Development

Nations have a short opportunity during which they can impart skills to any child, to prepare him or her for adulthood. What is better: to teach a trade in the hope of providing greater economic security, or to teach civic education with the goal of making a ‘better’ citizen?

Agriculture matters, both to Haiti and its new president. One of the biggest issues is tariffs and subsidies. Twenty years after tariffs were dropped, the impact continues to be discussed and debated.

The research project Haiti Priorise sets out to introduce new data on costs and benefits that helps decision-makers to focus on the soundest policies and investments for the nation.

In every country, every day, a lot of money is spent by various governments and agencies with the intention of making life better for citizens.

In Boston, priorities are set by City Hall, the state, and the federal government — along with a host of privately controlled philanthropic organizations. Just like everywhere, these decisions are driven by both political realities and personal preferences.

Agriculture is the lifeblood of the Haitian economy, and one of the most important priorities for the new president. Millions of Haitians depend on the land, so it makes sense to examine how to expand the rural economy.

The research project Haiti Priorise is releasing new research papers on agricultural priorities. Along with a paper on agro-forestry, the research provides more data about different approaches to improve Haiti’s agriculture.

Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and Population, in collaboration with local and international organizations, has made great strides in reducing the infant mortality rate, leading to a decrease from 80 deaths per thousand live births in 2000 to 59 deaths per thousand.

However, Haiti still has the highest infant mortality rate in the Caribbean.

Fewer than half of all children receive every immunization dose. Around two child deaths in ten are caused by diseases that could be prevented by vaccines. These include diphtheria and pertussis.

What are the biggest problems facing humanity? A lack of education and opportunity, poverty, inequality, violence and war, and environmental degradation.

These are the areas where trillions of dollars are spent in well-meaning efforts by governments and donors each year. But agreeing that a problem exists is not the same as knowing how to fix it. When it comes to development spending and philanthropy, it is too easy for money to be wasted - and opportunities missed - because this important distinction is ignored.

Aus dem BAYERNKURIER-Magazin: Der Microsoft-Gründer setzt seine wohltätigen Mittel besonders effizient und wirkungsvoll ein. Jetzt kooperiert das Bundesentwicklungsministerium mit der Stiftung von Bill und Melinda Gates. Warum die Arbeit des Milliardärs ein Vorbild für Regierungen sein kann, analysiert Bjørn Lomborg.

Electricity reaches less than one-quarter of Haiti. This is an obstacle to economic and social development.

Today, the biggest obstacles to the development of the electricity sector in Haiti are the weakness of institutions, systems, and poverty. Many people take electricity without paying for it, severely affecting the income of the electricity provider, and leaving it unable to fund infrastructure improvements.

Haiti is behind the rest of the world in the digital revolution. Internet coverage remains limited and expensive. Just four percent of households have access, and fewer than 1% of Haitians have mobile Internet. Some government processes that are digitized elsewhere are still done here in the old-fashioned way. This reduces opportunities for Haitians and slows down economic growth. Haiti could be richer with faster Internet and more digitization.

The research project Haiti Priorise is releasing two research papers that examine different ways to get more from the digital revolution.

A new report revealing that using wood pellets to generate electricity can actually speed up global warming should be the final nail in the coffin for the flawed policy of biomass subsidies. Policies designed to incentivise green energy use are not only having a dubious effect on climate change, they are destroying biodiversity and even killing many thousands of people.