PAST EVENT
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
1:30 PM to 02:45 PM
Washington, DC
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. Global Economy and Development at Brookings hosted a discussion on nutrition, school feeding programs and food security in the developing world. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
David Gartner, November 24, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's state visit to the White House provides an opportunity for the leaders of the world’s two largest democracies to create a shared vision for future generations. Both Prime Minister Singh and President Obama have made sweeping commitments to education in recent months. David Gartner writes that together they can develop a plan for achieving their shared goal of universal education for all children as key members of the G-20. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Cheng Li, November 23, 2009, China Leadership Monitor
Cheng Li examines the concept of "intra-Party democracy," which China's leaders have recently characterized as the lifeblood of the Chinese Communist Party, and as crucial to its continued primacy. Li argues that intra-party democracy is important for institutionalizing the new rules and norms of Chinese elite politics, and that it is an experiment which will have profound implications for China's political future. Read More
PAST EVENT
Thursday, November 19, 2009
2:00 PM to 3:30 PM
Washington, DC
On November 19, the Africa Growth Initiative at Brookings hosted Antoinette Sayeh, director of the African Department of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), for a discussion on the economic outlook for Africa. The IMF has just released its semi-annual Regional Economic Outlook for Africa which contains findings that indicate sub-Saharan Africa’s economic activity has slowed sharply with the onset of the global financial crisis. As the world economy stages a tentative recovery, what does this mean for the region? Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Daniel Kaufmann, November 18, 2009, The Brookings Institution
In reaction to news of brazen corruption in Afghanistan and the release of the new Corruption Perceptions Index, Daniel Kaufmann asks tough questions about the relationship between aid and corruption and suggests improvements in how development aid effectiveness is reviewed. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Richard Joseph, November 04, 2009, The Brookings Institution
On October 29 President Zuma surprised the South African Parliament by announcing the need to "respond with urgency and resolve" to the "devastating impact of HIV and AIDS" on the nation. Richard Joseph discusses recent efforts to combat this disease in Africa and what can be done to facilitate further effective and humane action. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Mwangi S. Kimenyi, November 03, 2009, The Brookings Institution
On October 26 Johnnie Carson, assistant secretary of state for African affairs, announced that the U.S. was revoking the visa of a top Kenyan official because of his role in blocking reforms in the country. Mwangi Kimenyi discusses this approach and urges that the focus should be on overhauling institutions, not targeting individuals. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Ernest Aryeetey, November 03, 2009, The Brookings Institution
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. Read More
BOOK
Navtej Dhillon and Tarik Yousef, November 01, 2009
Young people in the Middle East (15--29 years old) constitute about one-third of the region's population. Generation in Waiting portrays their plight, urging greater investment designed to improve the lives of this critical group. Read More
PAST EVENT
Friday, October 30, 2009
12:00 PM to 2:00 PM
Washington, DC
While most international institutions involve only governments in their formal governance structure, a number of innovative institutions have emerged in recent years that engage multi-stakeholders in their governance processes. On October 30, the Center for Universal Education at Brookings hosted a roundtable with experts and leaders from a number of these innovative institutions. Read More
PAST EVENT
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Washington, DC
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. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Raj M. Desai, October 23, 2009, The Brookings Institution
Although violence in Iraq has decreased, Raj Desai states other transitions are needed before U.S. businesses feel comfortable about the Iraqi investment climate. In addition to security, Desai offers three sets of fundamental reforms to convince investors that Iraq is really "open for business." Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Vanda Felbab-Brown, October 21, 2009, Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control
In testimony before the Senate Caucus on International Narcotics Control, Vanda Felbab-Brown discussed how narcotics production influences the security, political, and economic developments in Afghanistan. Felbab-Brown also examined the effectiveness of policies to mitigate these effects and offered recommendations for the future of U.S. policy on the issue. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Laurence Chandy, Geoffrey Gertz and Johannes F. Linn, October 21, 2009, The Brookings Institution
In May 2009, Laurence Chandy, Geoffrey Gertz and Johannes Linn examined the global impact of the financial crisis based on data from the IMF’s April World Economic Outlook (WEO). Following the release of a new WEO database released earlier this month, they appraise their previous assertions and analyze the salient features of the global economic recovery. Read More
RESEARCH AND COMMENTARY
Homi Kharas, October 20, 2009, The Brookings Institution
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. Read More