For the last two years, the debate on the economy has centered around inflation.
After reaching a 40-year high last summer, inflation as measured by economists is now approaching normal levels. But despite the rapid slowdown, millions still feel squeezed by a decades-long affordability crisis.
Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans struggled to afford sky-high prices
John Hoffmire: I’m always interested to hear how someone’s career evolves and, in some ways, changes direction. I often refer to such a career path as “following the current” as in the current of a river. It seems like your career has been a bit like that, would you agree?
Amita: Yes, I think I would agree that
While the steep rise of inequality in the United States is well-known, long-run data on the incomes of the richest shows countries have followed a variety of trajectories. Here are four articles, written by Joe Hasell for Our World in Data, that explore a wide range of indicators on inequality and poverty
The private sector of the economy is an important component in helping individuals climb out of poverty. In the last forty years, we have seen dramatic examples of the power of the private sector. China’s recent emergence as a world economic power has helped lift millions of its citizens out of poverty. In order to
Finding opportunities and sorting them out from grand possibilities is what Mo Ibrahim has done throughout his lifetime. However, in attempting to change the perceptions of an entire continent, Ibrahim has elevated the scale of his ambitions to a different realm altogether.
Uber’s takeover of the “I need a ride” industry can be compared to Amazon’s takeover of the “I want to buy something” industry. Some love it, some hate it, but like it or not, it’s happening. Uber’s success is indicative of a new employment movement sweeping the globe: the sharing economy. Take a look at
The private sector of the economy is an important component in helping individuals climb out of poverty. In the last 40 years, we have seen dramatic examples of the power of the private sector. China’s recent emergence as a world economic power has helped lift millions of its citizens out of poverty. In order to
For hundreds of years, many societies have delegated the responsibility to care for the underprivileged to governments and charities. However, the past two decades have seen a surge in the number of businesses taking interest in providing opportunities and resources to disadvantaged individuals, families and communities. Perhaps the most striking examples have come from developing
The beacon of development often conjures up images of radical innovations, disruptive models and leapfrog technologies. And yet, as nations attempt to embrace the promises of development, there is often a colossal failure of both imagination and execution in providing for even the most basic of human needs. Measurable social change, ensuring a degree of
Worldwide, over 1 billion people live in extreme poverty. That is, they make less than $1.25 a day. Moreover, until recently, about 3 billion people, who represented about half the world population, lived on less than $2.50 a day. These World Bank figures speak volumes about how big the poverty problem is. The size of
The current predicaments of Greece and Puerto Rico have been a long time in the making. No single policy or economic agreement is to blame, but the difficulties involved in both situations are likely to negatively impact many people, creditors and debtors alike. Unfortunately, regardless of the resolutions, it is probable that the poor will
Explore the UN’s SDG website: Act Now
In September 2015, at the United Nations Sustainable Development Summit in New York, new Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) were adopted. These SDG’s address a comprehensive range of issues, from poverty, health and hunger, to gender equality, climate
The European Union is in the midst of a crisis of conscience. From their headquarters in Brussels, EU leaders have spent years promoting a brand of acceptance, morally driven policies and socially responsible approaches to challenges throughout the world. And yet, in recent months, these policies have been leaving behind thousands of people, often at
With the release of economic data from China showing that the rate of growth of its gross domestic product decreased to 7.3 percent when compared to last year’s fourth quarter number, it is a good time to reflect on the basic direction of China’s reforms over the last 38 years.
The Chinese economic reform, literally called
Inclusive development is gaining momentum on the global agenda, but is the international development sector actually listening to its own advice?
Inclusive development means ensuring that the benefits of economic growth and social progress reach a broad base, generating improvements in the lives of the most vulnerable. Whereas GDP growth was once the primary target of
According to research conducted by the Cox Family Enterprise Center, 80 percent of the world’s businesses are family-owned, and 60 percent in the U.S. In fact, in this country, family-run businesses account for more than half of the gross domestic product.
Perhaps neither of the first two statistics are surprising. But, consider that nearly 35 percent
In the fight against poverty, few issues are more contentious than the allocation of the billions of dollars set aside to help those in need. Whether the money comes from private donations or state tax revenues, arguments over how to use the monies arise both in domestic and international politics. This debate usually focuses on balancing
As Africa awakes to its enormous promises and confronts the challenges that it must surmount, the recent World Economic Forum Africa Summit in 2013 reflected on how Africa’s entrepreneurs can be transformed into global champions.
The key points that emerged were that, though entrepreneurship is growing rapidly in Africa, there are significant difficulties and barriers that entrepreneurs must confront. Lack of access
Energy, environment, food production, and healthcare are some of the top challenges in the world that are being confronted by the faculty and students at the University of Wisconsin – Madison and other campuses of the UW system as part of a study abroad class on social entrepreneurship being taught at Oxford University this August
May 2013
It is amazing how much change can be caused by one person’s idea and the Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST) is a result of Jorn Lyseggen’s idea that with guidance and support people can achieve remarkable results. Established by the non-profit Meltwater Foundation in Accra, Ghana in 2008 as an effort to create jobs and wealth locally
