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Young people with big ideas that transform society

March 14, 2013
Participate and follow us on Twitter using @bidjuventud How does one solve old problems? With new ideas PANAMA CITY – We must listen to the voices of young people, with their fresh ideas and their plans for the future. And especially in Latin America and the Caribbean, the region with the world’s youngest population, where the average age is only 27.

How to improve math learning in public schools

March 04, 2013
With Such Bleak Math Scores in Paraguay, Do Methods Matter? The answer to the question posed in the title is a most definite yes. In Paraguay’s Cordillera province, you can see why. The best part of the day for preschoolers at Escuela Básica 201 is when the teacher plays Tikichuela. Students stand up and form a circle and then the music starts. They jump, they sing, they play with objects of different sizes and forms. And they count, in both Spanish and Guarani.

The Smart Fight Against Beach Erosion and Natural Disasters in Barbados

March 04, 2013
The construction of a kilometer-long boardwalk between Rockley and Coconut Court on the southern coast of Barbados is not only a tourist attraction—it also provides safe access to beaches and has increased beach width by nearly 20 meters.

Civic culture is key to reduce violence, study finds

May 30, 2012
IDB-sponsored study explores how changes in civic culture are needed to achieve long-term success in mitigating violence Any successful strategy to prevent violence should include measures to recognize and change behaviors prompted by beliefs, emotions and cultural factors, according to a new study sponsored by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

IDB ramps up financing for green projects in Latin America and the Caribbean

March 16, 2012
Participate in Twitter using #IDBmtg Bank approved record $736 million in loans last year for private sector projects in renewable energy and energy efficiency The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is ramping up lending for private sector projects related to renewable energy and energy efficiency to help bridge the gap for long-term financing for green investments in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Haitian school's reconstruction starts

December 23, 2011
A Trinidadian bank offers mountain village kids broader horizons If all goes according to plan, by the time the next academic year begins in September, Furcy will have a brand new public school. The facility, which will replace the old one toppled by the 2010 earthquake, will be built following strict construction standards. And as its principal, Francius Saintilus, remarked at a recent groundbreaking ceremony, the new school will have a big impact in this village in the mountains behind Port-au-Prince.

Renewable energy to power irrigation in the Atacama desert

December 15, 2011
With support from the IDB, Subsole will be the first company in Chile’s fruit industry to use solar photovoltaic energy The Atacama desert is the driest place on earth and the region with the highest solar radiation on the planet. That’s where Subsole, one of the Chile’s largest locally owned exporters of table fruits, is planning its future growth, and it will use the power of solar energy and energy efficiency to achieve its goal.

Paraguay and the IDB: partners in development

December 15, 2011
Paraguay is a founding member of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Bank’s partner in development Through an ongoing process of cooperation, financing has been provided to the Paraguay to carry out major works, which have spurred the country’s economy. This year, the Bank’s portfolio of projects in execution in Paraguay totals 27 sovereign guarantee operations for $755.27 million, of which $445.9 million are pending disbursement.

Improving science and math learning in Argentina

March 23, 2011
IDB-based pilot project sheds light on new teaching approaches to improve learning in poor areas Since Latin America consistently underperforms in international student assessments, governments in the region are looking for pedagogical models to help improve student learning. The region’s students still perform below students in rich nations and East Asian countries, particularly in the areas of mathematics and natural science.

IDB expects to provide more than $500 million to help Latin America and Caribbean prepare for natural disasters

March 10, 2011
Financial disaster preparedness is a growing concern in Latin America and the Caribbean. Last year the region saw devastating earthquakes in Chile and Haiti and an active hurricane season that impacted Central America and Mexico. In addition, the La Niña-related weather phenomenon has brought severe flooding to Venezuela, Colombia and Brazil, among others.