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2009 has begun in the midst of the most serious economic crisis in decades. Finding innovative solutions to the global challenges of development, poverty and inequality is more pressing than ever. Such solutions can only be found by combining expertise with humility and intellectual candour; by letting in new ideas from outside the rich countries’ clubs.
As the place that brings the OECD and the emerging world together, the Development Centre has a special responsibility in this respect. Our 2009-2010 work programme is entirely geared towards this objective of calling in different perspectives, so as to bring sound recommendations to bear in the policy arena.
Here is a snapshot of our activities in the next biennium.
A new Global Development Outlook
Beyond the global credit crisis, a major shift is underway in economic and political power towards the “East” and the “South”. With the contribution of prestigious scholars from Asia, Africa and Latin America, leading business and civil society actors, the Global Development Outlook (GDO) will monitor the impacts of the changing global economy on development, poverty and inequality in the world, and promote change by proposing innovative policy solutions drawn from the Development Centre’s direct access to top decision makers in OECD and emerging countries. The first edition of the GDO will be published in 2010.
Migration, labour markets and women's rights
The shift in global wealth already affects anti-poverty strategies, as does the crisis. Our work on Poverty Reduction and Social Development will analyse current and future challenges. We will look closely into the economic slowdown’s impact on international labour mobility, the new stress it causes on the labour markets of sending countries and on remittances, and its consequences for women’s social and economic empowerment. Our next Latin American Economic Outlook will explore the contribution of the movement of people, money and ideas to economic, political and social progress.
Innovation and development
The ICTs market revenue in low income countries jumped from USD 10 billion in 1996 to USD 60 billion in 2006: is this good business, development or both? We will tell the African success stories of innovation in Information and Communication Technologies, and assess the challenges ahead. We are also partnering with INSEAD and the Telefónica Foundation to produce a groundbreaking Innovation Index benchmarking the various dimensions of innovation in Latin America. This pioneering report will be out in Spring 2010.
New, improved Regional Economic Outlooks
In 2009, the African Development Bank, the Development Centre and the UN Economic Commission for Africa will be launching an innovative web version of their acclaimed African Economic Outlook (AEO). This new platform will provide a one-stop-shop for data and analysis of the performance and perspectives of 47 African economies. As for the Latin American Economic Outlook (LEO), it will include for the first time a macroeconomic overview and self-standing country notes, monitoring the impact of the global economic crisis on the principal economies of the region. Finally, we are setting up a brand new Asia & Pacific Desk to support the OECD dialogue with South East Asia.
Development Cooperation re-loaded
Together with Development Assistance Committee (DAC) we are launching a new cycle of the OECD Global Forum on Development over 2009-10, with stronger emphasis on the priorities expressed by non-OECD countries on our Governing Board. Our DevCom team will continue to support DAC members as well as new aid agencies in emerging countries in their efforts to communicate about development results and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Strengthening dialogue with the private sector
The Development Centre will also continue to strengthen co-operation and direct dialogue between the OECD and the private sector through the Emerging Markets Network. Bringing together multinational corporations from OECD and emerging economies in a unique network, EmNet will keep promoting expertise and experience-sharing on pressing financial, economic and development issues. Furthermore, EmNet will continue publicizing OECD research and recommendations at the highest levels of its membership.
Finally, we are setting up a brand new Asia & Pacific Desk. The launch of its Southeast Asian Economic Outlook (SAEO) in 2010 will be the first result of our close collaboration with the ASEAN Secretariat. The Centre will also continue its Black Sea and Central Asia initiative with a focus on private sector development.
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