OECD develops new tool to help schools improve

The OECD has developed a new tool to help individual schools benchmark their students’ proficiency in reading, mathematics and science against the world’s top education systems. It will also give educators an insight into the learning environments at schools so they can consider ways to improve student learning.

Aid to poor countries slips further as governments tighten budgets

Development aid fell by 4% in real terms in 2012, following a 2% fall in 2011. The continuing financial crisis and euro zone turmoil has led several governments to tighten their budgets, which has had a direct impact on aid to poor countries. There is also a noticeable shift in aid away from the poorest countries and towards middle-income countries. A moderate recovery in aid levels is expected in 2013.

Consumer Prices, OECD - Updated: 3 April 2013

Consumer prices in the OECD area rose by 1.8% in the year to February 2013, compared with 1.7% in the year to January 2013. This slight increase in the annual rate of inflation masks opposing movements in energy and food prices.

Global economy is improving but Europe lags behind, says OECD

Global economic activity is picking up, but the continuing crisis in the euro area is delaying a meaningful recovery, the OECD said in its latest Interim Economic Assessment.

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Tax burdens on labour income in OECD countries continue to rise

New data show that across OECD countries the average tax and social security burden on employment incomes increased by 0.1 of a percentage point to 35.6 per cent in 2012. It increased in 19 out of 34 countries, fell in 14, and remained unchanged in 1.

2013 Global Forum on Development 4-5 April 2013

The OECD’s annual Global Development Forum will focus on ways to reduce poverty and promote social cohesion. OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, with Olusengun Obasanjo, the former President of Nigeria, will open the Forum at 13:00 on Thursday 4 April. They will be joined by the Chair of the Development Assistance Committeee, Eric Solheim.

Ireland: Boosting local jobs and growth – international experts meet in Dublin and Kilkenny

Cutting unemployment and fostering new sources of economic growth will be the focus of an international meeting of local development experts and practitioners in Dublin and Kilkenny on the 26 and 27 March 2013.

Speeding up reforms will foster more inclusive and greener growth in China

China has made tremendous progress toward achieving inclusive growth, but major reforms are needed to ensure a fourth decade of rapidly converging living standards and a greener economy, according to the OECD’s latest Economic Survey of China.

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• Stepping up the pace of reform and fostering greener and more inclusive growth in China

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Regrettably low awareness in the private sector is an obstacle to the fight against foreign bribery in the Czech Republic

The Czech government must urgently engage with the private sector to raise awareness, says a new OECD report. The awareness of the Czech foreign bribery offence remains regrettably low among companies, despite the recent adoption of a comprehensive corporate liability regime that holds Czech companies liable for this crime.

Denmark must investigate foreign bribery more proactively

Denmark’s enforcement of its foreign bribery laws has been weak. Only 13 foreign bribery allegations have surfaced, and sanctions have been imposed in just one case that falls under the Convention. Law enforcement authorities have not been sufficiently proactive, and cases have been prematurely closed without complete investigations. Denmark must take more investigative steps and make greater efforts to gather evidence from abroad.