June 08, 2011

Vote for Innovations for Justice Here

A Dutch group seeks to promote innovations for justice around the world by recognizing and rewarding them. Vote here for the innovation that you think deserves the prize.

One of my favorites is IPaidABribe.com, a clever way to leverage the Internet to shine the light on corruption.

Posted by Anupam Chander on June 8, 2011 at 04:21 PM in Globalization | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 06, 2011

The Need for Global Coordination in Derivatives Regulation, Asia Included

The Wall Street Journal reports:

Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner on Monday will call for new global standards on derivatives trades, warning that failure to coordinate internationally would lead to a "race to the bottom" as companies seek out jurisdictions with the weakest rules.

"Just as we have global minimum standards for bank capital—expressed in a tangible international agreement—we need global minimum standards for margins on uncleared derivatives trades," Mr. Geithner is set to tell the International Monetary Conference in Atlanta, according to excerpts of his prepared remarks.

While the news story focuses on Europe and the United States, it is important to keep in mind that the offshoring might drive this market to Asia. Singapore, Tokyo, and Hong Kong must also coordinate to ensure an adequate regulatory framework, lest we see a repeat of 2008.

Posted by Anupam Chander on June 6, 2011 at 09:44 AM in International Finance | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack

June 05, 2011

An Indian Experiment in Egalitarian Education

Geeta Anand of the Wall Street Journal describes

a grand Indian experiment to narrow the gulf between rich and poor that is widening as India's economy expands. The Right to Education Act, passed in 2009, mandates that private schools set aside 25% of admissions for low-income, underprivileged and disabled students. In Delhi, families earning less than 100,000 rupees (about $2,500 a year) qualify.

Shri Ram, a nontraditional school founded in 1988, would seem well-suited to the experiment. Rather than drill on rote learning, as many Indian schools do, Shri Ram encourages creativity by teaching through stories, songs and art. In a typical class, two teachers supervise 29 students; at public schools nearby, one teacher has more than 50. Three times a day, a gong sounds and teachers and students pause for a moment of contemplation. Above the entrance, a banner reads, "Peace."

According to the story, poor students are to be given 25% of the seats in private schools, without the requirement of any "aptitude" tests.  

Posted by Anupam Chander on June 5, 2011 at 08:26 AM in Globalization | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack