World Bank Podcasts

What do our cell phones reveal about society’s poverty or prosperity? This week’s edition of 'Between 2 Geeks’ looks at the way that metadata from our phones paints a picture of our collective behavior. Presenters Tariq Khokhar and Andrew Whitby talk to Professor Joshua Blumenstock, from the University of California, on this innovation in data analysis and what it means for development.

World Bank Africa Region Chief Economist, Albert Zeufack and Africa’s Pulse Lead author, Punam Chuhan Pole discuss the most recent Africa’ Pulse report. In this issue the Pulse tackles Sub-Saharan Africa’s projected moderate growth of 2.6 percent, which should strengthen somewhat in 2018, helped by improvements in commodity prices, a pickup in global growth, and domestic conditions. However, there is a need to spur investment in infrastructure, energy production and roads, without losing the hard won battle against debt in poor countries. Albert and Punam discuss the ways that countries can increase investment to achieve their goals and reduce poverty.

Testing helps evaluate the performance and progress of pupils in the classroom. But what is the best way to judge the effectiveness of an educational system as a whole? In this week’s edition of ‘Between 2 Geeks, Presenters Tariq Khokhar and Raka Banerjee talk to Dr. Husein Abdul Hamid, a Senior World Bank Education Specialist, to understand the value of testing and how to measure what really works in the classroom.

What’s the connection between dice and climate change? Find out in this week’s edition of ‘Between 2 Geeks’ - the World Bank’s podcast that looks at the data behind international development. Presenters Tariq Khokhar and Andrew Whitby talk to Dr. Ana Bucher, a climate change specialist with the World Bank, to find out what the data are saying about our changing world, and what needs to be done to address it. Read more on The Data Blog: http://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/between-2-geeks-episode-2-climate-change-anomalies-and-new-normal

Where in the world is the population growing, where is it shrinking, and why are there such variations? The first episode of Between 2 Geeks looks at the data behind demography. Presenters Tariq Khokhar and Raka Banerjee are joined by Dr. John May – a demographer and population policy expert with the Population Reference Bureau. They discuss the factors that shape population change, and what it means for the future of our world. Read more on The Data Blog: https://blogs.worldbank.org/opendata/between-2-geeks-ups-and-downs-demography

Hear about the World Bank’s new podcast series ‘Between Two Geeks,’ which delves into the numerical side of life around the world. In the first episode, presenters Tariq Khokhar and Raka Banerjee look into the data behind demography with help from one of the world’s leading population experts. Future episodes will follow every Tuesday over the course of the next two months.

Can a soap opera change lives? In Nigeria, the MTV drama, Shuga, is encouraging young people to get HIV-tested and reduce risk-taking, according to a new study by economists Abhijit Banerjee, Eliana La Ferrara and Victor Hugo Orozco-Olvera. In this podcast, Banerjee and Orozco explain why “edutainment” – the combination of entertainment and education - may be the best way to motivate people to change their behavior and to tackle development problems, such as HIV/AIDS.

Fashionable clothes. Fun felt toys. Tasty tea. Organic Ginger. Nepal has plenty of goods to export across the globe - and that will be easier with the launch of a new Trade Information Portal, financed under the Nepal-India Regional Trade and Transport Project. The portal provides pretty much all of the information traders need to import and export goods, including information on permits, laws and taxes. Listen to how two innovative entrepreneurs plan to make the portal work for them. And to learn more about Nepal transport and trade issues, click here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tMEtNb8Gqgs

IDA, the World Bank’s fund for the poorest, is the largest source of concessional finance for the world’s poorest countries. As the fund prepares for its triennial replenishment, to be held Dec. 14-15, 2016, in Indonesia, we talk with IDA Director Lisa Finneran about the fund’s impact on ending poverty, boosting prosperity and responding to crisis. In the next IDA funding cycle (IDA18), a new financing model is expected to bring greater investment on issues including fragility and conflict, climate change, gender, governance, and jobs. For more, visit http://ida.worldbank.org/ and follow us on Twitter: @WBG_Fin4Dev. Join the conversation with #IDAWorks.

Armenia was faced with a slowing economy, sinking remittances, and inefficient tax administration. At the same time, ordinary taxpayers had to navigate arduous processes when paying taxes. The Armenian government was eager to reform its tax administration, and with the World Bank’s support, was successful in creating a more service-oriented and efficient tax administration. Reforms helped the country build a fairer tax code and collect more public revenues. Photo courtesy of: Dmitry Karyshev https://www.flickr.com/photos/bims2008/28079708852/in/photolist-JMiRaf-6cG1bP-644bjw-re7yDN-7ZZxwM-amz1Kp-bmqbNw-69djyF-4i5qt7-4i1miD-8Gae4d-c789GS-8F94mE-8ETTTo-8EQJZ8-8EQz1x-813GaC-ah24fX-8EQN32-LJVBLu-69djdV-69dkbB-6zqdyy-6ynQhz-oT2JdE-6Lt215-wCZ89p-45pomB-anbfHg-wHwXeq-afYvkj-6LoTe8-JLArLH-5nJPi8-4i1kZZ-4i5qX9-JZzaDr-JffM6L-6hcmHM-ov9Ls-5nA9dK-Fhzd4Z-J17Hwn-HncKud-4i1mpn-s32atL-644819-J15Wqo-6fPbVG-4i1muF

In the Central African Republic, recovery and reconstruction after its most recent civil war will take time, political will, courage and perseverance. But there is hope. After three years of unprecedented violence and civil strife, the recent presidential elections have opened the door for a fragile peace brokering process. Now, for the first time; citizens have a democratically elected president and parliament. A 12,000 armed strong peacekeeping mission is deployed on the entire territory that is able to contain the armed groups scattered throughout the territory. Professor Faustin Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic, says, "Accordingly, we plan to launch immediately a program for disarmament, demobilization, rehabilitation and repatriation of former combatants." Despite its entrenched poverty, and frail economic and social climate, the CAR’s public finances are no longer in acute crisis. Regionally, there are signs of a rebound in confidence, with the resumption of international flights to Kenya and the reopening of the road corridor to Douala . All these signs point to a “Turn-Around” situation. And with this headwind, the people of the CAR, their leaders and development partners can make real progress toward the kind of positive change that can make a real difference in the lives of citizens that have been hardest hit by violence and civil strife. Consider this: about 2.3 million people, around half of the country’s population, are still in urgent need of humanitarian assistance But it will take commitment from the international community: commitment that goes beyond stabilization efforts and humanitarian aid. Professor Faustin Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic, says, "Fortunately, the international community, at the peak of this crisis, stood at our side; and now, as we endeavor to emerge from that situation, the international community continues to lend us support. We wish to show our commitment. We wish to show that we are determined to leave that situation behind, with the help of resolute reforms." The country is rich in natural resources. With plenty of water and arable land, these citizens can rebuild their lives and become food secure. By working to diversify the extractives industry and developing its agriculture sector, the CAR could drive its economy. The World Bank is working with partners to ensure that this fragile and hard won stability is lasting. Accessing the turn-around facility under IDA17 will allow for the allocation of resources to support the CAR and her new leaders. So that work can begin to provide employment to citizens. So that emergency public services can be restored, hospitals and schools can be rebuilt. So that essential electricity and water services can reach citizens of the communities most affected by the crisis. So that the 380,000 internally displaced people, now hosted in makeshift camps, can safely return home. So that former combatants are reinserted into society and provided with job opportunities as part of the reconciliation effort. It’ll take continued effort to ensure peace and stability, but it is worth it. Faustin Archange Touadéra, President of the Central African Republic, says, "Currently, our main support is the will of the people of the country to turn the back on the aforesaid situation. They made that plain in the elections. They want to get out of that situation, with its endless conflicts."

Faustin Touadéra, le président de la République centrafricaine, s’est donné pour priorité de remettre les agriculteurs au travail, de consolider la paix, de désarmer et réinsérer les anciens combattants dans la société alors que le pays se relève à peine de trois années de conflits. La communauté internationale est aux côtés des Centrafricains et soutient les efforts du nouveau gouvernement.

Gone are the days when women used dangerous and smoky stoves. Now, they’re entrepreneurs and promoters of improved stoves that save money. This is one of several case studies in the upcoming State of Energy Access Report, supported by the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). The simple, new stoves use less firewood and help women in rural Kenya cook meals faster, save money, and reduce the impact on their health. To learn more about Kenya's energy projects, visit: http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/energy https://www.esmap.org/

A free digital ID system in India is bringing financial services such as bank accounts and insurance to millions of people for the first time. World Bank's Pabsy Pabalan speaks with Dr. Ajay Bhushan Pandey to learn how a new, verifiable ID can improve lives. *** Watch the full event: Identification for Development: Harnessing the Power of Digital Solutions http://live.worldbank.org/identification-for-dev Event details: One-and-a-half billion people around the world can’t prove who they are. Without an ID, they face barriers doing everyday tasks such as opening a bank account, accessing social benefits, and getting health insurance. New technologies can help countries build robust and inclusive identification systems. Join the World Bank’s Chief Economist and panelists from governments and the private sector as they discuss how countries have developed identification systems to enable a range of key development outcomes. #ID4D *** ABOUT PABSYLIVE A young professional and a native of the Philippines, Pabsy has become our star reporter and a trusted voice with young people. Her interviews capture a wide range of World Bank Group issues: agriculture and sustainability, food and water security, childhood development, forced marriage, climate change, microfinance, transportation, labor issues and regulations, and digital dividends. To listen to other episodes, visit: https://soundcloud.com/worldbank/sets/pabsylive

As Treasurer of the World Bank, Gene Rotberg was at the front line in contending with complicated global economic issues. Despite retiring from the post almost three decades ago, he maintained an interest and passion in explaining the matters that occupied him during his years at the Bank. In particular he sought to make them comprehensible to those not normally exposed to international economics – children. As a result, Gene Rotberg along with his wife Iris, who is a Professor of Education, wrote a book ‘‘How Emma Stopped the World’ playfully explaining global trade. It was inspired by a question from one of their grandchildren, and it uses their professional backgrounds to enlighten and entertain. Bookmark explores the creative literary works of World Bank Group staff members. To listen to others episodes of the series, visit: soundcloud.com/worldbank/sets/bookmark