October 25, 2019

Convening Brief: Digital Tools and the Future of International Development

• Population Reference Bureau
• Economic Growth and Trade
• Brief

About the convening In May 2019, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Global Development Lab with Duke University’s [email protected] and NORC at the University of Chicago convened nearly 90 academic experts, digital practitioners, development partners, and USAID colleagues in Washington, D.C. to discuss the latest research on machine learning (ML) and its implications for international development. This convening brief provides a summary of the convening’s key discussion points and offers four forward-looking recommendations for advancing the effective, ethical, and inclusive application of machine learning in international development programming....read more

October 25, 2019

Scaling Back Wildlife Trade in the Mekong Delta: Applying a Political Economy Lens to the Farmer Loophole with a Focus on Vietnam and Laos

• Climate and Environmental Protection
• Report

The report "Scaling Back Wildlife Trade in the Mekong Delta: Applying a Political Economy Lens to the Farmer Loophole with a Focus on Vietnam and Laos" examines the illegal practice of wildlife farms laundering animals by replacing or supplementing farmed species with wild-caught animals also known as the “farmer loophole.” The report explores the governance and regulation structures that have made eliminating this illegal practice challenging. The authors propose three interventions to close the farmer loophole, which were informed by a desk review and key informant interviews with researchers and local stakeholders....read more

October 25, 2019

Training Manual: Using Cocoa Pod Husks to Improve Crop Yields and Soil Quality

• RTAC
• Climate and Environmental Protection
• Training Manual

The training manual "Using Cocoa Pod Husks to Improve Crop Yields and Soil Quality" offers farmers in Cameroon step-by-step instructions for two processes that cocoa farmers can adopt to reduce their reliance on expensive chemical fertilizers and fungicides. This manual is based on research results that showed using compost and biochar from cocoa pod husk can increase crop yields, prevent black pod disease on cocoa pods, and improve the overall quality of soil....read more

October 25, 2019

Early Diagnostic Test Promises to Improve Treatment and Control of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis

• Population Reference Bureau
• Global Health
• Presentation

The presentation "Early Diagnostic Test Promises to Improve Treatment and Control of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis" outlines the health and development implications of cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), along with the challenges related to diagnosing and treating this neglected tropical disease. This graphically rich presentation highlights a potential diagnostic test to accurately diagnose CL and detect the specific species. The presentation outlines four priority areas for translating this research into action....read more

October 25, 2019

Educating Moroccan Youth for a Productive Future

• Population Reference Bureau
• Economic Growth and Trade
• Factsheet

The fact sheet “Educating Moroccan Youth for a Productive Future” provides insights into some of the challenges for addressing youth unemployment in Morocco. The fact sheet highlights new research on job market trends, higher education, and employment stakeholders (such as private sector businesses and recruitment agencies). It offers three recommendations to promote better job preparedness and create more employment opportunities for youth....read more