This post is a summary of three articles. The first published at http://www.thedialogue.org/page.cfm?pageID=32&. The second at http://books.google.com.br/books/about/Latin_America_2040.html?. The third was published http://www.centennialgroup.com/downloads/CAF%202nd%20edition%201120%
The recently released book Latin America 2040 Breaking Away from Complacency: An Agenda for Resurgence, discussed the economic challenges facing Latin America and their recommendations for the future of the region. The book encourages governments in the region to pursue more rapid economic growth and a faster reduction in disparities during the next three decades in order to avoid economic, social and political upheavals. Expanding on these points, Harinder Kohli, president of the Centennial Group, argue that most of Latin America is stuck in the "middle income trap," meaning that the region experienced a period of accelerated growth and has since remained relatively stagnant after reaching a moderate level of development. The middle income trap leaves regions like Latin America "rich to compete with poor countries and poor to compete with rich countries." Kohli also discussed the persistent inequality in the region. These disparities, together with stagnant productivity, low savings and investment, and poor infrastructure, have a significant impact on society and may attribute to increased crime and violence. At the same time, Kohli indentified a number of strengths possessed by the region that could be useful in stimulating further growth, including abundant natural resources, proximity to large markets, and historical ties to U.S. and Europe. Claudio Loser, president of the Centennial Group for Latin America, told that, "Latin America may be growing now at a rapid rate, but investment and savings is among the lowest in the world. Capital has increased in the region, but not productivity." He identified three pillars of focus for future sustainable growth: greater social inclusion, higher productivity and enhanced competition and openness. He also cited the need to bolster education efforts. Sergio Bitar, a former Chilean minister said that the success of the region would require cultural change in addition to policy reform. In response to a question as to whether it would be more appropriate for Latin America to look a successful country like Chile as an example rather than East Asia, Bitar acknowledge that despite being proud of what Chile has achieved, he said that in the same time, East Asia countries have achieved double, triple what Chile has.
Latin America 2040 presents a longer term vision of Latin America society and economies, within which current policy debates and actions must be anchored. It presents a set of multigenerational issues that must be tackled urgently in order to sharply reduce inequities as well as raise their economic growth rates. The fact is that the region has been underperforming Asia for the past thirty years. This book argues that the current situation is untenable economically, socially and politically. At the same time, the authors believe that the region can and must aim higher economic growth and a much faster reduction in disparities. This book offers an agenda for such a resurgence of Latin America. It presents a strategy for the regional economies to realize this vision by raising their growth rates while achieving more inclusive societies.
High quality education can make a significant contribution to a country`s development. It boost earnings and stimulates economic growth. Governments should make learning the central objective of their education systems, and stress policies that promote learning. They should consider the following policies: 1) Provide all children with pre-school and invest in high-quality basic education. 2) Establish standards that should be clear, measurable, and high. Teacher training, texbooks, and student assessment should be keyed to them. 3) Develop a transparent evaluation systems that should be used to inform teachers, parents, politicians to improve education. 4) Recruit top graduates by making entry more selective, and training intensively in classroom instruction. 5) Make proficiency in English a fundamental goal. Government should make a effort to provide all students with at least basic skills in English. Enrollment levels in tertiary education have improved over the last ten years but still is half the average for rich countries. Moreover, most university students do not complete their studies. 40% of Argentine university students drop out in the first year.Taxpayers are supporting a small cadre of sudents who seldom complete their degrees, with funds that might help poor students who are failing to complete secondary school. The evidence that exist suggest that the universities of region are not globally competitive. In a 2012 ranking of the world`s 200 top universities. The region has only one, University of Sao Paulo, at rank 158. With respect to fields of study, the universities produce very few science or engineering graduates. The bulk of university graduates are in social science, law, or business. By contrast, nearly 40% of all Korean university graduates, and 30% of all Irish graduates are trained in science or engineering. The modification of these patterns will require action with a major shift in the roles of government and the private sector. The government should be a facilitator, balancing knowledge and financial resources, to deal with social returns which are highest. However, in order to convert Latin America into a source of technological excellence, actions will be required to combine the efforts of private and public education, as well corporate support and direct involvement.
Break Away - escape
Complacency - a feeling of security, often while unaware of some potential danger.
Untenable - incapable of being defended, as an argument, thesis, etc.
