17 SEPTEMBER 2012

HIGHLIGHTS

European recession weakens global outlook, says OECD Economic Outlook, Interim Report September 2012: Press release | Subscribe on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Education at a Glance 2012: OECD Indicators says governments should increase investment in early childhood programmes and maintain reasonable costs for higher education in order to reduce inequality, boost social mobility and improve people’s employment prospects: Press Release | Read and Share | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Education at a Glance 2012: Highlights features a special section introducing issues relating to equity in education: how important is pre-primary education, how does socio-economic background affect educational performance, how easy is it for older people to access education, and how wide is the gender gap? In addition, it higlights key data from the OECD Indicators publication: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Get a discount when purchasing EAG Indicators and Highlilghts as a set! Set on Online Bookshop

Economic crisis and weak outlook hit R&D hard, says OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2012: Press release | Read and Share | Purchase on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Data Visualisation Competition. The OECD and visualizing.org have launched a data visualization global competition around Education at a Glance 2012. The focus is on the economic costs and returns on education. Announcement

OECD PUBLISHING NEWS

Follow us and re-Tweet! The OECD Publications Twitter account is now up and tweeting at https://twitter.com/OECD_Pubs

OECD Subscription Prices for 2013: Price list

New OECD Key Titles Catalogue, 2012: Catalogue

OECD iLibrary: Brochure

OECD publications will be on exhibit at the following events in the coming months:

• National Association for Business Economics, 13-16 October 2012, New York, New York, USA
• Frankfurt Book Fair, 10-14 October 2012, Frankfurt, Germany

AGRICULTURE/FOOD/FISHERIES

Evaluation of Agri-Environmental Policies: Selected Methodological Issues and Case Studies: Read and Share | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming
-Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2012: OECD Countries: Book listing
-OECD Review of Agricultural Policies: Indonesia 2012: Book listing

BUSINESS & MARKETS

Competitive Neutrality: Maintaining a Level Playing Field between Public and Private Business: Read and Share | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Corporate Governance, Value Creation and Growth: The Bridge between Finance and Enterprise: Read and Share | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Defining and Measuring Green Investments :  Implications for Institutional Investors’ Asset Allocations: Working paper

Defining and Measuring Green Investments: An Exploratory View of Existing Work and Evidence: Working paper

Global investment dries up in 2012: Investment Newsletter

Forthcoming
-OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises
-Stocktaking of Business Integrity and Anti-Bribery Legislation, Policies and Practices in Twenty African Countries: Book listing
-OECD Banking Statistics: Financial Statements of Banks 2012: Book listing
-Board Member Nomination and Election: Book listing
-OECD Investment Policy Reviews: Tunisia 2012: Book listing
-Women in Business: Policies to Support Women's Entrepreneurship Development in the MENA Region: Book listing

DEVELOPMENT

Aid Effectiveness in the Health Sector: Progress and Lessons Printed book now available! Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Effective Support for Agricultural Development: Final Report of the Joint Study Visit to Tanzania: Report (PDF - 941 kb)

Africa's young future: OECD Observer article

This Quarter in Asia - newsletter from the OECD Development Centre on the business cycle and near-term economic trends in Asia: Newsletter

OECD Development Centre on Twitter: Announcement

Forthcoming
-Stocktaking of Business Integrity and Anti-Bribery Legislation, Policies and Practices in Twenty African Countries: Book listing
-Improving International Support to Peace Processes:The Missing Piece: Book listing
-Tax and Development: Aid Modalities for Strengthening Tax Systems: Book listing
-Evaluating Peacebuilding Activities in Settings of Conflict and Fragility: Improving Learning for Results: Book listing
-Development Co-operation Report 2012: Book listing

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

European recession weakens global outlook, says OECD Economic Outlook, Interim Report September 2012: Press release | Subscribe on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Economics Department Working Papers
-980: Import Competition, Domestic Regulation and Firm-Level Productivity Growth in the OECD
-981: Restarting the Growth Engine in Finland

OECD Staff and Alumni Network launched: OECD Observer article

Forthcoming
-OECD Economic Surveys: Estonia 2012
-OECD Economic Surveys: Indonesia 2012: Book listing
-Directory of Bodies of the OECD 2012: Book listing

ECONOMIC STATISTICS

OECD annual inflation rate eases slightly to 1.9% in July 2012: Press release

OECD unemployment rate at 8.0% in July 2012: Press release

OECD composite leading indicators point to a continued loss of momentum in most major economies: Press release

G20 GDP growth slows to 0.6% in the second quarter of 2012: Press release

4th OECD World Forum on Statistics, Knowledge and Policy to be held in New Delhi, India, 16-19 October 2012: Announcement

International Measurement of the Economic and Social Importance of Culture: Working paper

EDUCATION

Education at a Glance 2012: OECD Indicators says governments should increase investment in early childhood programmes and maintain reasonable costs for higher education in order to reduce inequality, boost social mobility and improve people’s employment prospects: Press Release | Read and Share | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Education at a Glance 2012: Highlights features a special section introducing issues relating to equity in education: how important is pre-primary education, how does socio-economic background affect educational performance, how easy is it for older people to access education, and how wide is the gender gap? In addition, it higlights key data from the OECD Indicators publication: | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Get a discount when purchasing EAG Indicators and Highlilghts as a set! Set on Online Bookshop

Teaching Practices and Pedagogical Innovations: Evidence from TALIS: Read and Share | Purchase on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Assessment for Qualification and Certification in Upper Secondary Education:  A Review of Country Practices and Research Evidence: Working paper

Money or Kindergarten?  Distributive Effects of Cash Versus In-Kind Family: Transfers for Young Children: Working paper

How can teachers know what – let alone how – to teach when the world is changing so quickly around us?  OECD Observer article

educationtoday: OECD’s blog on global perspectives on education: Blog

Forthcoming
-OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Teacher Evaluation in Chile 2012: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Luxembourg 2012: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Mexico 2012: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Slovak Republic 2012: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training: Skills beyond School Review of Switzerland: Book listing
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: Canada 2012
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: Japan 2012: Book listing
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: Norway 2012: Book listing
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: Sweden 2012: Book listing
-Financial Education in Schools: Policy Guidance, Challenges and Case Studies: Book listing
-Upgrading School Buildings in Mexico with Social Participation: The Better Schools Programme: Book listing
-School Leadership: The creation of a common school culture: Teaching and Learning: International Survey (TALIS 2008 Data thematic report)
-Skills beyond School Review of Switzerland: Book listing
-Better Skills, Better Jobs, Better Lives (print edition): Book listing
-Strengthening Integrity and Fighting Corruption in Education: Serbia: Book listing

EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Key employment statistics by country: Website

Does working more hours mean the economy is better off? OECD Observer article

Forthcoming
-Job Tasks, Work Skills and the Labour Market
-Closing the Gender Gap: Act Now: Book listing
-Connecting with Emigrants: A Global Profile of Diasporas: Book listing

ENERGY

Energy Statistics of Non-OECD Countries 2012 Printed versions now available! Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Energy Balances of Non-OECD Countries 2012 Printed versions now available! Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Coal Information 2012. Print version now available! Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Natural Gas Information 2012 Print version now available! Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Oil Market Report, September 2012: Highlights

IEA Executive Director inaugurates solar power plants in India: Press release

Forthcoming
-Electricity Security and a Climate-Constrained World:Book listing
-World Energy Outlook 2012
-Linking Renewable Energy to Sustainable Development: Book listing
-Energy and Climate Policy: Bending the Technology Trajectory: Book listing

ENVIRONMENT

Evaluation of Agri-Environmental Policies: Selected Methodological Issues and Case Studies: Read and Share | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

A Framework for Financing Water Resources Management: Print versions now available!. Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Six Years of OECD Work on The Safety of Manufactured Nanomaterials: Achievements and Future Opportunities: Brochure (PDF - 3.54 mb)

Forthcoming:
-Illegal Trade in Environmentally Sensitive Goods: Book listing
-Sustainable Materials Management: Making Better Use of Resources: Book listing
-OECD Insights: Water: Book listing
-Water Governance in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Multi-level Approach Book listing
-Energy and Climate Policy: Bending the Technology Trajectory: Book listing

HEALTH

Forthcoming
-Waiting Time Policies in the Health Sector: What Works: Book listing

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Methodology for Constructing Wireless Broadband Price Baskets: Working paper

Forthcoming
-OECD Internet Economy Outlook 2012: Book listing

NUCLEAR ENERGY

NEA Monthly News Bulletin for September features an article on NEA Director-General's trip to the Republic of Korea: Newsletter

A Supply and Demand Update of the Medical Radioisotope Market 2012: Report (PDF - 446 kb)

Unbundling payments for radioisotopes from radiopharmaceuticals and from diagnostic procedures: A tool to support the implementation of full-cost recovery: NEA Discussion Document (PDF - 303 kb)

PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

Competitive Neutrality: Maintaining a Level Playing Field between Public and Private Business: Read and Share | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Better Regulation in Europe: Greece 2012: Read and Share | Purchase book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming:
-Lobbyists, Governments and Public Trust, Volume 2: Promoting Integrity through Self-regulation: Book listing
-Stocktaking of Business Integrity and Anti-Bribery Legislation, Policies and Practices in Twenty African Countries: Book listing
-OECD Integrity Review of Brazil: Managing Risks for a Cleaner Public Service: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Regulatory Reform: Indonesia 2012: Strengthening Co-ordination and Connecting Markets: Book listing
-Water Governance in Latin America and the Caribbean: A Multi-level Approach Book listing

SCIENCE , TECHNOLOGY & INDUSTRY

Economic crisis and weak outlook hit R&D hard, says OECD Science, Technology and Industry Outlook 2012: Press release | Read and Share | Purchase on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Can industrial policy help growth? OECD Observer article

SMEs & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Forthcoming
-Women in Business: Policies to Support Women's Entrepreneurship Development in the MENA Region: Book listing
-SME Policy Index: Eastern Partner Countries 2012: Implementation of the Small Business Act in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Republic of Moldova and Ukraine: Book listing
-SME Policy Index: Western Balkans and Turkey 2012: Book listing

TAXATION

Argentina becomes the first South American country to become a Party to the Multilateral Convention on Mutual Administrative Assistance in Tax Matters: Announcement

OECD work on base erosion and profit shifting: Webpage

Forthcoming:
-Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital 2010: Full Electronic Version (eMTC)
On USB Flash Memory Key: Listing
-Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes Peer Reviews 2012:
--Argentina: Book listing
--Dominica: Book listing
--Marshall Islands: Book listing
--Niue: Book listing
--Rusian Federation: Book listing
--Samoa: Book listing
--Sint Maarten: Book listing
--Slovenia: Book listing
--South Africa: Book listing

TRADE

Monthly Export Credit Interest Rate Update: Website

Forthcoming:
-Illegal Trade in Environmentally Sensitive Goods: Book listing

TRANSPORTATION

Pedestrian Safety, Urban Space and Health. Printed versions now available. Read and Share | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Trends in the Transport Sector 2012 Printed versions now available! Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Create animations of transport data on Transport Explorer

URBAN, RURAL AND REGIONAL POLICY

OECD Territorial Review: Chicago Tri-State Metropolitan Region Printed versions now available! Read and Share | Purchase on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Ports and Regional Development: Working paper

The Competitiveness of Global Port-Cities: The Case of Helsinki - Finland: Working paper

Efficiency of World Ports in Container and Bulk Cargo (oil, coal, ores and grain): Working paper

Forthcoming
-Promoting Growth in All Regions: Book listing

FROM THE OECD INSIGHTS BLOG

Draw a datum and win a trip to Paris plus $2500 spending money!
Growing up in Scotland, you learn that we invented everything from heat and light to the deep fried Mars Bar (for people who want a heart attack but don’t want to wait). I could go on, but the list is long and the transition to what I’m supposed to write about will get even harder, so you’ll forgive me if I tell you right now that I’d never heard of William Playfair until I started this article. Born in 1759 in the parish of Liff and Benvie (which I’d never heard of either), Playfair invented the line graph, circle graph, bar chart (used in his 1786 Commercial and Political Atlas) and the pie chart (in his 1801 Statistical Breviary). Later in the century, famous nurse and less famous statistician Florence Nightingale developed a kind of pie chart, the polar area chart, to show that dirty hospitals had killed more British soldiers than enemy action in the Crimean War. Military operations are also behind what Edward Tufte of Yale University calls “probably the best statistical graphic ever drawn”, Charles Minard’s chart showing the losses of Napoleon’s army in Russia, along with temperatures, time and locations. Tufte himself is a professor of statistics but he’s more widely known for his criticisms of how slidewares are used (here’s Peter Norvig’s suggestion on how Lincoln could have improved the Gettysburg Address using PowerPoint) and for his work on data visualisation. And that’s the subject of this post. We’re offering a trip to the OECD Forum in Paris next spring for the best visualisation of data from Education at a Glance, published this morning. The winner will also receive a $2500 prize courtesy of GE. The theme is “Return on education”. The report says that people with higher (tertiary) education can expect to earn 55% more on average in OECD countries than a person without tertiary education. Those who have not completed secondary education earn 23% less than those who have. We’ll supply the raw data and your design will be judged on understanding, originality and style. It “should encourage comparison across the countries, and should reveal the individual statistics that go into these indicators. Additional education or economic data from the Education at a Glance or other OECD publications may also be included.” Deadline for entries is Friday, November 2, 2012, 11:59 pm EDT and we’ll announce the winner on Wednesday, November 14.

Is this as good as it gets?
Last Monday, Jan Zjederveld, Unilever’s director for Europe, told the German edition of the Financial Times that his company was adapting its marketing strategy to deal with “a return of poverty in Europe” by using sales methods that are successful in Asian developing countries. That means for example pushing entry-level lines rather than organic products or premium brands and selling small doses of cleaning products rather than a larger package that may now represent half a shopper’s budget. Unilever sees this as a strategy for hard times until things pick up again. But what if they don’t? Read more

Doom and gloom, continued
After Monday’s post about how bad things could get, I thought an article on the OECD’s interim global economic outlook released today would cheer you up. It won’t. English prepositions being what they are, “cheer you down” doesn’t exist, but if it did, down you would be cheered. A quick glance at the early reactions from the international media gives you the flavour, even if you don’t speak the languages: Rezession, récession, recessione. The OECD projects that the euro area’s three largest economies – Germany, France and Italy – will shrink at an annualised rate of 1 percent on average during the third quarter of this year and at 0.7 percent in the fourth. The euro area crisis is dragging down the rest of the world economy through its impacts on trade and business and consumer confidence. Read more

Cornflakes at the soup kitchen
Amira, the little girl in the photo, had her picture taken as part of a Save the Children campaign against poverty. Unfortunately, we’re used to similar images and actions, except that Amira lives in London and the campaign is the first in the charity’s history to help children in the UK. Read more

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