15 MAY 2012

HIGHLIGHTS

OECD Forum 2012 to be held 22-23 May 2012. Get your invitation!

OECD Insights - From Aid to Development: The Global Fight against Poverty: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Average tax burden on earnings in OECD countries continues to rise, says Taxing Wages 2011: Press release | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Better connected transport will drive greener growth, says ITF Transport Outlook 2012: Press release | Report (PDF - 1.67 mb)

EO Release (23 May)

Better Skills, Better Jobs (24 May)

African Economic Outlook (28 May)

OECD PUBLISHING NEWS

The winners of the 2012 OECD Video competition include Kato Jonan of Uganda, Rachit Sai Barak of India and Sharon Chan of Australia. See their videos about education and skills on the Video Competition Website. They were selected from over 180 entries from 52 countries, twice as many entries as last year.

OECD Subscription Prices for 2012: 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:

• Feria Internacional del Libro de Bogotá, 18 April-1 May, Bogata, Colombia
• International Bielefeld Conference, 24-26 April 2012, Bielefeld, Germany
• Inforum, 22-24 May 2012, Prague, Czech Republic
• Deutsche Bibliothekartag, 22-25 May 2012, Hamburg, Germany
• Jornadas AMBAC, 22-25 May 2012, Villahermosa, Mexico
• SAOIM, 5-8 June 2012, Johannesburg, South Africa
• American Library Association, 22-25 June 2012, Anaheim, California, USA
• Special Libraries Association, 15-18 July 2012, Chicago, Illinois, USA
• National Association for Business Economics, 13-16 October 2012, New York, New York, USA
  

AGRICULTURE/FOOD/FISHERIES

Co-operative Research Programme: Apply now for 2013 research fellowships and conference sponsorship: Announcement

Forthcoming
-OECD/FAO Agricultural Outlook 2012
-Agricultural Policy Monitoring and Evaluation 2012: OECD Countries
-OECD Review of Fisheries 2011: Policies and Summary Statistics: Book listing

BUSINESS & MARKETS

OECD Investment Policy Reviews: Zambia 2012 Print version now available: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Related Party Transactions and Minority Shareholder Rights Print version now available: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Brazil's financial model. Anyone wishing to gauge Brazil’s status as one of the world’s most lucrative emerging markets should look at the growth of its financial sector. OECD Observer interview with Cassio Antonio Calil of JP Morgan

Identification and Quantification of the Proceeds of Bribery: Revised edition, February 2012: Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary (PDF now available. Print version to come soon.

OECD calls for reform of governance in Towards New Arrangements for State Ownership in the Middle East and North Africa: Press release | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Investment Policy Reviews: Colombia 2012: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Investment Policy Reviews: Kazakhstan 2012: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming
-OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises
-Competitiveness and Private Sector Development: Ukraine 2011: Sector Competitiveness Strategy: Book listing
-Stocktaking of Business Integrity and Anti-Bribery Legislation, Policies and Practices in Twenty African Countries: Book listing
-OECD Pensions Outlook 2012: Book listing

DEVELOPMENT

African Economic Outlook (28 May)

OECD Insights - From Aid to Development: The Global Fight against Poverty: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Can we still Achieve the Millennium Development Goals? From Costs to Policies: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary (PDF version available now. Print version to come shortly)

Managing Risks in Fragile and Transitional Contexts: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Towards Better Humanitarian Donorship: Twelve Lessons from DAC Peer Reviews: Free Book on OECD iLibrary

Can we still Achieve the Millennium Development Goals? From Costs to Policies: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary (PDF version available now. Print version to come shortly)

International Support to Post-Conflict Transition: Rethinking Policy, Changing Practice Print version now available: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Aid to developing countries falls because of global recession: Press release

International Support to Post-Conflict Transition: Rethinking Policy, Changing Practice: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary (Printed book now available)

OECD Development Centre on Twitter: Announcement

Forthcoming
-OECD Insights - From Aid to Development: The Global Fight against Poverty (formerly titled OECD Insights: Development and Aid): Book listing
-Managing Risks in Fragile and Transitional Contexts: Book listing
-Stocktaking of Business Integrity and Anti-Bribery Legislation, Policies and Practices in Twenty African Countries: Book listing

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

EO Release (23 May)

Brazil's economy: Reaching new heights. Brazil has emerged as a global economic player and expectations are rising of further success ahead. But there are several tests to pass along the way.  OECD Observer article

OECD Economic Surveys: Korea 2012: Press release | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Journal: General Papers, Volume 2010 Issue 4 includes a series of papers on climate change in Africa: Subscribe to the OECD Journal | Issue on the OECD iLibrary

OECD’s Gurría welcomes Eurogroup measures to protect euro area economies: Press release

Promoting Inclusive Growth: Challenges and Policies: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Economic Surveys: Euro Area 2012. Print copies now available. Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Economic Surveys: European Union 2012. Print copies now available: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Economics Department Working Papers
-931: Less Income Inequality and More Growth – Are they Compatible? Part 8. The Drivers of Labour Income Inequality – A Literature Review
-950: Tax Reform in Norway: A Focus on Capital Taxation

OECD Economics Policy Papers
-1: Fiscal Consolidation: How Much, How Fast and by What Means? Press release

Forthcoming

ECONOMIC STATISTICS

OECD annual inflation rate eases to 2.7% in March 2012: Press release

Composite Leading Indicators release (10 May)

Global Employment (11 May)

Youth Unemployment (14 May)

Harmonised Unemployment (15 May)

Sluggish demand slows OECD GDP growth in the fourth quarter of 2011: Press release

OECD annual inflation rate remains stable at 2.8% in February 2012: Press release

OECD composite leading indicators point to potential turning point in economic activity in the Euro area and regained momentum in other major economies: Press release

OECD unemployment rate stable at 8.2% in February 2012: Press release

Measuring the Joint Distribution of Household’s Income, Consumption and Wealth Using Nested Atkinson Measures: OECD Statistics Working Paper

EDUCATION

Better Skills, Better Jobs (24 May)

Immigrant Children’s Age at Arrival and Assessment Results: Working Paper

School Funding Formulas :  Review of Main Characteristics and Impacts: Working Paper

Technology and Game Theory. Mobile phones and e-books are already essential school supplies on many university campuses. But they’re just slide rules compared to what education tools might look like in a few years. OECD Observer article

Languages in a Global World: Learning for Better Cultural Understanding: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Modernising Secondary School Buildings in Portugal: Free book on OECD iLibrary

PISA 2009 Technical Report Print version now available: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Learning beyond Fifteen: Ten Years after PISA Print version now available: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Portugal 2012: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary (PDF now available. Print version to come shortly)

Register for the OECD CELE Conference on Enhancing University Competitiveness through Educational Facilites, to be held in Seoul, Korea, 18-20 June 2012: Announcement

Register Now! IMHE General Conference 2012. Last chance for Early Bird rate! Announcement

Bridging the Skills Gap: Blog post

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

Forthcoming
-Languages in a Global World: Learning for Better Cultural Understanding: Book listing
-School Leadership: The creation of a common school culture: Teaching and Learning: International Survey (TALIS 2008 Data thematic report)
-Innovation in School Education: TALIS Thematic Report
-Preparing Teachers and Developing School Leaders for the 21st Century: Lessons from around the World: Book listing
-Public and Private Schools: How Management and Funding Relate to their Socio-economic Profile: Book listing
-Reviews of National Policies for Education: Higher Education in the Dominican Republic 2012: Book listing
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: Canada 2012: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Teacher Evaluation in Chile 2012: Book listing
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: Czech Republic 2012: Book listing
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: Japan 2012: Book listing
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: Korea 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
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: New Zealand 2012: Book listing
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: Norway 2012: Book listing
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: Portugal 2012: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: Slovak Republic 2012: Book listing
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: Sweden 2012: Book listing
-Quality Matters in Early Childhood Education and Care: United Kingdom 2012: Book listing
-OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training: Skills beyond School Review of Switzerland: Book listing
-Modernising Secondary School Buildings in Portugal: Book listing

EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

Better Skills, Better Jobs (24 May)

ICT Skills and Employment: New Competences and Jobs for a Greener and Smarter Economy: OECD Digital Economy Paper

The state's anti-poverty effect. Poverty rates are usually a measure of personal income. But how can public services affect relative poverty, that is, when the monetary value of public services, known as “extended income” is brought into the equation? OECD Observer article

Skills for innovation. As technology progresses, so do labour market needs. For economies today, maintaining competitiveness means that skills must adapt and keep pace. OECD Observer article

Gender (in)equality. Men earn more than women, work less, and occupy more of the top jobs – but women live longer, are better educated and get to retire younger. How best to harness the talents of both sexes for better lives all round? Website Article

Forthcoming
-Job Tasks, Work Skills and the Labour Market
-Jobs for Immigrants, Vol. 3: Labour Market Integration in Austria, Norway and Switzerland: Book listing
-OECD Pensions Outlook 2012: Book listing
-International Migration Outlook 2012: Book listing

ENERGY

Energy Policies of IEA Countries: United Kingdom 2012: Press release | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Despite high prices, IEA sees a turning of the tide in the latest IEA Oil Market Report, April 2012: Newsletter

Progress Implementing the IEA 25 Energy Efficiency Policy Recommendations:  2011 Evaluation: Working paper

Back by popular demand: IEA Training Week: Article (PDF - 145 kb)

What is the impact of high oil prices on the global economy? Slides (PDF - 354 kb)

Global database of bus transport systems launched: Press release

A busy, productive, challenging time: Article by IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven

Why does the IEA produce a coal market report? Article by senior coal analyst, Carlos Fernández Alvarez

To fulfill the COP accords, turn to the experts: IEA Journal Article

Fossil fuel independence: Denmark's path: IEA Journal article

Forthcoming
-Medium-Term Oil and Gas Markets 2011
-Energy Policies of OECD Countries: Slovak Republic 2011
-Electricity Security and a Climate-constrained World

ENVIRONMENT

OECD Environmental Performance Reviews: Germany 2012: Press release | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary (31 May)

Green chemistry. Economic growth over the past decades has led to improved quality of life, increased prosperity and longer, healthier lives in nearly all countries. Resource constraints are making us realise that to continue to enjoy these benefits we will have to change course towards more sustainable or greener growth. OECD Observer article

Making Green Growth Deliver. Environment Ministers reviewed the implementation of the Environmental Strategy, discussed priorities based on the Environmental Outlook to 2050 which is a strong case for green growth policies and adopted a policy statement as input to Rio+20 UN Conference. Website | OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050 on Online Bookshop | OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050 on OECD iLibrary

HEALTH

OECD Reviews of Health Care Quality: Korea 2012: Raising Standards (Print copies now available): Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming
--OECD Reviews of Health Systems: Russian Federation 2012: Book listing

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

ICT Skills and Employment: New Competences and Jobs for a Greener and Smarter Economy: OECD Digital Economy Paper

Developments in Mobile Termination: Announcement | Report

Measuring the Internet: The Data Challenge: Working paper

NUCLEAR ENERGY

NEA Annual Report 2011:

Nuclear Education and Training: From Concern to Capability: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Indian Nuclear Regulatory Body (AERB) joins the Multinational Design Evaluation Programme (MDEP): Press release

Reversibility of Decisions and Retrievability of Radioactive Waste: Report (PDF - 6.18 mb)

International Structure for Decommissioning Costing (ISDC) of Nuclear Installations: Report (PDF - 33 mb)

International Criticality Safety Benchmark Evaluation Project Handbook. Available on on DVD or online. Announcement

PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

Redefining Urban: A New Way of Measuring Metropolitan Areas: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Urban Policy Reviews, Korea 2012: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Industrial Policy and Territorial Development: Lessons from Korea: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Institutional and Financial Relations across Levels of Government Print version now available: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Territorial Reviews: Chihuahua, Mexico 2012: Book on Online Bookshop Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Integrity Review of Brazil: Managing Risks for a Cleaner Public Service: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Recommendation of the Council on Regulatory Policy and Governance: Announcement

Forthcoming:
-Lobbyists, Governments and Public Trust, Volume 2: Promoting Integrity through Self-regulation: Book listing
-Working Smarter in Revenue Administration: Book listing
-Promoting Growth in All Regions: Book listing
-Stocktaking of Business Integrity and Anti-Bribery Legislation, Policies and Practices in Twenty African Countries: Book listing
-Compact City Policies: A Comparative Assessment: Book listing
-OECD Territorial Review: Chicago Tri-State Metropolitan Region: Book listing
-Industrial Policy and Territorial Development: Lessons from Korea: Book listing
-Evaluating Laws and Regulations:The Case of the Chilean Chamber of Deputies: Book listing

SCIENCE , TECHNOLOGY & INDUSTRY

Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs 2012: An OECD Scoreboard: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming
-Industrial Policy and Territorial Development: Lessons from Korea: Book listing

SMEs & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Financing SMEs and Entrepreneurs 2012: An OECD Scoreboard: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming
-Enterpreneurship at a Glance 2012

TAXATION

Pressure to end tax evasion grows as the Global Forum publishes new reviews: Press release | See list of new reviews below | Series on Online Bookshop | Series on OECD iLibrary

--Brazil 2012, Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

--Chile 2012, Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

--Costa Rica 2012, Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

--Cyprus 2012, Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

--Czech Republic 2012, Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

--Guatemala 2012, Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

--Republic of Korea 2012, Combined: Phase 1 + Phase 2: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

--Malta 2012, Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

--Mexico 2012, Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

--Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 2012, Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

--Slovak Republic 2012, Phase 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Benefits and Wages: Tax-Benefit calculator: Webpage

Forthcoming:
-Working Smarter in Revenue Administration: Book listing
-Taxing Wages 2011: Book listing
-Model Tax Convention on Income and on Capital 2010: Full Electronic Version (eMTC)
On USB Flash Memory Key: Listing
-Model Tax Convention on Income and Capital 2010: Full Version Book listing

TRADE

Export credit Country Risk Classification and the Multilateral/Regional Financial Institutions Risk Classification as of 30 March 2012 are available: Webpage

Monthly Export Credit Interest Rate Update: Website

TRANSPORTATION

Better connected transport will drive greener growth, says ITF Transport Outlook 2012: Press release | Report (PDF - 1.67 mb)

Global database of bus transport systems launched: Press release

April 2012 ITF Newsletter: Newsletter (PDF - 29 kb)

Road Safety Annual Report 2011: Report (PDF - 8.71 mb)

Building the "Internet of things": Policy Brief

Register now for ITF's Annual Summit, to be held 2-4 May 2012 in Leipzig: ITF Annual Summit

FROM THE OECD INSIGHTS BLOG

In praise of conflict
Absent the occasional nihilist, anarchist, or arms dealer, it is hard to find anyone sane who wishes conflict well.  The human costs of war, from Afghanistan to the Congo to the Balkans, are all too real; the backdrop of a century of global conflict all too recent. Striving for peace, the absence of conflict, is not a bad thing, and most folks that do it are also realistic about the need to keep one’s guard up in a dangerous world (as Trotsky is reputed to have growled, “you may not be interested in war, but war is interested in you.”).  But there is perhaps a more important nuance, as pointed out by those eminent social critics, The Jefferson Airplane: “Soon you’ll attain the stability you strive for, in the only way it is granted, in a place among the fossils of our time.”  Less poetically, the obvious costs of violence and war tend to blind most people to the importance of conflict to innovation and creativity. Read more

EU public procurement: Opening markets by example, and if that doesn’t work…
How do you open markets world wide, to the benefit of European consumers, companies and jobs? Europe’s answer to that question is equally short: we lead by example. We are the world’s largest single market, and our foreign trade policy is actively focused on further liberalising trade through both multilateral and bilateral negotiations. But what happens if others don’t follow our example? What incentives do our partners have to open their markets to our businesses when their own businesses have full access to ours? Read more

Development aid drops for the first time in 15 years
Figures just published by the OECD show that major donors’ aid to developing countries, known as Official Development Assistance or ODA, fell by nearly 3%  to 133.5 billion in 2011 compared to 2010, the first drop since 1997 when debt relief figures are not included. This global average hides even worse news. Within total net ODA, aid for core bilateral projects and programmes (in other words, excluding debt relief grants and humanitarian aid) fell by 4.5% in real terms and by 8.9% for flows to the Least Developed Countries. Read more

The Benefits of Transparency in Development
Transparent practices form the basis for enhanced accountability.’ This quote from the Busan Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation, agreed in Korea late last year, describes transparency as one of the pillars of a new framework for development co-operation that is founded on collective voluntary commitment to change behaviour and reinvigorate development. Institutions depend on transparency to facilitate the participation of citizens in the development process by building the relations and trust that unify citizens and governments – all governments. In donor countries, this is fundamental as providers of development co-operation are called on to respond to growing demands from their citizens for information on the “value for money” of development co-operation. Likewise, developing country citizens are increasingly insistent on knowing who development flows are benefitting and how. Read more

Shining a light on autism
The best (and worst) answer ever to the question “Why is the sky blue?” has to be “Because God’s a boy”. The answer to why the OECD is turning blue this evening is more straightforward: our colleague Debbie Bloch and her daughter Emma persuaded the Organisation to join in Light it up Blue night, where all kinds of buildings from public monuments to people’s homes will be lit with blue bulbs to mark the fifth UN World Autism Awareness Day. You can see some spectacular examples from last year here (and not just buildings, check out the Niagara Falls). France has designated autism as this year’s Grande cause nationale, a distinction that raises the media and political profile of the cause chosen. Emma is one of millions of people worldwide on the autism spectrum, and mother and daughter will be taking an active part in the initiative. “I’m glad that France is finally doing something about autism,” says Emma, “helping people understand that we’re different, not crazy.” Read more

Getting to the heart of service learning
If you follow education, you’ll know that somebody somewhere is always banging on about The Next Big Thing. It’s easy to become sceptical – I mean, how did any of us ever learn to read or write before the invention of the Smart Board? That’s why I was a little worried when, in a previous posting, I noted that service learning – which combines academic learning with volunteering – is  “one of the fastest growing educational initiatives”. Might it be just another new fad? Read more

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