Investing in people and places
Policies can unleash the transformative power of culture for cities and regions
What government policies would you encourage most to ensure that cultural initiatives can promote economic development, social inclusion and well-being in our cities and regions?
©OECD
READ THE FULL STORYA country called home
Entrepreneurship is an important pathway for newcomers to a country despite perceptions that they are often pushed into it because of exclusion from traditional job markets. Entrepreneurship is a way to economic inclusion, and it is about being unique—thinking out of the box and take risks that others do not have the courage the take.
©OECD
READ THE FULL STORYLGBT Inclusion in OECD countries
Anti-LGBT discrimination hampers the economic prospects and mental health of millions in OECD countries. OECD countries need to protect and support LGBT people with the right policies.
©OECD
WATCH THE VIDEOBringing good vision to rural areas in a sustainable way
Uncorrected poor vision is the world’s largest unaddressed disability affecting 2.5 billion people–and 90% of these affected peoples are in the developing world. Finding effective ways to resolve this has given way to innovative business models creating a sustainable ecosystem bringing good vision to local communities.
©OECD
READ THE FULL STORYTransforming digital infrastructure for an inclusive 2030
Investments and innovations in technology by governments and companies are reshaping the way we see development, work and accessing information. This creates unprecedented opportunities to improve human rights, ensure good governance, enhance civic engagement and further inclusive economic growth.
©OECD
READ THE FULL STORYBuilding a more inclusive world of work
A business pledge against inequalities
Working hand in hand with the 2019 French G7 Presidency, the OECD has managed to rally governments, businesses and investors around a common agenda to make business more inclusive.
©OECD
Read the full storyGender equality – yes, girls can!
At age 15, 5% of boys in OECD countries want to work in information technology (ICT). And girls? 0.5%. Rapid digitalisation is widening the gender gap in science/technology/engineering/maths (STEM). Gabriela Ramos, OECD Chief of Staff and G20 Sherpa, is urging girls to combat this trend and set their ambitions high.
©OECD
LISTEN TO THE PODCASTThe future of work is now
Changes brought by new technologies and globalisation are rapidly reshaping how we work and live. There has been a lot of talk about the future of work, but now we must turn words into action.
©OECD
WATCH THE VIDEOCan women win on the obstacle course of business finance?
Most women who start their own businesses do so with less money than men. They also tend to use their own personal savings or borrow from friends and family to get started. Why? Gender bias in financing. How can we get our banks and venture capitalists to end discrimination against women entrepreneurs?
©David Rooney
Read the full storyThe platform economy can deliver for its workers too
As technology has reshaped how people find and do their work, social and labour market protection have had not always kept up—for some workers this means poor and precarious working conditions such putting in long hours to make work pay, or remaining constantly on call, with unpredictable income and work schedules.
©OECD Observer
Read the full storyDigital fair play and the bigger picture
European Commission anti-trust chief Margrethe Vestager has taken on many a superstar firm, bringing sizeable fines against the likes of Google and Apple. Her philosophy? Ordinary people deserve a fair shake. That means the fair prices and consumer leverage market competition is supposed to ensure.
©OECD
LISTEN TO THE PODCASTSpreading the wealth
Housing first: How Finland is ending homelessness
In recent years, Finland has been one of the few countries where homelessness has decreased. The Finnish success has been explained by this national strategy, targeting the most vulnerable, long-term homeless people.
©OECD
READ THE FULL STORYFour pillars and a roof
There is an all-out global housing crisis—one in four people lack a decent, affordable place to live. Creating opportunities that enable people to improve their living conditions can lead to positive changes like improved health, better education outcomes and the ability to make forward-looking choices.
©OECD
READ THE FULL STORYWhy traditional economics are broken and what needs to change
Our social world is incredibly nuanced and complex, says Maeve Cohen of Re-thinking Economics. It cannot be condensed into one economic model, we need to be holistic and humble, looking at different schools of thought and being prepared to acknowledge when we’re wrong.
©OECD
LISTEN TO THE PODCASTThe "gilets jaunes" phenomenon
Who are the Gilets Jaunes and what do they want? We talk to Sophie Pedder, who is Paris bureau chief of the Economist and author of "Revolution Francaise: Emmanuel Macron and the quest to reinvent a nation".
©OECD
LISTEN TO THE PODCASTThe time for reform is now
Slow economic growth, high levels of uncertainty and rising inequality should prompt policy makers to take urgent action. Country-specific structural reforms can boost long-term growth, improve competitiveness and productivity, create jobs and ensure a cleaner environment and equal opportunities for all.
©OECD
WATCH THE VIDEOBuilding trust
The cost of injustice
Wealth, gender, race, disability, and education: all these factors influence how citizens access legal services. Fortunately, local and national governments are beginning to improve the “people-centred” nature of legal and justice services and to enhance equal access to legal services.
©OECD Observer
Read the full storyTax Inspectors Without Borders: Case study, Senegal
Tax Inspectors Without Borders sends experienced auditors to developing countries, to work side-by-side with local officials on complex audits of multinational enterprises. The objective – strengthen their ability to challenge complex tax avoidance schemes and raise critically needed revenues for government services.
©OECD
WATCH THE VIDEOCommunication, Connection, Community: Why a woman’s place is politics
With gender imbalances across politics, business and academia, at the current rate of progress we are almost a century away from global gender parity. Silvana Koch-Mehrin, President and Founder of the Women Political Leaders Global Forum, discusses why we need female political leaders and we can do to get them.
©Women Political Leaders Global Forum
Read the full storyDigital democracy: Steps towards equality or a road to gentrification?
There are individuals in digital and Civic Tech who are dreaming big, and who are investing much in using the digital space to bring citizens and governments closer together. One of those risks is the gentrification of the digital world, which reinforces offline disadvantage and amplifies it online.
©OECD Forum
Read the full story