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Development Channel

Issues and innovations in global economic development

New From CFR: Backgrounder on South Africa’s Economy

by Development Channel Staff Wednesday, May 22, 2013
A female mine worker is seen underground at Lonmin's Karee mine in Rustenburg, South Africa, 100 km (62 miles) northwest of Johannesburg, March 5, 2013 (Siphiwe Sibeko/Courtesy Reuters). A female mine worker is seen underground at Lonmin's Karee mine in Rustenburg, South Africa, 100 km (62 miles) northwest of Johannesburg, March 5, 2013 (Siphiwe Sibeko/Courtesy Reuters).

In a new CFR Backgrounder, CFR.org’s Christopher Alessi explores the lingering inequalities in South Africa’s economy and the obstacles to faster growth, from educational failures to a shortage of labor-intensive manufacturing. As he writes: Read more »

Poverty, Inequality, and Development

by Terra Lawson-Remer Friday, May 17, 2013
Paraguayan peasants hold up pieces of wood as they arrive in Auncion for the annual "March of the rural poor" on March 28, 2012 (Jorge Adorno/Courtesy Reuters). Paraguayan peasants hold up pieces of wood as they arrive in Asuncion for the annual "March of the rural poor" on March 28, 2012 (Jorge Adorno/Courtesy Reuters).

In spite of the global economic turbulence of recent years, many countries in the global south are experiencing rapid growth. Cities are booming, infrastructure projects are expanding, and luxury goods are becoming commonplace. However, economic growth within a country does not necessarily bring shared benefits to all citizens. One of the greatest development challenges of the 21st century is the stubborn and often extensive poverty of middle income countries.

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Sports, Gender Equality, and Development

by Terra Lawson-Remer Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Saudi Arabia's Jeddah United (in white) shake hands with Jordan's Al Reyadeh before their friendly basketball game in Amman on April 21, 2009 (Ali Jarekji/Courtesy Reuters). Saudi Arabia's Jeddah United (in white) shake hands with Jordan's Al Reyadeh before their friendly basketball game in Amman on April 21, 2009 (Ali Jarekji/Courtesy Reuters).

As my colleague Isobel Coleman wrote last week, Saudi Arabia has just leaped a small hurdle towards gender equality: announcing last week that it will allow female athletics in private schools. Until now girls have been prohibited from playing sports as a part of formal education. The move comes on the heels of last year’s decision to allow two Saudi women to compete in the Olympics for the first time in the country’s history.

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Africa’s Growing Prospects

by Gayle Tzemach Lemmon Monday, May 13, 2013
A view is seen of the Nigeria stock exchange building in the central business district in Lagos, April 10, 2013 (Akintunde Akinleye/Courtesy Reuters). A view is seen of the Nigeria stock exchange building in the central business district in Lagos, April 10, 2013 (Akintunde Akinleye/Courtesy Reuters).

The African growth story continues as investors pour into Africa. Investment is booming and interest in the continent is surging as capital seeks regions still able to flourish despite the broader global economy’s fight to return to robust—or at least decent—health.

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Emerging Voices: Sir Michael Barber on Improving Education in Pakistan

by Development Channel Staff Friday, May 10, 2013
Children from underprivileged background attend a playgroup class at Mashal School on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan on January 24, 2013 (Zohra Bensemra/Courtesy Reuters). Children from underprivileged backgrounds attend a playgroup class at Mashal School on the outskirts of Islamabad, Pakistan on January 24, 2013 (Zohra Bensemra/Courtesy Reuters).

Emerging Voices features regular contributions from scholars and practitioners highlighting new research, thinking, and approaches to development challenges. This article is from Sir Michael Barber, who is the U.K. Department for International Development’s (DfID) (unpaid) special representative on education in Pakistan, the chief education advisor at Pearson, and from 2001 to 2005, was the chief advisor on delivery to Prime Minister Tony Blair. In the article he discusses an educational reform program he helps lead in Pakistan and the broader debate over the effective delivery of foreign aid.

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New From CFR: Isobel Coleman on Aid to Egypt

by Isobel Coleman Wednesday, May 8, 2013
A farmer holds out grains of wheat in his hands during a harvest on a field in the El-Menoufia governorate, about 9.94 km (58 miles) north of Cairo, Egypt, April 23, 2013 (Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Courtesy Reuters). A farmer holds out grains of wheat in his hands during a harvest on a field in the El-Menoufia governorate, about 9.94 km (58 miles) north of Cairo, Egypt, April 23, 2013 (Mohamed Abd El Ghany/Courtesy Reuters).

On the new Ask CFR Experts feature today, I consider the question of whether the United States should continue economic aid to Egypt. “The answer,” I write, “is a resounding yes.” As I add, however: Read more »

New From CFR: John Campbell on Brazil’s Role in Africa

by Development Channel Staff Thursday, May 2, 2013
Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C) addresses the media during a visit to the future site of an anti-retroviral factory near Mozambique's capital Maputo on November 10, 2010 (Grant Lee Neuenberg/Courtesy Reuters). Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C) addresses the media during a visit to the future site of an antiretroviral factory near Mozambique's capital Maputo on November 10, 2010 (Grant Lee Neuenberg/Courtesy Reuters).

Yesterday on his blog, CFR senior fellow John Campbell wrote about Brazil’s involvement in and assistance to Africa. As he argues: Read more »

Democracy in Development: USAID, Water, and Food Security

by Isobel Coleman Tuesday, April 30, 2013
A woman uses her hands to help irrigate a crop of onions in a field near Dambulla, Sri Lanka, August 9, 2010 (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Courtesy Reuters). A woman uses her hands to help irrigate a crop of onions in a field near Dambulla, Sri Lanka, August 9, 2010 (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds/Courtesy Reuters).

Last week on my blog, I reviewed USAID’s Water and Development Strategy, focusing on the link between water and food security. As I write: Read more »

Human Rights and Access to Legal Representation

by Terra Lawson-Remer Monday, April 29, 2013
The Arizona-Mexico border fence near Naco, Arizona on March 29, 2013 (Samantha Sais/Courtesy Reuters). The Arizona-Mexico border fence near Naco, Arizona on March 29, 2013 (Samantha Sais/Courtesy Reuters).

Last week a federal judge ruled that mentally disabled immigrants facing deportation have a right to representation in immigration proceedings, and ordered immigration courts in Arizona, California, and Washington to provide legal representation for mentally disabled immigrants if they cannot represent themselves.

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