Brookings: Topics - Global Poverty

The Global Food Crisis: "The Silent Tsunami"

Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

November 24, 2009, 1:30 PM to 02:45 PM

On November 24, Global Economy and Development at Brookings will host a discussion on nutrition, school feeding programs and food security in the developing world. Over the past five years, droughts in grain-producing nations, increased oil prices and sales of corn to produce biofuels have contributed to skyrocketing food prices and lower quantities of food reserves. Issues of food and food security differ in complexity across state, national and regional boundaries, often depending on the strength of a country’s economy and the stability of its political leadership.

The U.S. Should Encourage Structural Transformation Strategies in Africa

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

U.S. Deputy Secretary of Treasury Neal Wolin's visit to three African nations demonstrates the commitment by the current administration to African development issues. Ernest Aryeetey urges Deputy Secretary Wolin to focus on sustainable development and encourage countries to establish frameworks for long-term growth.

India and a Carbon Deal

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

There is an emerging consensus among governments that aggressive climate change mitigation would be desirable, though they remain divided about how the associated burden should be shared. Urjit Patel argues that a burden sharing criterion which involves emissions permit allocation to each developing country would be a fair deal and discusses how this would affect India.

Teaching and Learning in Emergencies, Chronic Crises, and Early Recovery

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 27, 2009, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

In contexts of crisis and emergency, resuming education delivery is increasingly regarded as a vital part of the humanitarian response and plays an important role in protecting citizens while laying a sustainable foundation for recovery, peace, and development. The Center for Universal Education convened a consultative workshop on October 27 with the Inter-Agency Network on Education in Emergencies (INEE) focused on the development of the INEE Guidance Notes on Teaching and Learning in Emergencies, Chronic Crises, and Early Recovery.

1000 Days to the 7th Billion Human: What Do We Tell Her?

Mon, 26 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In 1,000 days, the seventh billion human being joins the rest of us on Planet Earth. Hakan Altinay poses the question, "What would we tell her?" and reflects on the advances the world has made and critical risks that still exist. He proposes that this occasion offers us a chance to reflect on the human condition and implicit responsibilities we have toward other human beings and future generations.

U.S. Private Philanthropy

Tue, 20 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A striking gap has emerged in the United States between official government aid and private aid. As the U.S. government reviews its external development assistance, some believe the deliberations will not reflect how those outside Washington think about development. Homi Kharas discusses what motivates private aid donors and the impact they make.

Africa's (Large)⁴ Problem

Thu, 15 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

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There is wide agreement that the African developmental problem is largely rooted in its institutions. Mwangi Kimenyi discusses the link between size and the quality of governance in African countries.

Case Study on Aid Effectiveness in Tajikistan

Wed, 14 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Official Development Aid grew significantly from 1992 to 2006; and transformed from mostly humanitarian aid and food assistance to financing the reforms and development of Tajikistan. In this case study, Rustam Aminjanov, Matin Kholmatov, and Firuz Kataev present Tajikistan's perspective of, experiences with, and challenges to foreign aid.

Do Philanthropic Citizens Behave Like Governments?

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Rapid growth in private development aid raises a host of questions regarding the allocation of aid and its selectivity across recipient countries. Raj Desai and Homi Kharas analyze giving patterns from two large, internet-based non-profit organizations and discuss the need for private and official aid partnerships.

Contemporary Development Challenges in Kenya

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 09:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 01, 2009, 9:30 AM to 11:00 AM

In October 2009 a high-level delegation of officials from the office of the president and government of Kenya visited the Brookings Institution. The event, which was hosted by the Africa Growth Initiative, included discussion on the key political, economic, and social challenges currently affecting Kenya’s development.

Universal Education is an Investment for America

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

President Obama's speech at the Clinton Global Initiative on September 22 stressed the importance of international development in a globalized world. Rebecca Winthrop outlines the benefits to Americans of supporting international development causes, with particular attention to universal education.

The 0.85 Percent Solution for Low-Income Countries

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

A topic of discussion at previous G-20 summits, IBRD resources are central to helping poor countries survive this economic crisis. Homi Kharas discusses the importance of making IBRD resources much more widely available to promote development and urges G-20 leaders to continue talks about this issue at the summit in Pittsburgh.

President Obama and the Spirit of Global Development Partnership

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The key feature of President Obama's speech on September 22 at the Clinton Global Initiative was a call for a new spirit of global partnership, with respect to aiding the world's poor and countering transnational treats. Noam Unger discusses steps the U.S. government could take to advance global development efforts.

Three Reasons the Americans Should Support Global Education

Wed, 23 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One year after committing to a $2 billion Global Fund for Education, President Obama returned to the Clinton Global Initiative on September 22 to speak about international development. Rebecca Winthrop discusses the importance of renewing the commitment to education in the developing world and its relevance to all Americans.

Obama's Commitment to the World's Children

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

One year after making a major commitment to give every child the chance to attend school, President Barak Obama addressed the opening session at the Clinton Global Initiative's 2009 Annual Meeting on September 22. David Gartner discusses the urgency of the Global Fund for Education's creation and the unique opportunity Obama has to lead the world towards universal education.

Climate Change Policy: Recommendations to Reach Consensus

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the financial crisis continues to take its toll on the global economy, another serious challenge looms large: preventing the planet from warming more than 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit. Brookings experts and colleagues from the public and private sectors develop strategies and provide recommendations to policymakers who are now faced with the daunting task of stabilizing the climate without dampening economic recovery.

Four Ways to Help Africa?

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In response to a Wall Street Journal article by former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs Jendayi E. Frazer, Brookings expert Mwangi Kimenyi urges that U.S. policy toward Africa should be defined by a sustainable agenda whose focus is economic development.

A Global Fund for Education: Achieving Education for All

Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In order to realize the world’s commitment to ensuring education for all by 2015, important innovations and reforms will be needed in the governance and financing of global education. David Gartner advises that the Global Fund for Education holds the key and outlines a set of core principles to guide the fund.

Quality and Coordination of Official Development Aid in Pakistan

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Pakistan has historically received large volumes of aid but it has also faced an increasingly difficult task of aid coordination. Abdul Malik examines aid quality and discusses its implication for the coordination and effectiveness of aid.

A Nigerian-American Partnership Beckons

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Following State Hillary Clinton's visit to Nigeria at the end of her 11-day tour of African nations, Richard Joseph says that Nigeria has a historic opportunity to address its myriad problems. "Nigeria and the United States," Joseph writes, "could initiate a new era of cooperation based on shared commitments to constitutional democracy, the strengthening of open, multi-ethnic and multi-religious societies and laying the foundations for sustainable and equitable growth."

Making Africa a Priority in U.S. Foreign Assistance

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's multi-nation tour of Africa highlights America's development aid imbalance. Last year, the United States directed almost three-quarters of its resources to countries that are not among the poorest in the world. David Gartner argues that a greater focus on the least developed countries, especially those in Africa, would yield enormous progress toward reducing global poverty.

African Growth and Opportunity Act: A Case of Vanishing Benefits

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In August, high-level delegations of government, private sector and civil society representatives from the United States and sub-Saharan Africa met in Nairobi for the eighth annual forum on the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). Mwangi Kimenyi reflects on the success of AGOA and how the forum can be a chance to focus on making Africa competitive.

Climate Crisis, Credit Crisis: Overcoming Obstacles to Build a Climate Resilient World

Thu, 30 Jul 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

July 30, 2009, 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM
August 01, 2009, 8:00 AM to 9:30 PM

Forty experts gathered for the Brookings Blum Roundtable to discuss the impact of climate change and the global financial crisis on the world's poor. The experts formed recommendations for global leaders as they prepare to meet in Copenhagen in December to address solutions to global climate change.

Climate Change and Vulnerable Societies

Thu, 23 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Kemal Derviş testified before the House Committee on Foreign Affairs on America’s critical role in supporting climate change adaptation in the world’s most vulnerable communities. Derviş stressed that although global economies are facing serious financial challenges, time is of the essence to protect those most affected. He provided recommendations to enact globally acceptable and enforceable policies to tackle climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Aid Coordination on the Ground: Are Joint Country Assistance Strategies the Answer?

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The dilemma of what to do about aid fragmentation remains a challenge. In a new working paper, Johannes Linn discusses comprehensive approaches to aid coordination and how joint country assistance strategies could be an effective strategy.

President Obama's Agenda Needs Greater Focus on Global Development

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Although the Obama administration faces serious challenges at home and abroad, Homi Kharas, Johannes Linn and Noam Unger call for greater attention to the world's poor. The experts provide recommendations on how the Obama administration can begin to improve America's critical role in global development.

Effective Development Assistance Through Competition

Fri, 17 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

It is now generally accepted that development interventions can only be successful and sustainable if they are accepted by stakeholders and implemented in accordance with local institutions, culture and norms. In this policy brief, Clifford Zinnes, answering the demand for foreign aid alternatives, assesses a new class of "tournament" approaches that promise to improve on the lackluster performance of conventional methods.

Ghana: Obama Visits a Hopeful Nation on a Troubled Continent

Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Ghanaians welcomed President Obama’s visit in July, making it the only African stop after his European trip. Ghana, regarded as a “beacon of democracy” in Africa, still has room for growth with 40 percent of its people living in poverty. Richard Joseph argues that Ghana could lead a new wave of accelerated and sustainable development and that Obama's support could inspire a transformation across the continent.

An Education Stimulus for the Developing World

Tue, 23 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In this economic crisis many low-income countries are forced to cut back on vital investments in education. David Gartner urges that new guidance by Congress to the IMF could make a real difference in giving low-income countries the ability to invest in their own children.

The Global Economic Crisis and Failed States

Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Already precariously dependent on commodities before 2008, the world's fragile states have been critically hit by the global financial crisis. In a recent article in Foreign Policy Magazine, Homi Kharas notes that a number of them are likely to suffer declines in real per capita income through 2010 as a result of the global recession and commodity price declines.

International Policy Workshop on Aid Effectiveness

Mon, 15 Jun 2009 08:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

June 15, 2009, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
June 16, 2009, 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM

From June 15-16, 2009, around 40 participants gathered at a workshop in Berlin to discuss aid effectiveness. The diversity of the group reflects the changing and increasingly diverse landscape that is reshaping the key issues in aid effectiveness.

Change We Can Believe In? The Muslim World, America, and Obama's Promise

Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Despite the pervasive challenges of poverty and illiteracy, the two strongest ties that bind the U.S. and the Muslim world are still military aid and oil. In the wake of President Obama's historic speech to the Muslim world from Cairo on June 4, Navtej Dhillon, Laurence Chandy and Geoffrey Gertz argue that a new foundation for engagement must include instruments such as trade, investment and human development.

Will the Singh Government Transform India Into a Modern Economy?

Tue, 26 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As Manmohan Singh begins his second term as India's Prime Minister, many challenges lay ahead. Arvind Panagariya recommends that to push vital economic reforms ahead, Mr. Singh's government must focus on both the business and rural sectors.

Strengthening America's Global Development Partnerships

Wed, 13 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As the Obama administration and Congress work to reform an outdated foreign assistance system, they have an opportunity to adapt official U.S. efforts to more effectively and efficiently support global development in partnership with businesses and civil society. Jane Nelson and Noam Unger recommend ways the U.S. government can better position itself within the 21st century global development ecosystem.

The Swine Flu Outbreak and its Global Economic Impact

Mon, 04 May 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As swine flu continues to spread in the United States and globally, fears of a pandemic have contributed to stock market decline as many industries suffer from a lack of public confidence. Warwick McKibbin analyzes the impact on the global economy and says the next few weeks are critical to assess whether the world will see further economic decline.

Scaling Up Early Child Development in the Developing World

Mon, 04 May 2009 08:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

May 04, 2009, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
May 05, 2009, 8:30 AM to 4:15 PM

The Early Child Development Initiative at the Wolfensohn Center for Development at Brookings hosted a two-day conference to feature the project’s first five country case studies on the scale up of Early Child Development (ECD) in the developing world. Country authors presented their findings on the process of scaling up ECD in Cuba, Madagascar, South Africa, Macedonia and the Philippines.

Action on Aid: Steps Toward Making Aid More Effective

Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

World leaders at the G-20 London Summit and the World Bank and IMF spring meetings responded to the urgent needs of the world’s poorest countries impacted by the global economic crisis with new financial commitments and pledges. Homi Kharas argues that full recovery from the crisis and future successful development ultimately requires reducing aid volatility and enhancing aid flow coordination.

What a Flu Pandemic Could Cost the World

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Fearing the swine flu outbreak may lead to pandemic, stock markets have declined and tourism, food and transportation industries are suffering from a lack of public confidence. Brookings expert Warwick McKibbin and Alexandra A. Sidorenko offer insight into what type of reactions we could see from the global economy.

A Case Study of Aid Effectiveness in Ethiopia

Tue, 28 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

International aid has significantly impacted Ethiopia's development initiatives since the end of World War II, and Ethiopia has been a major recipient of foreign aid in recent times. Project consultant Getnet Alemu examines the country’s aid flows—predominantly assisting Ethiopia's health sector—and argues that although aid has been instrumental in the country's development, donor coordination has been challenging.

Civil-Military Relations, Fostering Development, and Expanding Civilian Capacity

Tue, 21 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Critical stabilization and reconstruction missions abroad must not only be viewed through the lenses of short-term goals or military operations, but as a key step in supporting sustainable economic development. In a workshop report, Noam Unger and Frederick Barton explore ways to rebalance American statecraft by strengthening civilian stabilization and development capacity within the U.S. government.

What Works in Development? : Thinking Big and Thinking Small

Wed, 01 Apr 2009 00:00:00 GMT

What Works in Development? brings together leading experts to address one of the most basic yet vexing issues in development: what do we really know about what works -- and what doesn't -- in fighting global poverty?

Global Development 2.0: An Expanding Ecosystem

Tue, 31 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

While there is much to celebrate about the burgeoning aid landscape, there is also much to learn and do. In an article in InterAction's Monday Developments, Noam Unger and Abigail Jones argue that if new and traditional players collaborate effectively, their efforts could be more than the sum of the parts.

Reform the IMF and World Bank

Mon, 30 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Reform of the IMF and World Bank is one of the tasks for the G-20 Summit in London. Johannes Linn suggests steps for critical action to help ensure early recovery from the current global financial crisis and the future capabilities of these institutions.

The G-20 London Summit 2009

Thu, 26 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Leaders of the Group of 20 (G-20) countries met in London on April 2 for their second summit on the global financial crisis. In a new set of articles, Brookings experts addressed the critical issues for policy-makers and offered guidelines for more effective global coordination.

The Logic of Authoritarian Bargains

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

How do authoritarian regimes stay in power? Scholars Raj Desai and Tarik Yousef, of Brookings, and Georgetown University professor Anders Olofsgård discuss the logic of authoritarian bargains in the March 2009 issue of Economics and Politics.

The Developing Countries and the G-20

Fri, 20 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Although few developing countries have systemic importance in terms of aggregate world demand, they need supportive global policy action for systemic economic reasons. Kemal Derviş recommends that they should request IMF reforms, greater fiscal support, and more humanitarian development assistance at the G-20 London Summit.

Aid Effectiveness and Governance: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The effectiveness of development aid has historically been mixed. In a new article, Senior Fellow Daniel Kaufmann discusses recent aid effectiveness initiatives, the gulf between current aid strategies and the new reality of aid, and offers proposals for next steps to improve efforts.

A Conversation with Dominique Strauss-Kahn on the Impact of the Financial Crisis on Low-Income Countries

Tue, 03 Mar 2009 10:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

March 03, 2009, 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM

On March 3, Brookings hosted Dominique Strauss-Kahn, managing director of the International Monetary Fund, for a discussion on the impact of the fiancial crisis on low-income countries.

Climate Change and Global Poverty : A Billion Lives in the Balance?

Sun, 01 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Climate Change and Global Poverty: A Billion Lives in the Balance? draws on expertise from the climate change and development communities to ask how the public and private sectors can help the world's poor manage the global climate crisis.

Can China Grow Itself Out of Trouble?

Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

In an interview in the Straits Times, Wing Thye Woo discusses China's growth prospects during the global financial crisis, including the potential for sustainable development, and issues related to China’s currency valuation and current account surpluses.

The Great Stability is Over: The Poverty Trap Facing Low-Income Countries

Mon, 16 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Homi Kharas analyzes the impact of the financial crisis on developing countries—from declining economic growth forecasts to cutbacks in development assistance. He argues that greater attention should be paid to managing risk in low income countries and developing countercyclical instruments in the international institutions to aid the developing world.

The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Africa

Fri, 13 Feb 2009 12:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

February 13, 2009, 12:00 PM to 2:00 PM

On February 13, 2009, the Brookings Global Economy and Development program hosted a luncheon to introduce Dr. Ernest Aryeetey, Director of the new Africa Growth Initiative, and to discuss the impact of the financial crisis on Africa.

The Financial Crisis, a Development Emergency, and the Need for Aid

Wed, 11 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Affected by the financial crisis, the world’s poorest countries are facing a development emergency. Cutbacks in foreign aid and devalued currencies are wiping out aid contributions that supply the world’s poor with basic necessities—food, education, and healthcare. Billions of aid dollars are sitting in Washington, ready for disbursement but hindered by bureaucracy. Homi Kharas outlines steps to accelerate the disbursement of this aid so that poor countries can receive the help they need.

Double Jeopardy: What the Climate Crisis Means for the Poor

Mon, 02 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Climate change and global development are two of the most critical challenges facing global policymakers. In a new report, "Double Jeopardy: What the Climate Crisis Means for the Poor" Brookings experts detail these interrelated issues based on discussions at the most recent Brookings Blum Roundtable on Poverty, featuring Dr. Steven Chu and former Vice President Al Gore, among others.

A Case Study of Aid Effectiveness in Kenya

Fri, 23 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Because foreign aid to Kenya is highly volatile and fragmented, efforts are being made to coordinate and harmonize aid allocations. Project consultant Francis M. Mwega analyzes these efforts and focuses on the health sector to compare and contrast trends and experiences. This case study highlights the innovations and competencies that have developed over time to respond to the challenges in development aid.

The Economics of Happiness in Latin America

Wed, 21 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 21, 2009, 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM

In spite of the challenges posed by poverty and high levels of inequality in Latin America, studies show its people are generally happy and continue to support market reforms and democracy. Yet, in the midst of the global financial crisis, will this trend shift in Latin America? On January 21, the Latin America Initiative at Brookings hosted a discussion on the current trends in the region in terms of economic growth, inflation, unemployment and the financial crisis, based on the most recent evaluations from a new approach in economics: the economics of happiness.

Development in Fragile States: The Toughest Cases

Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

January 12, 2009, 8:30 AM to 11:30 AM

On January 12, Foreign Policy Studies and the Wolfensohn Center for Development at the Brookings Institution hosted a workshop to examine Development in Fragile States: The Toughest Cases. The event engaged experts in a discussion of how the U.S. and its partners can more effectively sustain development in autocratic states and states in transition.

The Poor Man's Burden

Wed, 07 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Eighty years ago, a depression changed the way we think about poverty. It took decades for the world to recover and to remember that if people are given freedom, they will prosper. In an article in Foreign Policy Magazine, William Easterly reflects on lasting consequences of the original approach of "development economics" and cautions against returning to misguided plans to fight poverty.

Central America in 2009: Off the U.S. Radar

Tue, 06 Jan 2009 00:00:00 GMT

As Barack Obama prepares to take office, Central America is falling off the radar among the many accumulated problems to address, domestic and international. Abraham Lowenthal examines four Central American countries and compares their changes and growth. He recommends modest investments in the region for the new Obama administration.

The Diversification Challenge in Africa's Resource-Rich Economies

Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Africa’s resource boom offers the hope of economic growth to many countries on the continent but how can governments ensure that natural resources fuel long-term growth rather than become a curse? In a new working paper, John Page discusses how natural resource wealth can be an effective driver of growth for Africa.

Aid Effectiveness in Cambodia

Mon, 29 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Cambodia received over $5 billion in development assistance within the past decade, yet the country faces unpredictable donor flows and duplication of technical cooperation and funding for more than 400 donor missions. Ek Chanboreth and Sok Hach from the Economic Institute of Cambodia analyze these challenges and the government’s actions to strengthen aid coordination and management systems—most notably by developing an online database to better coordinate official development assistance.

The Millennium Challenge Corporation: An Opportunity for the Next President

Mon, 22 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Lex Rieffel and James Fox propose seven recommendations the next administration can take to strengthen the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), which they call one of the best innovations of the George W. Bush presidency. However, severe budget constraints and the MCC’s inability to show results could jeopardize the agency’s existence.

Memo to the President: Redefine America's Global Development Cooperation

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

America cannot afford to retreat from the fight against global poverty in a world where remote challenges can rapidly metastasize into global threats. Instead the United States must demonstrate renewed leadership and showcase its national spirit by investing wisely through more effective global development cooperation.

Strengthen the Millennium Challenge Corporation: Better Results are Possible

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) is one of the outstanding innovations of the eight-year presidency of George W. Bush. Lex Rieffel and James Fox offer recommendations to strengthen the MCC for better results.

Redefine America's Global Development Cooperation

Wed, 10 Dec 2008 15:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 10, 2008, 3:00 PM to 4:30 PM

The fight against global poverty has become a fight for global security. But after an awkward entrance into the 21st century, America must redefine its role in the world, including its relations with developing countries. Colin Bradford offered a public memo to the president-elect with recommendations how to modernize U.S. aid efforts and address the global development challenges of the new century effectively and with accountability.

Rethinking U.S.-Latin America Relations

Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:02:13 GMT

Latin America Initiative Director Mauricio Cárdenas says the Partnership for the Americas Commission’s new report offers important recommendations and insights for the president-elect.

More Excuses from Donors at Doha

Fri, 05 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The recent Doha Financing for Development Conference reviewed promises to increase the volume and quality of aid; yet, with the global financial industry in meltdown, aid to developing countries is expected to fall. Raj Desai and Homi Kharas argue that volatility in aid disbursements can send poor countries spinning into recession that then needs far more aid to reverse in the future.

Early Child Development for the Developing World

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 08:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 04, 2008, 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM

On December 4, 2008, the Wolfensohn Center for Development, in cooperation with the Committee for Economic Development, held a conference to raise awareness of early child development in the developing world and to foster support from the North American business community. Business leaders, international early child development experts, and public policy stakeholders developed strategies to increase private sector support for early child developing in developing countries.

A Call to Action for Global Early Child Development

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:00:00 GMT

Event Information:

December 04, 2008, 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM

On December 4, the Wolfensohn Center for Development at Brookings and the Committee for Economic Development hosted a discussion on the importance of early child development and its impact on sustainable economic development in the developing world.

Post-Tsunami Aid Effectiveness in Aceh: Proliferation and Coordination in Reconstruction

Sun, 30 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On December 26, 2004, an earthquake followed by a devastating tsunami killed more than 150,000 people and displaced an estimated 700,000 inhabitants in Aceh, Indonesia. With unprecedented damage to the region, Aceh received an influx of aid and assistance—the largest reconstruction program in the developing world at the time. Project consultants Harry Masyrafah and Jock MJA McKeon analyze the aid effectiveness by examining the international community’s response to the disaster, challenges in reconstruction, and coordination of the aid agencies involved.

Better Aid: Responding to Gaps in Effectiveness

Mon, 24 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Despite increasing aid volume and ministerial promises and commitments, there are gaps in the effectiveness of development aid. Using a two-pronged approach, Homi Kharas and Johannes Linn analyze these gaps and provide useful recommendations so that the aid architecture can be strengthened, aid flows coordinated and development sustainable—ultimately making aid better.

Reform of How Health Care Is Paid for in China: Challenges and Opportunities

Sat, 22 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

China's current strategy to improve how health services are paid for is headed in the right direction, but much more remains to be done. In a recent article in The Lancet, Brookings scholars David de Ferranti and Maria-Luisa Escobar, along with Shanlian Hu, Shenglan Tang, Yuanli Liu, and Yuxin Zhao, examine key challenges that need to be met and explore lessons from other countries.

The G-20 Financial Summit: Seven Issues at Stake

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Leaders from G-20 countries gathered in Washington, D.C. to address a financial crisis whose evolution highlights a dramatic shift in the global economy. In a new report, Brookings Global experts examine seven key issues at stake and make recommendations for next steps.

Foreign Aid Goes Military!

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

William Easterly reviews Paul Collier's recent book The Bottom Billion: Why the Poorest Countries Are Failing and What Can Be Done About It.

America's Next President Must Master the Tyranny of the Urgent

Sun, 02 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Climate change, nuclear proliferation, global trade and poverty, pandemics and terrorism will top the next president's agenda. The biggest job for the new U.S. administration, says Strobe Talbott, is to find better methods of governing an interdependent world. That is the only way to ensure the upside of globalization prevails over the downside.

Can the West Save Africa?

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In a new working paper, William Easterly examines Western efforts to “save Africa” through development policies and interventions. He assesses the performance of aid efforts to date and examines successes and failures.

Prospects of Youth Radicalization in Pakistan

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Moeed Yusuf analyzes Pakistan's high potential for youth radicalization. He writes that the situation is marked by a poor education system stratified along socio-economic lines and disparate economic opportunities across segments of society, and he offers several policy suggestions for addressing the problem.

Scaling Up: A Framework and Lessons for Development Effectiveness from Literature and Practice

Fri, 31 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Scaling up—expanding, adapting, and sustaining successful projects, programs, or policies over time—can substantially reduce poverty. To improve the effectiveness of development programs, Arntraud Hartmann and Johannes Linn outline the key aspects that allow for scaling up to occur. This framework includes the implementation phases of development interventions—monitoring, evaluating, planning and effective management. Hartmann and Linn also reflect on lessons learned, case studies, and implications for aid and aid donors.

The G-20 Summit: What’s It All About?

Mon, 27 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In new commentary, Lex Rieffel examines the upcoming G-20 financial summit in Washington, scheduled for November 15, and discusses recommendations to improve the effectiveness of the discussions and the governance structure.

Smart Aid and Accelerated Growth: What an Obama Victory Can Mean for Africa

Fri, 24 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In a speech delivered before the Department of Political Science, Faculty of the Social Sciences at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria prior to the U.S. presidential election, Richard Joseph reflects on what a win by Barack Obama could mean for Africa, with regard to aid and smart growth.

A Better Place for the Peace Corps

Thu, 23 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Peace Corps, although the standard of excellence for international volunteering, remains constrained by budget issues and low numbers of volunteers. In a recent World View article, Lex Rieffel proposes the creation of a Corporation for International Study and Service that includes the Peace Corps as one solution and outlines potential benefits.

Scaling Up Through Aid: The Real Challenge

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Scaling up—expanding, adapting, and sustaining successful projects, programs, or policies over time—can substantially reduce poverty. Johannes Linn and Arntraud Hartmann outline the actions that bilateral and multilateral donors and private aid agencies need to take in order to support scaling up for effective, sustainable development.

The Future of Foreign Aid

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 12:30:00 GMT

Event Information:

October 15, 2008, 12:30 PM to 3:30 PM

On October 15, 2008, Brookings hosted Sadako Ogata, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), for a briefing on the topic of foreign aid effectiveness and the future of aid.

Top 10 Global Economic Challenges Facing America's 44th President

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As President-Elect Obama prepares to lead the United States, what are the top global economic challenges facing the new president and his advisors and how should the new administration address them? A new report by Brookings global economic and development experts ranks the top 10 issues and details specific ideas for how to tackle the toughest challenges.

Development Doesn't Require Big Government

Fri, 03 Oct 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Reflecting on the current financial crisis, William Easterly discusses how sustainable development does not require the sole action of governments, but also individual entrepreneurs and innovators.

Health Systems Strengthening Via Performance-Based Aid

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the global health arena, performance-based aid projects have increased in recent years. Global health experts examine recent experiences with these projects and analyze lessons for policymakers.

Millennium Development Goals: Enhance Public Policy with Private Donors

Thu, 25 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Although private aid from philanthropies and NGOs deliver a larger share of total development assistance than official aid agencies, they are rarely included in development policy-planning meetings, particularly at today’s UN High Level Event on the Millennium Development Goals. In order to improve the MDGs implementation and monitoring process, and ultimately the effectiveness of aid, Raj Desai and Joshua Hermias urge for better inclusion of private aid donors.

Accounting for Health Spending in Developing Countries

Tue, 23 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Data on health system financing and spending, together with information on the disease prevalence and cost-effectiveness of interventions, constitute essential input into health policy and is particularly critical in developing countries. Brookings Nonresident Fellow Amanda Glassman, along with fellow health specialists Dorota A. Raciborska and Patricia Hernández, offers a history of health spending measurement, describes alternative sources of data, and recommends improving international collaboration and advocacy with the private sector for the way forward.

The IMF and the World Bank: It's Time to Separate the Conjoined Twins

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Sixty years following the creation of the IMF and the World Bank, the nature of global financial, emerging markets and poverty aid has changed dramatically. Lex Rieffel argues that if the institutions were to be created today they would be structured differently and located outside of Washington. His case and recommendations for reform are contained in a new working paper.

Addressing Yemen's Twin Deficits: Human and Natural Resources

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In the wake of the attack on the U.S. embassy in Sana’a, Yemen, Navtej Dhillon emphasizes that human development, resource management, and the productive use of a fast growing youth population are of utmost importance to Yemen’s future, the poorest country in the Arab world. The international community must now do more than ever to invest in sustainable economic development and institutional capacity-building to ensure the country’s prosperity and stability.

Politics, and Public Health Policy Reform

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

In an article for the first edition of the International Encyclopedia of Public Health, Brookings Scholar Amanda Glassman and Kent Buse, Research Fellow from the Overseas Development Institute, review the major theoretical treatments of politics in the health sector in developing countries and provide examples of common issues that have emerged in the study of the politics of public health policy reform.

The 9/11 Development Imperative

Thu, 11 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

On the seventh anniversary of September 11, Lael Brainard and Noam Unger examine how the global development agenda has changed and how the U.S. can take critical steps to lead on efforts to reduce global poverty.

We Are a Service Nation

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

As Senators McCain and Obama gather in New York at the ServiceNation Summit in New York on September 11, David Caprara and Steven Rosenthal examine the nature of volunteerism and service and how international volunteering enhances America’s public diplomacy efforts.

The Peace Corps and More

Wed, 10 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The Peace Corps is frequently noted as one of the best tools of American soft power since its creation more than 50 years ago. In a new policy brief, Lex Rieffel and Kevin Quigley recommend strengthening the Peace Corps and detail a specific proposal for the next administration.

Governance: The Key to Effective Policies is Accountability

Wed, 03 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Domenico Lombardi discusses the need for stronger accountability with Finance and Development, a quarterly magazine of the International Monetary Fund, as a way to improve living standards in developing countries and sustain growth.

Innovative Financing for Global Health: Tools for Analyzing the Options

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With numerous new tools for financial global health aid, how should governments and donors examine and prioritize the options? Brookings global health experts examine the options and proposal a framework to help guide aid decisions.

Smooth and Predictable Aid for Health: A Role for Innovative Financing?

Sun, 31 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The amount and frequency of aid for global health projects can be volatile and uncertain, further complicating efforts to maintain programs and services. In a new working paper, Amanda Glassman and Chris Lane examine how innovating health financing might help make global health aid more predictable.

Accra Agenda for Action: Old Promises, New City

Wed, 27 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Following the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, the High Level Forum will resume for its third gathering in Accra, Ghana on September 2, 2008. Homi Kharas examines the coordination of development aid and the addition of new donors since the Paris Declaration and questions whether this Forum’s ministerial declaration of an Accra Agenda for Action can provide improvements to the $170 billion aid system.

The California Consensus: Can Private Aid End Global Poverty?

Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The rise of private aid donors—foundations, NGOs, corporations, and individuals—is changing the landscape of development assistance. As private aid has doubled within the past decade, the developing world welcomes these new players, and Raj Desai and Homi Kharas argue that they have the potential to be more effective in ending global poverty than the traditional bilateral and multilateral aid agencies.

Corporate Action on Climate Adaptation and Development

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 00:00:00 GMT

The 2008 Brookings Blum Roundtable recently convened representatives to focus on how the poor of the world will cope with climate change. With a few notable exceptions, the climate adaptation challenge, and the links between climate change, economic growth, human rights, and poverty alleviation, has not been high on the corporate agenda. Jane Nelson, an expert in corporate social responsibility, recommends the corporate community take action to address climate change adaptation in the developing world.

Brookings: Topics - Global Poverty

The Global Food Crisis: "The Silent Tsunami"

The U.S. Should Encourage Structural Transformation Strategies in Africa

India and a Carbon Deal

Teaching and Learning in Emergencies, Chronic Crises, and Early Recovery

1000 Days to the 7th Billion Human: What Do We Tell Her?

U.S. Private Philanthropy

Africa's (Large)4 Problem

Case Study on Aid Effectiveness in Tajikistan

Do Philanthropic Citizens Behave Like Governments?

Contemporary Development Challenges in Kenya

Universal Education is an Investment for America

The 0.85 Percent Solution for Low-Income Countries

President Obama and the Spirit of Global Development Partnership

Three Reasons the Americans Should Support Global Education

Obama's Commitment to the World's Children

Climate Change Policy: Recommendations to Reach Consensus

Four Ways to Help Africa?

A Global Fund for Education: Achieving Education for All

Quality and Coordination of Official Development Aid in Pakistan

A Nigerian-American Partnership Beckons

Making Africa a Priority in U.S. Foreign Assistance

African Growth and Opportunity Act: A Case of Vanishing Benefits

Climate Crisis, Credit Crisis: Overcoming Obstacles to Build a Climate Resilient World

Climate Change and Vulnerable Societies

Aid Coordination on the Ground: Are Joint Country Assistance Strategies the Answer?

President Obama's Agenda Needs Greater Focus on Global Development

Effective Development Assistance Through Competition

Ghana: Obama Visits a Hopeful Nation on a Troubled Continent

An Education Stimulus for the Developing World

The Global Economic Crisis and Failed States

International Policy Workshop on Aid Effectiveness

Change We Can Believe In? The Muslim World, America, and Obama's Promise

Will the Singh Government Transform India Into a Modern Economy?

Strengthening America's Global Development Partnerships

The Swine Flu Outbreak and its Global Economic Impact

Scaling Up Early Child Development in the Developing World

Action on Aid: Steps Toward Making Aid More Effective

What a Flu Pandemic Could Cost the World

A Case Study of Aid Effectiveness in Ethiopia

Civil-Military Relations, Fostering Development, and Expanding Civilian Capacity

What Works in Development? : Thinking Big and Thinking Small

Global Development 2.0: An Expanding Ecosystem

Reform the IMF and World Bank

The G-20 London Summit 2009

The Logic of Authoritarian Bargains

The Developing Countries and the G-20

Aid Effectiveness and Governance: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

A Conversation with Dominique Strauss-Kahn on the Impact of the Financial Crisis on Low-Income Countries

Climate Change and Global Poverty : A Billion Lives in the Balance?

Can China Grow Itself Out of Trouble?

The Great Stability is Over: The Poverty Trap Facing Low-Income Countries

The Impact of the Financial Crisis on Africa

The Financial Crisis, a Development Emergency, and the Need for Aid

Double Jeopardy: What the Climate Crisis Means for the Poor

A Case Study of Aid Effectiveness in Kenya

The Economics of Happiness in Latin America

Development in Fragile States: The Toughest Cases

The Poor Man's Burden

Central America in 2009: Off the U.S. Radar

The Diversification Challenge in Africa's Resource-Rich Economies

Aid Effectiveness in Cambodia

The Millennium Challenge Corporation: An Opportunity for the Next President

Memo to the President: Redefine America's Global Development Cooperation

Strengthen the Millennium Challenge Corporation: Better Results are Possible

Redefine America's Global Development Cooperation

Rethinking U.S.-Latin America Relations

More Excuses from Donors at Doha

Early Child Development for the Developing World

A Call to Action for Global Early Child Development

Post-Tsunami Aid Effectiveness in Aceh: Proliferation and Coordination in Reconstruction

Better Aid: Responding to Gaps in Effectiveness

Reform of How Health Care Is Paid for in China: Challenges and Opportunities

The G-20 Financial Summit: Seven Issues at Stake

Foreign Aid Goes Military!

America's Next President Must Master the Tyranny of the Urgent

Can the West Save Africa?

Prospects of Youth Radicalization in Pakistan

Scaling Up: A Framework and Lessons for Development Effectiveness from Literature and Practice

The G-20 Summit: What’s It All About?

Africa's (Large)⁴ Problem