Fridays Academy: Health, Poverty Reduction and Economic Growth (II)

The unacceptably high mortality rates in the least developed countries can be improved by the control of communicable diseases and enhancing maternal and child health. HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis (TB), childhood infectious diseases, maternal and prenatal conditions, micronutrient deficiencies and tobacco-related illnesses represent the main causes of (avoidable) deaths in low-income countries (CMH, 2001).  Widespread disease [...]

Barack Obama will double US Aid

In a speech to the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, Barack Obama pledged to double US aid by 2012, if elected President.
For the last twenty years, U.S. foreign aid funding has done little more than keep pace with inflation.  Doubling our foreign assistance spending by 2012 will help meet the challenge laid out by Tony [...]

Dani Rodrik’s blog

Dani Rodrik has entered the blogosphere with a promise of unconventional thoughts on economic development and globalization.
That’s great news. Welcome!
(Via Trade Diversion)
Source: World Bank Poverty and Growth Program

Migration and remittances: leaving in order to live

We have blogged about migrant remittances in the past, from an economic point of view.
The New York Times magazine includes this week an excellent article on remittances that looks at the personal stories behind migration and at its costs and benefits. Jason DeParle’s article focuses on the Philippines, a country with 10 percent of its population living [...]