, much work needs to be done. … [Read more...] about Productivity Growth at the Sectoral Level and the Road to Recovery from COVID-19
How New Predictive Models and Timely Data Lead to Better Public Policy Decisions
In recent years, advances in the standardization and statistical treatment of standard variables have allowed greater precision in the reporting of short- and long-term economic activity, including, among others, GDP, inflation, and the unemployment rate. But the application of the complex, technical methodologies required in arriving at those calculations has also delayed the … [Read more...] about How New Predictive Models and Timely Data Lead to Better Public Policy Decisions
To Fight Crime, Increase Trust
Although only 9% of the world’s population lives in Latin America and the Caribbean, the region accounts for a third of the world’s homicides. The cost of crime and violence in our region is very high: crime takes large numbers of lives, affects people’s safety and welfare, and hampers economic development. As evidence of this, one out of three people in the region say crime is … [Read more...] about To Fight Crime, Increase Trust
Text Messaging Parents to Boost Student Performance
We've all known kids who joke around in class, get up to mischief, and even skip school altogether, yet manage to ultimately thrive. But they are glaring exceptions. Classroom misbehavior and absenteeism, along with failing grades, are strong warning signs that a student is likely to repeat a grade or give up on school altogether down the line. In Latin America, where only 53% … [Read more...] about Text Messaging Parents to Boost Student Performance