We all remember a favorite teacher from school, often a teacher who taught us to read and write and introduced us to the world of literacy. Literacy, after all, is part of the journey to knowledge in all subjects, and is crucial for our future health, political participation, and professional success. It is hardly surprising that we would remember with fondness those teachers … [Read more...] about Teaching Teachers to Boost Early Literacy
Implications of a New Global Financial Landscape for the Southern Cone
Global financial markets are at a crossroads, subject to increased short-term uncertainty as well as structural shifts, both of which pose risks to the macroeconomic and development outlook of emerging economies. To start with, central banks around the world are aggressively tightening monetary policy to fight inflation. This has complex ramifications for exchange rate … [Read more...] about Implications of a New Global Financial Landscape for the Southern Cone
Gender Bias and the Electoral Incentives of Female Politicians
Researchers have documented that female leaders tend to make different policy decisions than male leaders, especially in developing countries. They have been shown, for instance, to be less prone to corruption than men and to invest more in certain public goods, like health and education. But less is known about why female leaders make different choices. One possible … [Read more...] about Gender Bias and the Electoral Incentives of Female Politicians
Persistent Fiscal Deficits May Lead to Disaster for Latin America and the Caribbean
Latin America and the Caribbean faces a punishing economic landscape. Fiscal deficits and debt levels have risen as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and with monetary policy tightening in the United States and Europe, the era of cheap and easy financing is over. In this ever more thorny environment, the region needs to urgently … [Read more...] about Persistent Fiscal Deficits May Lead to Disaster for Latin America and the Caribbean
Digitalizing Public Services to Improve Lives in Latin America and the Caribbean
Over the last decade, Latin America and the Caribbean has become increasingly digitalized, with the spread of internet use to roughly three-quarters of the population, a rapid proliferation of smartphones, and the emergence of numerous new digital companies worth over a billion dollars in areas such as commerce and finance. This digital revolution has had visible impacts on … [Read more...] about Digitalizing Public Services to Improve Lives in Latin America and the Caribbean