Expert opinion as an instrument for assessing investment in primary education

Includes bibliography

Rights of urban children

Urban children in Latin AmericaThis issue of Challenges addresses a topic deserving of special attention: the high proportion of children and adolescents in the region's urban areas who live in precarious conditions. Their disparate living conditions are examined with a look at the moderate deprivation (housing deficiencies, monetary poverty or low level of education) and severe deprivation (a combination of two or more of the aforementioned deficits) affecting urban dwellers. It is estimated that about 29.0% of children and adolescents in these areas live in conditions of severe deprivation and 27.6% experience moderate deprivation for an average of eight countries.In severely deprived rural and urban areas a higher proportion of children are not immunized against measles, and a greater percentage of adolescents are neither studying nor economically active, and are already parents.These disparities call for differentiated policies with a strong local focus and the potential to improve living conditions, lower the risk of infant morbidity and mortality, and reduce rates of adolescent pregnancy and school dropout. Significant initiatives and policies designed to produce healthy and inclusive environments have already been put in place in some of the most vulnerable areaswith a view to improving the quality of life among these groups.In addition to the featured article, the issue includes information on relevant meetings and conferences held in the region over the year, children's and adolescents' testimonies, and expert opinion.

Children’s rights in the digital age

The digital divide exacerbates inequalities in access to information and knowledge, making it more difficult to socialize with peers and limiting awareness of and the ability to use basic tools for life in society. Reducing this gap sets in motion virtuous synergies of social and cultural inclusion for children and adolescents, facilitating skills development and generating lifelong opportunities. Although the younger generations are connected digital natives, inequalities persist among socioeconomic groups, though these have been tempered by connectivity programmes in public schools in the region. The main article of this edition of Challenges uses current information to examine the progress made and the gaps that remain in this area. Providing children and adolescents with access is merely a first step. They then need to be protected from the risks associated with information and communications technologies (ICTs), which must be harnessed for purposes of meaningful learning, promoting uses that are more in line with the educational curriculum. Lastly, the article posits that connectivity policies must be linked to the fulfilment of children’s rights in the framework of the Convention on the Rights of the Child. As is customary, this issue also contains information on meetings and conferences held in the region during the year and recent publications in this field. Mention is also made of good practices from Peru in reducing gender gaps and a joint initiative between mobile operators and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) to protect children in the digital age. Viewpoints includes expert opinion on the potential of ICTs as tools that can facilitate the exercise of the rights of children and adolescents, but also lead to violations of these rights.

Statement delivered at the Expert Meeting on Crisis and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Se refiere a las características de la crisis en America Latina y el Caribe, deuda externa, relacionamiento externo, inflación, y a la tarea de modernización económica, social y política a que deberá abocarse la América Latina para salir de ella.

Informe de la Segunda Reunión de Expertos sobre Industrias de Bienes de Capital en América Latina = Report of the Second Expert Group Meeting on Capital Goods Industries in Latin America

Presenta la organizacion, resumen de los debates, conclusiones y recomendaciones de la reunion que trato sobre la demanda de bienes de capital del sector de generacion y distribucion de energia electrica, mecanismos para una utilizacion de la capacidad de compra del sector electrico en la promocion y desarrollo de la industria de bienes de capital, perspectivas para la cooperacion regional e internacional.

Informe de la Reunión de Expertos sobre Crisis y Desarrollo de América Latina y el Caribe = Report of the Expert Meeting on Crisis and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean

Incluye Bibliografía

Informe de la Reunión de Expertos Regionales en Preparación de la Conferencia de las Naciones Unidas para el Fomento de la Cooperación Internacional en la Utilización de la Energía Nuclear con Fines Pacíficos = Report of the Regional Expert Group Meeting for the United Nations Conference for the Promotion of International Co-operation in the Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy

Contiene la organizacion y debates de la reunion que tuvo como objetivo analizar la situacion actual, evolucion proyectada, restricciones actuales y previsibles a la introduccion y expansion de la utilizacion de la energia nuclear con fines pacificos a la luz de las necesidades y prioridades de la region.

Informe de la Reunión de Expertos sobre Cooperación Horizontal en Materia de Gestión de Recursos Hídricos en América Latina y el Caribe = Report of the Expert Meeting on Horizontal Co-operation in Water Resource Management in Latin America and the Caribbean

Informe de reunion sobre cooperacion horizontal en administracion de recursos hidricos en America Latina y el Caribe. Contiene: organizacion de los trabajos, resumen de los debates, resultado de los debates de los Grupos de Trabajo y conclusiones y recomendaciones.