Policy pointers

Poverty & Hunger

From Unpaid to Paid Care Work: The Macroeconomic Implications of HIV and AIDS on Women's Time-tax Burdens

Levy Economics Institute

This 32-page US working paper considers public employment guarantee programs in the context of South Africa as a means to address the nexus of poverty, unemployment, and unpaid work burdens—all factors exacerbated by HIV/AIDS

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2009-08-04

Conditional Cash Transfers : Reducing Present and Future Poverty

World Bank

A 384-page report showing that there is good evidence that conditional cash transfers (CCTs) have improved the lives of poor people

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2009-07-29

Aid Coordination on the Ground: Are Joint Country Assistance Strategies the Answer?

Brookings

This 39-page US working paper considers whether the use of joint country assistance strategies will improve aid effectiveness

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-07-27

Changing Poverty and Changing Antipoverty Policies

Institute for Research on Poverty

This 43-page US discussion paper reviews three cross-cutting factors that shape the extent and nature of poverty and prospects for reducing poverty: the changing role of race and ethnicity in the labor market and society; changing gender roles that influence both trends in labor force participation of women and patterns of family formation and childbearing; and the recent history of social welfare programs and policies

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-07-21

Agricultural Pesticides: To Spray or not to Spray

AEI

A US article commenting on EU proposals for banning the use of a number of chemicals in pesticides

Poverty & Hunger, European UnionPosted: 2009-07-14

Subsidizing Vocational Training for Disadvantaged Youth in Developing Countries: Evidence from a Randomized Trial

IZA

This 46-page paper evaluates the impact of a randomized training program for disadvantaged youth introduced in Colombia in 2005. This randomized trial offers a unique opportunity to examine the impact of training in developing countries

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2009-07-13

Urban Poverty and Health in Developing Countries

Population Reference Bureau

This 20-page bulletin provides a sketch of urban health in developing countries, documenting the intraurban differences in health for a number of countries and showing how the risks facing the urban poor compare with those facing rural villagers

Poverty & Hunger, HealthPosted: 2009-07-10

The Impact of Microcredit on the Poor in Bangladesh: Revisiting the Evidence

CGDEV

How robust is the evidence that microcredit improves the lives of the poor by, for example, increasing or stabilizing household consumption? Three landmark studies put microfinance to that test in Bangladesh, but the contradictions among them have produced lasting controversy and confusion. This 50-page working paper reevaluates the previous studies and finds a way to end the impasse

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-06-22

Promoting Gender Equality through Stimulus Packages and Public Job Creation

Levy Economics Institute

This 12-page US paper examines the macroeconomic consequences of scaling up South Africa’s Expanded Public Works Programme by adding to it a new sector for social service delivery in health and education

Poverty & Hunger, Social PolicyPosted: 2009-06-17

Is Social Security Part of the Social Safety Net?

CESifo

This 40-page paper focuses specifically on how Social Security affects the poor

Social Policy, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-06-05

Rice Price Formation in the Short Run and the Long Run

CGD

This 46-page paper analyzes price formation on the world’s rice market using simple supply and demand models as a start, but moving to “supply of storage” models—a staple of commodity-market analysis for more than half a century—to explain hoarding behavior and its subsequent impact on prices

Poverty & Hunger, Globalisation & International TradePosted: 2009-06-05

“Land Grabbing” by Foreign Investors in Developing Countries: Risks and Opportunities

IFPRI

A 4-page policy brief arguing that foreign investment can provide key resources for agriculture, but only if arrangements are properly negotiated, practices are sustainable, and benefits are shared

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-05-07

Feed the World: The Challenge of Agricultural Development

IPN

This 24-page paper focuses on food, first surveying long-term trends in global demand and supply to put recent price changes into perspective. It evaluates various factors which underpin the high prices experienced in 2007 and 2008, including the conversion of crops into liquid fuels (“biofuels”). The paper concludes with lessons we should have learned recently about food scarcity and its alleviation

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-05-04

Evaluating the Impact of Community-Based Health Interventions: Evidence from Brazil's Family Health Program

IZA

This 60-page paper analyzes the direct and indirect impacts of Brazil's Family Health Program

Health, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-04-19

The Geography of Disability and Economic Disadvantages in Australian Capital Cities

AIHW

This 32-page report presents data on the geographical distribution of severe disability among people aged less than 65 years living in Australian capital cities

Disability, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-03-31

Rice Crisis Forensics: How Asian Governments Carelessly Set the World Rice Market on Fire

CGD

This 43-page US working paper describes how the global rice market became enflamed in 2008 and provides pointers to help policymakers in these countries avoid a repeat of the disastrous price spike of 2008.

Poverty & Hunger, Globalisation & International TradePosted: 2009-03-18

What Makes Case Management Work for People Experiencing Homelessness?

AHURI

This 155-page Australian research synthesis aims to provide an evidence-based understanding of how case management works to contribute to the development of more effective responses to the needs of people experiencing homelessness. The report defines case management and synthesises the international scientific evidence on case management practice for the homelessness sector

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-03-04

Poverty Lines and Lives of the Poor: Underestimation of Urban Poverty, the Case of India

IIED

This 56-page UK working paper describes the development of poverty lines in India, from the 19th century to the present, and assesses their limitations as an indication of poverty

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2009-02-27

The Feeding of the Nine Billion: Global Food Security for the 21st Century

Chatham House

This 61-page UK report sets out to look beyond the immediate causes and impacts of the global food price crisis of recent months, towards the medium and longer term

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-02-25

Preventing and Ending Homelessness: Next Steps

Urban Institute

This 12-page brief examines the current state of homelessness in the US, how community responses are changing, what is working, and what policymakers should be doing to make more advances

Housing, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-02-20

The Storm in Sub-Saharan Africa

Project Syndicate

An article highlighting the effect of the global financial crisis on Sub-Saharan Africa

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-02-13

Feed People First

CCPA

This 10-page Canadian paper claims that biofuels are contributing to global food shortages and price increases

Poverty & Hunger, EnergyPosted: 2009-02-07

Just Desserts? Securing Global Food Futures

IPPR North

A 37-page UK report arguing that in order to achieve global food security, greater harmonisation of efforts is needed as well as the full participation of countries who have become increasingly influential in either production, aid or investment such as China, India and Brazil.

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2009-01-28

Toward the End of Poverty in Haiti

USIP

Report of a US meeting held to discuss the challenge of reducing poverty in Haiti

Poverty & Hunger, Governance & PoliticsPosted: 2009-01-19

Linkages between Land Management, Land Degradation, and Poverty in Sub-Saharan Africa

IFPRI

This 132-page report seeks to demonstrate the strong strong linkage between poverty and land management

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2009-01-13

Toward Measuring the Impact of the World Food Program's Purchase for Progress Initiative

CGD

An 8-page US essay questioning some of the assumptions underlying the World Food Program's Purchase for Progress Initiative

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2009-01-07

Challenging Choices: Protection and Livelihoods in Darfur

ODI

This 46-page UK working paper explores the linkages between protection and livelihoods for rural populations in West Darfur, examining the Danish Refugee Council's programme in that region

Internal Displacement, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2009-01-06

Dry Aquifers in Arab Countries and the Looming Food Crisis

MERIA

An Israeli article examining water supply and food self-sufficiency in Arab countries

Poverty & Hunger, RegionalPosted: 2009-01-02

Measuring Poverty and Economic Inclusion

CEPR

This 47-page US report evaluates current poverty metrics used in the US and suggests a new measure for a broader standard of basic income adequacy.

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-12-23

Toward Measuring the Impact of the World Food Program's Purchase for Progress Initiative

CGD

This 8-page paper examines whether purchasing food aid locally is the answer to higher global food prices, to the inefficiencies associated with imported food aid, and to farmers' low incomes

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-12-23

Towards Pro-poor Adaptation to Climate Change in the Urban Centres of Low- and Middle-income Countries

IIED

This 45-page paper outlines a framework for adaptation to climate change for urban areas in low- and middle-income nations that is pro-poor and that enhances the capacity of low-income households and community organizations to contribute to such adaptation

Climate Change & Environment, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-12-18

Eradicating Child Poverty: The Role of Key Policy Areas

Joseph Rowntree Foundation

A series of short reports focusing on certain key policy areas relevant to the 2020 target of eradicating UK child poverty. Each report presents an overview of the importance of the area, progress over the last few years, the extent of its likely contribution to the overall goal and effective alternatives where necessary (Single page with links to each report)

Families, Children & Youth, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-12-17

Strengthen the Millennium Challenge Corporation: Better Results are Possible

The Brookings Institution

A 9-page US policy brief assessing the effectiveness of the Millennium Challenge Corporation

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-12-16

Nigeria’s Imperative for Youth-Led Entrepreneurial Development

CIPE

A 6-page article calling for an environment in Nigeria in which young entrepreneurs can lead the country’s development

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-12-15

Update - Debt Cancellation for Haiti: No Reason For Further Delays

CEPR

This 17-page US paper presents an update of CEPR’s December 2007 overview of Haiti’s outstanding foreign debt, and how much of this debt is scheduled to be canceled under Haiti’s participation in the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank’s Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) initiative.

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2008-12-08

Food and Financial Crises: Implications for Agriculture and the Poor

IFPRI

This paper on the food crisis in developing countries argues that synchronized response is needed to ease the burden on the poor and allow agriculture to face new challenges and respond to new opportunities.

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2008-12-04

Better Aid: Responding to Gaps in Effectiveness

The Brookings Institution

This 8-page US policy brief uses a two-pronged approach so that aid architecture can be strengthened, gaps filled, flows coordinated, and development sustainable and effective—ultimately making aid better

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-12-03

Are There Opportunities to Increase Social Security Progressivity Despite Underfunding?

Urban Institute

This 29-page US paper reviews why Social Security fails to lift more elderly low-wage workers and minorities out of poverty or provide a greater return on their contributions.

Social Policy, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-11-27

Financial Crisis May Worsen Poverty in China, India

CFR

A US backgrounder examining how reduced economic growth in India and China could reverse poverty alleviation efforts and even push more people into poverty

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2008-11-25

The Politics of Hunger

CFR

A 4-page US article explaining what needs to be done to end the global food crisis

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2008-11-07

Workforce Development as an Anti-Poverty Strategy

Urban Instiute

This 41-page US paper examines the cost-effectiveness of funded workforce development programmes

Poverty & Hunger, Social PolicyPosted: 2008-11-04

Thougth for Food: The Challenges of Coping with Soaring Food Prices

CGDev

This 66-page working paper addresses the challenges posed for developing countries by rising food prices

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-11-04

Burma/Myanmar after Nargis: Time to Normalise Aid Relations

Crisis Group

This 45-page report urges the international community to build on the unprecedented cooperation between the Myanmar government and humanitarian agencies

Public Safety & Disaster Mitigation, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-10-26

Famine in North Korea Redux?

Peterson Institute

A 24-page US working paper assessing current insecurity in North Korea

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2008-10-23

The Challenge of Hunger 2008

IFPRI

A 41-page report examining the latest figures from the Global Hunger Index highlighting those countries with the most worrying hunger status

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-10-16

Rising Food and Fuel Prices: Addressing the Risks to Future Generations

World Bank

A 20-page study assessing the effect of rising food and fuel prices on malnutrition

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2008-10-14

Global Food Crisies: Monitoring and Assessing Impact

IFPRI

This 52-page study describes the data and methods needed by policymakers to understand and respond to the effects of a global food crisis on a country

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2008-09-25

The Impact of Local Public Services and Geographical Cost of Living Differences on Poverty Estimates

IZA

This 40-page discussion paper illustrates how disregarding the value of local public services and geographical cost of living differences yields a misleading picture of poverty

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-09-16

Raising Water Productivity

Earth Policy Institute

A US article stressing the importance of raising water productivity as a means of reducing global food shortages

Poverty & Hunger, Climate Change & EnvironmentPosted: 2008-08-28

Biofuels and the Food Price Crisis: A Survey of the Issues

CGD

This 19-page US working paper criticises the promotion of corn-based ethanol

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-08-13

Climate Change: Implications for Food Safety

FAO

This 49-page report studies the implications of climate change for food safety at all stages of the food chain

Climate Change & Environment, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-08-11

A Call for a Strategic U.S. Approach to the Global Food Crisis

CSIS

The 14-page report of a US task force established to identify a strategy for the US to implement to alleviate the effects of the global food crisis

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-08-02

Food, Poverty and Security

ORG

A 4-page briefing highlighting the interconnections between food shortages, poverty and security

Poverty & Hunger, Defence, Terrorism & SecurityPosted: 2008-07-13

Chronic Poverty Report 2008-09: Escaping Poverty Traps

CPRC

A 164-page report examining possible solutions to global chronic poverty

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-07-08

Food Prices

CFR

A US backgrounder on how the global food market works

Poverty & Hunger, Globalisation & International TradePosted: 2008-07-07

Physical and Virtual Food Reserves to Protect the Poor and Prevent Market Failure

IFPRI

A 4-page policy brief proposing measures for a humanitarian grain reserve and a virtual reserve and intervention mechanism

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-07-04

What is Poverty? Providing Clarity for Canada

Fraser Institute

This 24-page paper examines the measurement of deprivation in Canada

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-06-27

Will Rising Food Prices Reduce Poverty?

Brookings Institution

A US article considering the effect of rising food prices on poverty in developing countries

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-06-24

High Food Prices: The What, Who and How of Proposed Policy Actions

IFPRI

This 12-page policy brief offers an action plan to combat the world food crisis

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-06-12

Thinking about the Future of Food

Chatham House

An 11-page UK briefing paper positing differerent scenarios to consider the challenges created by food supply shortages and their impact on the UK and EU

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-06-02

George Bush's Foreign Aid: Transformation or Chaos?

CGD

This 136-page study analyzes the dramatic changes in foreign aid during the Bush Administration

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-05-26

Global Corporate Citizenship: The New Era of Opportunity

CIPE

An 8-page article arging for a greater contribution by private enterprise into relieving poverty

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2008-05-25

US Leadership in the Global Food Crisis

Peterson Institute

This US House testimony proposes a raft of measures that the US might take to help alleviate the global food crisis

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-05-22

Understanding and Containing Food Price Inflation

CGIAR

A short backgrounder on food price inflation and possible responses

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2008-05-17

Sustainable Development and Poverty Reduction under Mubarak's Program

IDE

This 36-page Japanese discussion paper describes and analyses the major features of economic development and poverty reduction in Egypt during its transition to a market economy

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-05-16

Rising Food Prices: What Should be Done?

FPRI

A 2-page policy brief arguing for more effective and coherent action to help the most vulnerable populations cope with rising food prices

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-05-02

Rising Food Prices and Displacement

Brooking Institution

A commentary on the relationship between rising food prices, displacement and immiigration

Internal Displacement, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-04-29

U.S. Government Assistance: Advancing National Security, Interests and Values

Brookings Institution

A House testimony proposing reforms to US foreign assistance

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-04-29

Untangling Links between Trade, Poverty and Gender

ODI

A UK briefing paper examining why and how trade liberalisation affects men and women in developing countries in different ways

Globalisation & International Trade, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-04-24

Can We Eradicate Hunger?

UNU-WIDER

This 8-page paPer addresses a combination of social and economic perspectives on the roots of world hunger

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-04-18

Power and Roads for Africa

CGD

A 36-page essay urging the US to assist Africa in the provision of roads and power as a major step in poverty reduction

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-04-01

Melting Mountain Glaciers Will Shrink Grain Harvests in China and India

Earth Policy Institute

A US article describing a climate-driven shortage of river-based irrigation water supplies

Poverty & Hunger, Climate Change & EnvironmentPosted: 2008-03-28

A Reality Check on African Aid

Brookings Institution

A commentary on US aid to Africa

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-02-26

Biodiversity, Climate Change and Poverty: Exploring the Links

IIED

A 6-page UK briefing calling for the close links between climate change, biodeiversity and poverty to be given greater attention

Climate Change & Environment, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-02-25

Entrepreneurial Philanthropy in the Developing World

AEI

A US brief exploring the emerging entrepreneurial philanthropy sector, which may radically reshape foreign aid

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-01-28

Why Ethanol Production Will Drive World Food Prices Higher in 2008

Earth Policy News

A US article warning of the effect of increased ethanol production on world food prices and global food security

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-01-25

Fair Growth

CGD

This 230-page volume presents economic policy tools for improving the life of Latin America's majority

Poverty & Hunger, Economic PolicyPosted: 2008-01-23

The Coming Famine

Julian Cribb & Associates

A paper highlighting the forthcoming global food security challenges

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-01-21

Working Out of Poverty

IPPR

A 65-page report on the extent and nature of low pay and working poverty in the UK

Employment, Industrial Relations & Training , Poverty & HungerPosted: 2008-01-09

How do Development and Foreign Policy Connect?

ODI

This 2-page opinion considers whether efforts to ring-fence aid for "poverty reduction" make sense

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2007-12-14

Assessing and Learning for Social Change

IDS

This 64-page UK discussion paper examines the processes for assessing and learning about social change that can help or improve the strategies and results of social change

International Development, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2007-12-08

The World's Most Deprived

IFPRI

This 148-page discussion paper examines the characteristics and causes of extreme poverty and hunger

Poverty & HungerPosted: 2007-11-30

Towards New Indicators of Disadvantage: Deprivation and Social Exclusion

SPRC

This 122-page study advocates a broader approach to the measurement of disadvantage

Poverty & Hunger, Social PolicyPosted: 2007-11-23

Poverty and the Environment

World Bank

A 22-page summary report aimed at clarifying the linkages between poverty and the environment in developing countries at the household level

Poverty & Hunger, Climate Change & EnvironmentPosted: 2007-11-21

The Human Right to Food in Nepal

Rights & Democracy

This 78-page Canadian report examines hunger and poverty in Nepal from a human rights standpoint

Poverty & Hunger, Human RightsPosted: 2007-10-25

Reducing Poverty: What Has Worked, and What Should be Done Next

C.D. Howe Institute

This 32-page Canadian study analyses the factors responsible for Canada's reducing poverty rate

Poverty & Hunger, Employment, Industrial Relations & Training Posted: 2007-10-18

TANF Caseload Composition and Leavers Synthesis Report

Urban Institute

This 185-page US report synthesises research on the composition of the welfare caseload and the status of welfare leavers since the federal welfarte reforms of 1996

Social Policy, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2007-10-10

Fighting Poverty Through Incentives and Work Mandates for Young Men

Brookings Institute

An 8-page US policy brief proposing two sets of policies to help young men gain employment and improve earnings

Social Policy, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2007-09-25

Malaria: Disease Impacts and Long-Run Income Differences

IZA

This 34-page discussion paper examines the theory that ecological differences associated with malaria are a primary cause of differences in wealth between nations

Poverty & Hunger, HealthPosted: 2007-09-03

The Implementation of the Partners for Fragile Families Demonstration Projects

Urban Institute

This 123-page US report describes the design and implementation of a programme aimed at increasing the capacity of young disadvantaged fathers to become more supportive of their children

Families, Children & Youth, Poverty & HungerPosted: 2007-08-11

Can Tourism Offer Pro-Poor Pathways to Prosperity?

ODI

This 4-page UK briefing paper examines the evidence on the impact of tourism on poverty

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2007-07-31

International NGOs and Poverty Reduction Strategies: The Contribution of an Asset-Based Approach

Brookings Institution

A 44-page scoping study summarizing the current poverty reduction strategies of US and UK-based international NGOs and identifying the applicability of an asset-accumulation framework

Poverty & Hunger, International DevelopmentPosted: 2007-07-25