News

2017-10-05

Published by Justin

Distinguished Scholar Award for Haiti Priorise research

The Haiti Priorise paper Cost-Benefit Analysis on Power Sector Reform in Haiti just received the Distinguished Scholar Award from the International Confederation of Energy Regulators (ICER) and Senior Economist Juan Belt will be presenting it in Mexico in March 2018 at the World Forum on Energy...

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2017-09-01

Published by Justin

Ansanm Pou Ayiti NGO Summit

Copenhagen Consensus Center project manager Gaelle was happy to share and discuss Haiti Priorise research with hundreds of representatives from NGOs working in and around Haiti at the Ansanm Pou Ayiti NGO summit recently held in Port-au-Prince. Ansanm Pou Ayiti is a series of actionable, community-...

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2017-07-28

Published by benji

Fortifying wheat flour in Haiti

USAID and Ministry of Public Health and Population Team Up to fortify wheat flour in Haiti, preventing malnutrition and newborn deaths. On Friday, July 21, 2017, at Hotel Montana, the Minister of Public Health and Population, Marie Greta Roy Clement, and Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy, Brian...

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2017-07-06

Published by Justin

Top Priorities for Haiti

Electricity reform, child nutrition, and immunization should be prioritized by decision-makers, an eminent panel including Haitian economic experts and a Nobel laureate economist announced today, after studying new research written for Haiti Priorise. Ketleen Florestal, P.J. Raymond Magloire,...

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2017-07-03

Published by Justin

Helping Haitian Children When It Matters the Most

When a child is born, a clock starts ticking. Scientists have shown that half of a child’s intelligence potential is developed by the age of four. Early development makes a huge difference to life-long wellbeing. It is little surprise that distinguished economists who studied responses to Haitian...

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2017-06-27

Published by Justin

Reducing Domestic Violence Helps All Of Haiti

Domestic violence is a human rights issue, a public health issue, and an economic development issue. It not only causes pain and suffering for the victims but creates costs for society. Victims are more likely to commit suicide, have more unwanted pregnancies, are less likely to complete education...

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2017-06-14

Published by Justin

Water and Sanitation Services: Rural or Urban Haiti First?

Low coverage rates for clean water and sanitation leave Haiti exposed to significant health burdens. According to the latest estimates, 72% of Haiti’s population lack access to improved sanitation facilities and use either shared facilities, other improved facilities, or openly defecate. In urban...

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2017-06-09

Published by Justin

A possible future for Haiti

The Economist discusses a development path forward for Haiti, highlighting the research findings for the Haiti Priorise project. The highest BCR comes from fortifying wheat flour with iron and folic acid, which would prevent 150 infant deaths and 250,000 cases of anaemia a year for a trivial...

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2017-06-08

Published by Justin

Two Ideas For Haitian Development Whose Time May Have Come

There are as many different ideas to improve the wellbeing of Haiti as there are Haitians. After talking to more than 700 people to identify all of the nation’s biggest challenges and most promising solutions, the project Haiti Priorise has asked specialist economist researchers to focus on 85 key...

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2017-06-06

Published by Justin

Improving Learning in Haiti’s Classrooms

In Haiti, about ninety percent of children are estimated to be in primary school. That is a real achievement compared to 20 years ago. But evidence shows that it is not enough to ensure that children are in the classroom. For real benefits, children need to engage in real learning when they are at...

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2017-05-31

Published by Justin

Could Paternity Leave Help Women Earn More?

In Haiti, as in most nations, social distortions and inequalities that rule the labor market prevent women from contributing to their full capacity. How to solve this problem is the topic of a new research paper by Mélissa Torchenaud, project analyst in the Department of Public Investment of the...

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2017-05-24

Published by Justin

A Menu of Options to Improve Public Services in Haiti

Despite many proposals to make the public sector more effective, there are many delays caused by red tape. Four new research papers by Haiti Priorise examine various ways to improve public services: Economist Riphard Serent from Quisqueya University and Center for International and Diplomatic...

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2017-05-19

Published by Justin

Changing the Narrative About Haiti

Prioritizing spending alternatives is difficult in every country. But it is especially challenging in Haiti, where, following years of fractious politics, a newly elected government is striving to expand the economy and improve wellbeing while confronting the lingering consequences of the massive...

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2017-05-17

Published by Justin

The Phenomenal Benefits of Improving Mother and Child Nutrition

New research for Haiti Priorise shows that a tablet that costs less than 5 gourdes could end up saving more than 15,000 Haitian lives over the next 12 years. Professor Stephen Vosti. In two research papers, he and co-authors study micronutrient malnutrition – when the body lacks the necessary...

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2017-05-15

Published by Justin

Building Haiti’s Defenses Against Natural Disasters

Each year on average two natural weather events cause flooding and landslides with serious consequences for Haitians and their livelihoods. It is not possible to avoid natural disasters altogether – but two new research papers for the project Haiti Priorise examine ways to reduce vulnerability and...

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2017-05-08

Published by Justin

How Increased Access to Family Planning Can Help Haiti

During the 1970s and 1980s, a successful family planning program with strong private and public sector support helped contribute to a decline in Haiti’s fertility rate. Since then, Haiti has fallen behind other countries in sexual and reproductive health services. Now, more than three-in-ten...

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2017-05-04

Published by Justin

President Jovenel Moïse of Haiti receives the Haiti Priorise outcome

Nobel Laureate Vernon Smith and Bjorn Lomborg shared the Eminent Panel's findings with the President of Haiti in a private meeting at the National Palace. President Jovenel Moïse welcomed the findings and was especially enthused by the panel's top priority of reforming the electricity utility,...

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2017-05-04

Published by Justin

The Case for Building Roads in Haiti

The challenges of poor road infrastructure are well known to Haitians. Roads degrade faster than they are rehabilitated or built. The inadequacy of the road network, combined with the pitiful state of roads and transport vehicles, means a large part of the rural population is isolated. Research...

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2017-05-04

Published by Justin

Economist present the research findings to eminent panel.

In Port-au-Prince in May 2017, all of the research papers written for Haiti Priorise were presented to the Eminent Panel. Either in person or via video conference, the specialist researchers discussed their key findings with the Eminent Panel, with a focus on the costs and benefits that they had...

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2017-05-03

Published by Justin

Eminent Panel Press Conference

The Eminent Panel's findings were presented to the public at a press conference hosted by the Minister of Planning, Aviol Fleurant. The ministry will be taking the lead to help build on the research findings and advance the top priorities.

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2017-05-03

Published by Justin

Priorities for Haiti: Electricity Reform, Nutrition and Child Health

Version française ci- dessous Port-au-Prince, Haiti - Electricity reform, child nutrition, and immunization should be prioritized by decision-makers, an eminent panel including Haitian economic experts and a Nobel laureate economist announced today, after studying new research written for Haiti...

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2017-05-03

Published by Justin

Haiti Priorise Press Conference

Joint press conference at the Ministry of Planning with Copenhagen Consensus president Bjorn Lomborg and the Minister of Planning and External Co-operation Avioul Fleurant. Watch the video .

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2017-05-02

Published by Justin

Justice For All: Reducing Preventive Detention in Haiti

The use of preventive pre-trial detention creates gross injustices. There are inmates who have already spent two or three years in jail awaiting judgment, for offenses for which they would only be sentenced to six months in prison if found guilty. Providing legal aid would speed up access to...

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2017-05-01

Published by Justin

Haiti Priorise Project Manager Gaelle Prophete Joins "Investir avec Kesner Pharel" Every Sunday

Haiti Priorise Project Manager Gaelle Prophete is interviewed regularly on many Haitian radio and television outlets about the project Haiti Priorise. Every Sunday she joins Eminent Panel member Kesner Pharel on "Investir avec Kesner Pharel" on Radio Métropole to discuss the latest research...

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2017-04-28

Published by Justin

Early Childhood Education: an Investment in Haiti’s Future

Investment in education is essential for Haiti to lift incomes and fight poverty. But in this area like every other, decision-makers face many options. We are publishing research papers written by education economists on crucial topics including building more schools, developing teachers, teaching...

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2017-04-28

Published by Justin

Eminent Panel Conference Schedule (Preliminary)

Full presentation schedule for the 3-day Eminent Panel conference.

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2017-04-27

Published by Justin

Skills Training and Civics Education to Make ‘Better’ Citizens

Nations have a short opportunity during which they can impart skills to any child, to prepare him or her for adulthood. What is better: to teach a trade in the hope of providing greater economic security, or to teach civic education with the goal of making a ‘better’ citizen? A new research paper...

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2017-04-25

Published by Justin

Could Tariffs and Subsidies Boost Haiti’s Economy?

As agriculture is an important part of the Haitian economy, it has been studied by many experts for Haiti Priorise, with papers already released on “System of Rice Intensification”, agro-forestry and carbon markets, and agricultural research and development. Today we are releasing a new research...

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2017-04-24

Published by Justin

How Agricultural Priorities Could Help Haiti

Half of Haiti’s population depends on agriculture, directly or indirectly. Agriculture plays a crucial role in the economy even as its share in the national gross domestic product is declining, with a current GDP share of around one-sixth. Millions of Haitians depend on the land, so it makes sense...

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2017-04-21

Published by Justin

How to save 16,000 children’s lives

Low immunization coverage contributes to Haiti having the highest infant mortality rate in the Caribbean. Fewer than half of all children receive every immunization dose. Around two child deaths in ten are caused by diseases that could be prevented by vaccines, such as diphtheria, pertussis,...

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2017-04-10

Published by Justin

Powering Haiti’s Future

Electricity reaches less than one-quarter of Haiti. This is an obstacle to economic and social development. Many people take electricity without paying for it, severely affecting the income of the EDH and leaving it unable to fund infrastructure improvements. Big obstacles to the development of the...

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2017-04-06

Published by Justin

Playing digital catch-up: Finding opportunities for Haiti

Internet coverage in Haiti remains limited and expensive. Just 4% of households have access, and fewer than 1% of Haitians have mobile Internet. This reduces opportunities for Haitians and slows down economic growth. Haiti could be richer with faster Internet and more digitization. Bjorn Lomborg...

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2017-04-04

Published by Justin

Two opportunities to reduce poverty

The reduction of poverty, which affects almost 60 percent of the population, is a central goal for Haiti. There is evidence that rampant inflation, food insecurity and changes in the exchange rate are affecting many. Bjorn Lomborg discusses various different approaches that can be taken to reduce...

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2017-03-28

Published by Justin

Putting Girls’ Education First

Bjorn Lomborg discusses new research paper for Haïti Priorise which shows that scholarship or financial assistance programs can increase the enrollment of girls in primary and secondary schools. Girls’ education is one of the most powerful things that any nation can invest in, because it creates...

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2017-03-22

Published by Justin

Tough Choices to Improve Haiti’s Emergency Response Network

Hundreds or even thousands of lives could be saved every year by improving the ambulance network, or by training a cadre of paramedics and ensuring that community volunteers, traditional midwives, and teachers are taught first aid techniques, according to new research. Bjorn Lomborg discusses the...

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2017-03-20

Published by Justin

Tackling one-tenth of Haitian deaths and helping the environment

Bjorn Lomborg discusses two new research papers which look at different ways to reduce deforestation and deal with the interlinked challenge of air pollution. It sounds almost too good to be true: a single development investment that tackles one of Haiti’s biggest death-tolls and at the same time...

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2017-03-15

Published by Justin

E-Voting – improving the election process?

Bjorn Lomborg discusses results from the Haiti Priorise research on electronic voting. The participation rate in Haitian elections is low. In last October’s election, less than one-quarter of eligible voters participated. The process is long and complex, leaving opportunities for error and fraud,...

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2017-03-07

Published by Justin

An Alternative Plan for Development in Haiti

Bjorn Lomborg discusses the Haïti Priorise project and the upcoming research releases. With a newly elected government comes big choices: Resources are limited, as they are in every country. How does Haiti choose between one set of priorities and another? With many areas of need, which investments...

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2016-10-14

Published by Justin

Laying the Ground Work

For Haiti Priorise Regional Youth Forums Despite counting for roughly two-thirds of the population, youth perspectives are often absent from discussions and decisions about policies for Haiti. Haïti Priorise, using the analysis to be provided by economist researchers, from Haiti and abroad, will be...

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2016-05-31

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Poverty, Inequality and Social Exclusion

In May 2016, Haïti Priorise held a sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions to reduce poverty, inequality and social exclusion. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to propose actions they think should be prioritized...

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2016-05-24

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Infrastructure

In May 2016, Haïti Priorise held its seventeenth sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions to improve infrastructure. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to propose actions they think should be prioritized as a means...

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2016-05-05

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Nutrition and Food Security

In May 2016, Haïti Priorise held its fourteenth sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions to improve nutrition and food security. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to propose actions they think should be...

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2016-04-28

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Water, Sanitation & Hygiene

In April 2016, Haïti Priorise held its twelfth sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions for improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH). Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to propose actions they think should be...

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2016-04-26

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Fiscal Management & Resource Mobilization

In April 2016, Haïti Priorise held its eleventh sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions for fiscal management and resource mobilization. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to propose actions they think should be...

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2016-04-22

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for the Environment

In March 2016, Haïti Priorise held its fourth sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions to address Haiti’s environmental challenges. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of environmental policy and propose actions they think should be a...

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2016-04-21

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Energy

In May 2016, Haïti Priorise held its fifteenth sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions to improve energy and electricity. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to propose actions they think should be prioritized as a...

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2016-04-21

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Decentralization

In April 2016, Haïti Priorise held its tenth sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions for decentralization. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to propose actions they think should be prioritized as a means to...

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2016-04-19

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Financial Markets and Access to Credit

In April 2016, Haïti Priorise held its ninth sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions to address challenges in Haiti’s financial markets and access to credit systems. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to...

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2016-04-05

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Human Rights and Gender Equality

In April 2016, Haïti Priorise held its eighth sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions to improve human rights and gender equality. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to propose actions they think should be...

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2016-04-04

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Education

In March 2016, Haiti Priorise held its third sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions to improve education in Haiti. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of this sector and propose actions they think should be a priority to address some of the...

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2016-03-31

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Governance and Public Administration

In March 2016, Haïti Priorise held its seventh sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions for improving Governance and Public Administration. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to propose actions they think should be...

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2016-03-30

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Health

In March 2016, Haïti Priorise held its fifth sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions to address Haiti’s health challenges. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to propose actions they think should be...

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2016-03-23

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Conflict, Crime and Violence

In March 2016, Haïti Priorise held its fourth sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions to address Haiti’s social conflict, crime and violence challenges. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts designed to mitigate...

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2016-03-15

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for ICT

In March 2016, Haiti Priorise held its first roundtable of sector experts to discuss different solutions for Haiti’s burgeoning ICT sector. As a means to guide the discussion, roundtable participants were asked what they thought were the current strengths and weaknesses of government programs...

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2016-03-10

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Economic Drivers

In March 2016, Haiti Priorise held its second sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions to boost Haiti’s economy and create jobs. Participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of this sector and propose actions they think should be a priority to address some of...

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2016-03-03

Published by Justin

Top Ideas for Industrial Policy & Trade

In April 2016, Haïti Priorise held its thirteenth sector expert roundtable to discuss the best solutions for improving industrial policy and trade. Roundtable participants were asked to identify the strengths and weaknesses of current policy efforts and to propose actions they think should be...

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