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Building Capacity through Rethinking Development

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This blog is maintained by the Growth and Crisis (GC ) Program of the World Bank Institute.

We bring you timely news, resources, tools, ideas and commentaries on issues related to the global economic crisis and growth.

January 2008

Fridays Academy: Gender and Macroeconomics

Submitted by Ignacio on Fri, 01/25/2008 - 14:10

Like every Friday,  based on Raj Nallari and Breda Griffith's lecture notes.

Measuring Gender Inequalities

In order to fully appreciate gender as an analytical category in macroeconomics and macroeconomic policy, one needs appropriate data and tools – statistics and modeling.  For the most part, gender measurement issues have only been addressed in the past thirty years or so and remain a work-in-progress.  Data collection methods are not always gender sensitive for a number of reasons. First, managers, researchers and technical staff may not be aware of gender issues in the policies and programs and/or lack experience with gender issues and methods. Second, surveys frequently interview the household head, which in most cases is male. Third, the nature of gender is often sensitive and formal interviews are not the best way to capture information on sensitive topics (domestic violence for example) and finally, women may not be able to speak freely in interviews or to attend or speak at community meetings. (World Bank, 2001). Thus for all of these reasons and not withstanding that, as noted in previous posts, the emergence of gender as an analytical category is relatively recent, the measurement of gender is an ongoing issue. Yet the case for measuring gender is a strong one.

National Income Statistics online course

Submitted by Ignacio on Wed, 01/23/2008 - 16:33

Prof. Barbara Fraumeni will present her online course "National Income Statistics" from Feb. 29 - March 21 at statistics.com.  Participants can interact with Prof. Fraumeni over a period of 3 weeks via a private discussion board.

This course covers the essentials of how National Accounts statistics are compiled. Participants will learn what Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Income (GNI) and their components are, and what they mean. Underlying concepts will be explained. Major GDP components include consumption, investment, government expenditure and net exports. In addition, the various accounts:  household, business, financial and balance sheet, and general government, will be covered.  Examples will be used from the national accounts of a number of countries.

Registration and details

Fridays Academy: Gender and Macroeconomics

Submitted by Ignacio on Fri, 01/18/2008 - 12:01

As usual on Fridays, based on Raj Nallari and Breda Griffith's lecture notes.

 
Gender and Macroeconomics

Gender disparities are far from static and often change quite rapidly in response to changing socioeconomic conditions. Public policy that promotes gender equality can play an active role in bringing about successful growth and development.  Moreover, other aspects of an individual’s economic decision-making that is gender specific and/or that responds to public policy may also lead to different outcomes for macroeconomic aggregates. As noted by Stotsky (2006), public policies may enhance women’s employment possibilities with implications for taxation policy, social insurance, spending and other regulatory policies and structural reforms.  The improvement and reduction of gender inequalities summarized in Goal 3 of the Millennium Development Goals seeks to “promote gender equality and empower women”.  Moreover, gender equality lies behind two further goals in seeking equality in primary and secondary education with full enrollment of girls in primary education and improvements in maternal health.  Failing to acknowledge gender issues in macroeconomic policies can lead to unintended consequences as the experience with the structural adjustment policies attests.        

Gender Equality, Growth and Poverty

Submitted by Ignacio on Thu, 01/17/2008 - 13:05

The January issue of Poverty in Focus, the International Poverty Center's publication, is totally devoted to studying Gender Equality and its impact on Poverty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you want to read more about this, our Fridays Academy series in this blog is currently (every Friday) looking at Gender and Macroeconomics.

2008 AEA Conference Papers available online

Submitted by Ignacio on Mon, 01/14/2008 - 17:59

Many of the papers presented during this year's American Economic Association Conference are available on-line.

(via Trade Diversion)

Fridays Academy: Gender and Macroeconomics

Submitted by Ignacio on Fri, 01/11/2008 - 11:15

As usual on Fridays, based on Raj Nallari and Breda Griffith's lecture notes.

 Gender and Macroeconomics

As noted before, a simultaneous relationship characterizes gender inequalities and economic growth. Empirical studies have shown that economic growth benefits gender inequalities while gender inequalities also hinder economic growth. 

Stotsky (2006) notes that disparities – both absolute and relative to men – in education, health care and economic and social opportunities for women hinders economic growth, while at the same time, economic growth leads to a reduction in these disparities and thus improves women’s position. 

 

Presidential Candidates and Global Development (II)

Submitted by Ignacio on Wed, 01/09/2008 - 17:32

We already mentioned the Democratic Presidential Candidates' plans for Global Development if elected President (or when elected President, as one of them prefers to say).

At the ONE campaign's website "On the Record", you can check and compare the candidates' (Democratic and Republican) pledges.

 

Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program: Support for doctoral research

Submitted by Ignacio on Tue, 01/08/2008 - 11:47

The Robert S. McNamara Fellowships Program provides support to young researchers working in academic and research institutions from developing countries, and preparing a doctoral thesis in a subject related to development. Research grants cover residence costs in a university or research center in a member country of the World Bank other than the home country or country of residence of the candidate. Fellowships are awarded for a period of five to ten months and must be completed between July 2008 and June 2009. The maximum amount of the grant is US$25,000. Deadline to apply is March 31, 2008.

How to apply