For decades now, researchers have suspected that investments in early childhood development pay off richly. That is because providing the right intellectual and emotional stimulation to children in their first years could open a new future. It may not only lead to smarter, more prosperous and more socially-adapted adults. It could generate more equality and productivity in … [Read more...] about The Miracle of Parenting Programs?
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Health Benefits from Social Media?
What does it say about someone that he frequently uses words like "idiot", "fake", or "bed" in his tweets? According to a recent paper and IDB seminar by Johannes Eichstaedt, his use of "idiot" signifies hostility or aggression; "fake", hate and interpersonal tension; and "bed," boredom and fatigue. Moreover, it means that he is more at risk for heart disease, a condition … [Read more...] about Health Benefits from Social Media?
The Early Years: A Call for Action
This article by Ariel Fiszbein was originally published on PREAL Blog. The Inter-American Dialogue has given permission to reproduce the text on the IDB’s blog “Ideas Matter.” To read the original article, click here. By Ariel Fiszbein The Inter-American Development Bank released last week its yearly Development in the Americas report. The Early Years deals with one of the … [Read more...] about The Early Years: A Call for Action
Health vs. Education: A Tale of Two Sectors
The history of health and education over the last half century is a tale of two sectors, one vastly more dynamic and successful than the other. On the bright side, Latin America — and much of the world — has made immense progress in eradicating diseases that caused death, deformities and suffering, like smallpox and polio. Advances in primary health care, including … [Read more...] about Health vs. Education: A Tale of Two Sectors
External Aid and Government Capacity Building
A recent report by AidData (summarized in the Washington Post ) shows that Multilateral Banks “exert larger-than-expected agenda-setting influence on the basis of their financial contributions.” That is, institutions such as the IDB and the World Bank influence the setting of the reform agenda and help countries develop policies beyond what their actual financial contributions … [Read more...] about External Aid and Government Capacity Building