TRADE PARTNERS' EDITION, 1 DECEMBER 2011

HIGHLIGHTS

Medical care improving but better prevention and management of chronic diseases needed to cut costs, says Health at a Glance 2011: OECD Indicators: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary Always a bestseller!

Fast growing countries should turn new found growth into social progress, says Perspectives on Global Development: Social Cohesion in a Shifting World: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary Article on the OECD Insights blog got an amazing number of hits, showing wide interest in this book.

Political courage in Durban needed to combat climate change, says OECD’s Gurría: Press release | Book announcement

OECD PUBLISHING NEWS

OECD to lauch 2012 Video Competion. Help choose a theme now! Announcement Librarians may want to promote this to their students.

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:

• Asian-Pacific Conference on Measuring Well-Being and Fostering the Progress of Societies, 5-6 December 2011, Tokyo, Japan
• Allied Social Sciences Association (American Economics Association): 6-8 January 2012, Chicago, IL USA
• American Library Association Midwinter Meeting, 20-24 January 2012, Dallas, TX USA
  

AGRICULTURE/FOOD/FISHERIES

The Development Policy Evaluation Model(DEVPEM): Technical Documentation: Working paper

Modelling the Distributional Implications of Agricultural Policies in Developing Countries:  The Development Policy Evaluation Model (DEVPEM): Working paper

Forthcoming
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Food and Agriculture: Book listing
-Fostering Productivity and Competitiveness in Agriculture: Book listing

BUSINESS & MARKETS

Improving Financial Education Efficiency: OECD-Bank of Italy Symposium on Financial Literacy: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Proceeds from bribery can - and must- be accurately calculated in order to impose appropriate penalties, says Identification and Quantification of the Proceeds of Bribery: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Designing Optimal Risk Mitigation and Risk Transfer Mechanisms to Improve the Management of Earthquake Risk in Chile: Working paper

Global Forum on International Investment to be held at OECD 6 December 2011: Website

Banks in the balance: OECD Observer article

Forthcoming
-The Role of Institutional Investors in Promoting Good Corporate Governance: Book listing
-OECD Guidelines on Corporate Governance of State-Owned Enterprises: Book listing
-OECD Guidelines on Insurer Governance: Book listing
-Competitiveness and Private Sector Development: Ukraine 2011: Sector Competitiveness Strategy: Book listing
-Financing High-Growth Firms: The Role of Angel Investors: Book listing
-Annual Report on the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises 2011: A New Agenda for the Future: Book listing

DEVELOPMENT

Fast growing countries should turn new found growth into social progress, says Perspectives on Global Development: Social Cohesion in a Shifting World: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Growth remains solid in the medium term says Southeast Asian Economic Outlook 2012: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop Book to be available January 2012. It won't be on the iLibrary until that time.

Aid Effectiveness 2011: A Progress Report on Implementing the Paris Declaration: OECD Observer Article | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

International Engagement in Fragile States: Can't We Do Better? Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Tackling the Policy Challenges of Migration: Regulation, Integration, Development: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Strengthening Accountability in Aid for Trade (print copies now available): Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Monitoring and Evaluation for Adaptation:  Lessons from Development Co-operation Agencies: Working paper

The DAC Global Relations Strategy: Information sheet

Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness: Webpage

17th Africa Partnership Forum, Addis Ababa:16th November 2011: Joint statement | Meeting documents

Forthcoming
-Southeast Asian Economic Outlook 2011/2012: Book listing
-Latin American Economic Outlook 2012: Book listing
-OECD Insights: Development and Aid : Book listing

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENTS

Decisive policy actions are needed to stop the economic crisis from deepening, OECD Chief Economist warns on launch of OECD Economic Outlook, Volume 2011, Issue 2: Press release | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary Print edition to come shortly.

Czech recovery slowing as trade falters finds OECD Economic Surveys: Czech Republic 2011: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Beating the crisis: The role of the OECD and the G20: Webpage

House prices. Which way now? OECD Observer article

Country roundup: OECD Observer article

OECD Economics Department Working Papers
-No. 907: Overcoming the Banking Crisis in Ireland
-No. 906: Macroeconomic and Structural Policies to Further Stabilise the Mexican Economy
-No. 905: Reaping the Benefits of a Transition to Greener Growth in Slovakia

Forthcoming
-OECD Economic Surveys: Israel 2011: Book listing
-OECD Economic Surveys: Russian Federation 2011: Book listing
-OECD Economic Outlook, Volume 2011, Issue 2 (Print edition): Book listing

ECONOMIC STATISTICS

Merchandise trade growth stalls in most major economies in third quarter of 2011: Press release

Strong growth in Japan pushes OECD GDP growth to 0.6% in the third quarter of 2011: Press release

OECD annual inflation rate eases slightly to 3.2% in October 2011: Press release

Linking Policies to Well-Being Outcomes Through Micro-Simulation: Working paper

New Understanding and Insights from Time-Series Data Based on Two Generic Measures:  S-Time-Distance and S-Time-Step: Working paper

Forthcoming:
-OECD Factbook 2012: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics: Book listing First copies to be available here in Paris on December 7. Order your supply today!

EDUCATION

How about better parents? The New York Times' Thomas Friedman on PISA findings: Article

US should rethink how it compensates teachers: Article by Andreas Schelicher

Building a High-Quality Teaching Profession: Lessons from Around the World: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training: A Learning for Jobs Review of Austria 2008 (PDF only): Book freely available on Online Bookshop | To come on OECD iLibrary soon!

OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training: A Learning for Jobs Review of Belgium Flanders 2010 (PDF only): Book freely available on Online Bookshop | Book to come on OECD iLibrary soon!

OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training: A Learning for Jobs Review of the Czech Republic 2010 (PDF only): Book freely available on Online Bookshop | Book to come on OECD iLibrary soon!

OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training: A Learning for Jobs Review of England and Wales 2009 (PDF only): Book freely available on Online Bookshop | Book to come on OECD iLibrary soon!

OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training: A Learning for Jobs Review of Germany 2010 (PDF only): Book freely available on Online Bookshop | Book to come on OECD iLibrary soon!

OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training: A Learning for Jobs Review of Hungary 2008 (PDF only): Book freely available on Online Bookshop | Book to come on OECD iLibrary soon!

OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training: A Learning for Jobs Review of Sweden 2008 (PDF only): Book freely available on Online Bookshop | Book to come on OECD iLibrary soon!

OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training: A Learning for Jobs Review of Switzerland 2009 (PDF only): Book freely available on Online Bookshop | Book to come on OECD iLibrary soon!

OECD Reviews of Vocational Education and Training: A Learning for Jobs Review of the United States, South Carolina 2011 (PDF only): Book freely available on Online Bookshop | Book to come on OECD iLibrary soon!

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

Forthcoming
-Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education: Lessons from PISA for Japan
-Strong Performers and Successful Reformers in Education: Lessons from PISA for Greece: Book listing
-School Leadership: The creation of a common school culture: Teaching and Learning: International Survey (TALIS 2008 Data thematic report): Book listing
-Starting Strong III: Policy Toolbox to Encourage Quality in Early Childhood Education and Care: Book listing
-Languages in a Global World: Learning for Better Cultural Understanding: Book listing
-Innovation in School Education: TALIS Thematic Report
-OECD Review of Evaluation and Assessment in Education: School Evaluation in the Flemish Community of Belgium 2011: Book listing

EMPLOYMENT & SOCIAL AFFAIRS

The Labour Market Integration of Immigrants and their Children in Austria: Working paper

Trade and Employment: The Case of Denmark and Spain: Working paper

Growing Free Labour Mobility Areas and Trends in International Migration: Conference Closing Remarks by John P. Martin

Forthcoming
-Job Tasks, Work Skills and the Labour Market
-OECD Reviews of Labour Market and Social Policies: Russian Federation 2011: Book listing
-Divided We Stand: Why Inequality Keeps Rising (Previously titled The Causes of Growing Inequality): Book listing
-Mental Health and Employment: Challenging the Myths: Book listing
-Pensions at a Glance Asia/Pacific 2011: Book listing

ENERGY

Deploying Renewables 2011 assesses challenges and shows how to overcome obstables: Press release | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Solar Energy Perspectives: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Russia must invest USD 100 billion a year to meet domestic and international demand for its energy resources: Latest information

Efforts to restore oil production in Libya are progressing faster than anticipated: Latest information

Rethink fossil fuel subsidies: OECD Observer article

Forthcoming
-Medium-Term Oil and Gas Markets 2011
-Inventory of Estimated Budgetary Support and Tax Expenditures for Fossil Fuels: Book listing
-Energy Policies of OECD Countries: Slovak Republic 2011

ENVIRONMENT

Lies and Dam Facts. If America’s great civil works such as the Hoover Dam, the Grand Coulee Dam or the Tennessee Valley Authority were proposed today, they would most likely remain ink on paper. Common sense and dealing with the right people would help unblock badly needed investment in water in developing countries. OECD Observer article

Investing in Water. On 8 September 1854, London health authorities removed the handle of a water pump located at the juncture of Cambridge and Broad Streets. The well was famous in the city for the sweetness of its water. This fact was all the more astonishing because the well was also responsible for the deaths, in less than a fortnight, of nearly 700 people. OECD Observer article

3593 J-CHECK endpoints can now be searched in eChemPortal. Users of eChemPortal are now able to search on 3593 specific endpoint properties for chemical substances contained in the Japan CHEmicals Collaborative Knowledge database. J-CHECK is a database developed to provide information regarding the "Act on the Evaluation of Chemical Substances and Regulation of Their Manufacture, etc." (CSCL) by the Japanese authorities. Today, 657802 chemicals and 560920 property endpoints can be searched in eChemPortal.

Climate Change, Employment and Local Development, Sidney, Australia: Working paper

Private Sector Engagement in Adaptation to Climate Change: Approaches to Managing Climate Risks: Working paper

Monitoring and Evaluation for Adaptation:  Lessons from Development Co-operation Agencies: Working paper

Forthcoming
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Energy
-OECD Green Growth Studies: Food and Agriculture:
-OECD Environmental Outlook to 2050

HEALTH

Medical care improving but better prevention and management of chronic diseases needed to cut costs, says Health at a Glance 2011: OECD Indicators: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming:
-Health Reform: Meeting the Challenge of Ageing and Multiple Morbidities: Book listing

INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATIONS TECHNOLOGY

Digital Identity Management for Natural Persons:  Enabling Innovation and Trust in the Internet Economy - Guidance for Government Policy Makers: Working paper

Forthcoming
-Review of Telecommunication Policy and Regulation in Mexico: Book listing

NUCLEAR ENERGY

Nuclear fact and figures: Webpage

PUBLIC MANAGEMENT

OECD Territorial Reviews: Slovenia 2011: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

OECD Journal on Budgeting, Volume 2011, Issue 3 includes articles on repairing the budget contract between citizens and the state, independent fiscal institutions, the fiscal stimulus programme and public governance issues in China and the performance framework of the Australian government: Subscribe to the OECD Journal | Issue on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming:
-Lobbyists, Governments and Public Trust, Volume 2: Promoting Integrity through Self-regulation
-OECD Regional Outlook 2011: Building Resilient Regions for Stronger Economies: Book listing
-OECD Territorial Reviews: The Gauteng City-Region, South Africa 2011: Book listing
-Ministerial Advisors: Role, Influence and Management: Book listing
-Value for Money in Government: Denmark 2011: Book listing
-Public Servants as Partners for Growth: Toward a Stronger, Leaner and More Equitable Workforce: Book listing
-Reforming Fiscal Federalism and Local Government: Lessons from Ten Country Studies: Book listing

SCIENCE , TECHNOLOGY & INDUSTRY

OECD Reviews of Innovation Policy: Peru 2011: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Forthcoming:
-Financing High-Growth Firms: The Role of Angel Investors: Book listing
-Intellectual Assets and Innovation: The SME Dimension: Book listing

SMEs & ENTREPRENEURSHIP

OECD Studies on SMEs and Entrepreneurship Thailand: Key Issues and Policies: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Climate Change, Employment and Local Development, Sidney, Australia: Working paper

Forthcoming:
-Intellectual Assets and Innovation: The SME Dimension: Book listing

TAXATION

Tax revenues stabilise in OECD countries in 2010, says Revenue Statistics 2011: Press release | Book announcement | Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary Got press coverage and is a topic getting media attention. Worth promoting!

OECD experts meet to discuss VAT policy design and application of VAT to international trade: Summary of meeting

G20 agrees on tax: OECD Observer article

OECD Model Tax Convention: Public comments received on the discussion draft on tax treaty issues related to the trading of emissions permits:

• Business and Industry Advisory Committee to the OECD
• The Chartered Institute of Taxation
• IFA Grupo Mexicano

OECD meets with business commentators on definitional and ownership issues related to transfer pricing for intangibles: Press release

Tax havens in reverse. OECD Observer article

Forthcoming:
-Inventory of Estimated Budgetary Support and Tax Expenditures for Fossil Fuels: Book listing Book to come in January.

TRADE

Strengthening Accountability in Aid for Trade: Book on Online Bookshop | Book on OECD iLibrary

Global Imbalances:  Trade Effects and Policy Challenges: Working paper

Trade is essential to global economic recovery and protectionism would be harmful, says Professor Jagdish Bhagwati of Columbia University in this interview at OECD: Video

Forthcoming:
-OECD Statistics on International Trade in Services, Volume 2011 Issue 2: Detailed Tables by Partner Country: Book listing

TRANSPORTATION

ITF Secretary-General resigns: Press release

Transport Infrastructure  & Network Adaptation to Climate Change: Issues & strategies for ports: Power Point presentation

Forthcoming
-Strategic Transport Infrastructure Needs to 2030

FROM THE OECD INSIGHTS BLOG

Of kissing, the less the better
The world’s 7 billionth baby was born today, or a couple of years ago, or maybe will be born in a couple of years from now. Demographers can’t say exactly when we reach the magic number, but Halloween 2011 is as good a guess as any. Many experts agree though that there’s never been a worse time to be a child. Read more

Triple A shocks?
Thanks to mass media and social media, awareness of risks (and imagined risks) is growing, while at the same time local difficulties can quickly become global shocks due to the increased physical and virtual mobility of people, concepts and things. But resilience has increased too. For instance, power failures rarely last long in OECD countries because providers have backups and can call on diversified sources. France had to shut or power down 17 nuclear reactors during the 2003 heat wave, but that didn’t deprive any customer of electricity. But is diversity necessarily a good thing? Read more

World Energy Outlook: Locking ourselves in to an unsustainable future
The neighbour of a friend has a plan to supply cheap, sustainably-sourced energy using a combination of tidal power and electric eels. I can’t tell you the details because he doesn’t want the big oil companies to steal his idea, but he’s not the only one promoting crackpot schemes to fuel the world economy. The latest World Energy Outlook 2011 published today by our colleagues at the IEA describes a number of insecure, inefficient and downright dangerous approaches, known as the “business as usual” scenario. Read more

The Policy Challenges of The Techno-Human Condition
Remember the beginning of the film 2001: A Space Odyssey where, after appropriate exposure to a mysterious monolith, an ape begins to play with some bones?  At first, he’s simply an ape holding a bone; but then a fundamental change occurs: he begins to realize it’s not just a bone, it’s a weapon, a source of power that can crush skulls, and other animals.  In other words, the ape integrates with the artifact to create a technology, and in doing so, becomes the prototypic cyborg. Yet techno-human enhancement is far from just a subject of fiction. It has become a policy question, a particularly daunting one in terms of its complexity. Read more

Against the Odds : Talking Your Way Out of Conflict and Fragility?
Violent conflict wastes lives and sets development into reverse. Past investment is reduced to rubble and institutions are destroyed that took decades to build. Violence also casts a long shadow over the future. Helping countries to consolidate peace and build effective and legitimate states is essential to reduce these devastating effects and to achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Sadly, current ways of working in situations of conflict and fragility are ineffective and, despite significant investment, the Paris Declaration and the Accra Agenda for Action, results are limited.  Why is that? Read more

Unsuitable for wives and servants?
Apart from the OECD and the Bobby Darin Dream Car, this year marks two other major anniversaries, both linked to books: the publication of the King James Bible in 1611 and DH Lawrence’s  Lady Chatterley in 1961. By the time you get to the end of this article, I hope to have thought of an OECD link for the KJB, but for the torrid tale of her ladyship and the hired help, there are a couple of possibilities, the first and most obvious being the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. In 1930, this raised import duties on thousands of items coming into the US and is now widely condemned as having made the Great Depression worse, since America’s trading partners retaliated. President Hoover said that the Smoot-Hawley Act was “vicious, extortionate, and obnoxious”.  Today of course, what you’d be more likely to get is something like: “While we share the concerns of Senators Smoot and Hawley, we feel more discussion is required on certain aspects of their proposed solution”. That said, OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría was less mealy-mouthed the other day at the OECD Global Forum on Trade  when he talked about the “phantom of protectionism again showing its ugly face”. Read more

Social cohesion: making it happen
A famous Deng Xiaoping quote goes : “Let some people get rich first”. Yet, in Spring 2011, the Beijing city authorities banned all outdoor advertisement of luxury goods on the grounds that they might contribute to a “politically unhealthy environment”. The trouble with growth is that inequalities tend to rise with it. Growth does not necessarily translate into better life satisfaction – far from it, as the experience of Thailand or Tunisia shows. What happens when the fruits of growth are not shared, when people feel that income inequalities are rising and food prices soaring? Well, that’s when the so-called “politically unhealthy environment” sets in. How can governments foster social cohesion? Perspectives on Global Development: Social Cohesion in a Shifting Worldfrom the OECD Development Centre published today, answers this. Read more

OECD Economic Outlook: Global economy weakening
The global economy has deteriorated significantly since our previous Economic Outlook. Advanced economies are slowing and the euro area appears to be in a mild recession. Concerns about sovereign debt sustainability in the European monetary union are becoming increasingly widespread. Recent contagion to countries thought to have relatively solid public finances could massively escalate economic disruption if not addressed. Unemployment remains very high in many OECD economies and, ominously, long-term unemployment is becoming increasingly common. Emerging economies are still growing at a healthy pace, but their growth rates are also moderating. In these countries falls in commodity prices and slower global growth have started to mitigate inflationary pressures. More recently, international trade growth has weakened significantly. Contrary to what was expected earlier this year, the global economy is not out of the woods. Read more