Case study of development aid from the IDB to Costa Rica, illustrating the impact of the economic and foreign policy interests of the USA (role of USA) on the development projects of the IDB - examines the idb's strategy of regional economic integration, and finds that it has had negative effects on costa rica's economic development and has favoured multinational enterprises. Bibliography pp. 182 to 194, references and statistical tables.

Poverty and inequality in Latin America are easily recognizable in the faces of women, Afro-descendents, the indigenous, people with disabilities, victims of HIV/AIDS, and other groups outside the societal mainstream. Social Inclusion and Economic Development in Latin America reviews the common features of these excluded populations, including their invisibility in official statistics and the stigma, discrimination, and disadvantages they have long endured. But it also examines the region's inclusionary policies and programs that can improve access by these groups to the quality social services and economic and political resources these groups need to level the playing field. Case studies examine ethnic and racial political organization, gender quotas, and labor markets across the region, and social exclusion in Brazil, Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico, and Peru. Comparative studies summarize social inclusion policies of both the European Union and selected countries on the Continent.

By reaching out to isolated groups without access to social services, community organisations have been helping alleviate poverty throughout Latin America. Adapting to the needs of communities, these organisations' have succeeded in mobilising the poor to find solutions to their own problems. Despite being smaller than corresponding state agencies, community organisations are generally more cost effective and efficient.

Latin America has been pursuing intense structural reforms since the mid-1980s. The reforms have been a primary instrument for achieving the development goals of stable and higher rates of economic growth, more social equity, and a solid democratic setting. The region has advanced on all three fronts, but much more needs to be done. Bridges for Development explores options to strengthen policies and institutions for deepening structural reforms in all areas of development through trade and integration. Making advances in these areas is critical because the multilateral negotiations in the Doha Development Round are contingent on the complex dynamics of worldwide consensus -- and Latin America's capacity to adequately represent its interests in terms of determining the direction of unilateral policy and regional initiatives. However, as the book points out, it might be said that the easystages of unilateral trade and regional integration are over; the next steps toward consolidation will require countries to redouble their political will to confront difficult challenges as well as to refine policies, build stronger institutional structures to support them, and work better with civil society. The wave of market opening and regionalism in the 1990s has provided new opportunities in these areas.

This manual has been designed and written with the purpose of introducing key concepts and areas of debate around the "creative economy", a valuable development opportunity that Latin America, the Caribbean and the world at large cannot afford to miss. The creative economy, which we call the "Orange Economy" in this book (you'll see why), encompasses the immense wealth of talent, intellectual property, interconnectedness, and, of course, cultural heritage of the Latin American and Caribbean region (and indeed, every region). At the end of this manual, you will have the knowledge base necessary to understand and explain what the Orange Economy is and why it is so important. You will also acquire the analytical tools needed to take better advantage of opportunities across the arts, heritage, media, and creative services.

The 2018 Macroeconomic Report, A Mandate to Grow, revisits the growth debate that has been raging in the region for the past half century. Viewing the debate from this long-term perspective allows for a focus on the structural factors that have prevented Latin America and the Caribbean from reaching the growth potential required to keep pace with faster growing regions and to fulfill the aspirations of its population.

A comprehensive Statistical Appendix provides regional and country-by-country data in such areas as GDP, manufacturing, sector productivity, prices, trade, income distribution and living standards."--BOOK JACKET.