It’s time to make the World Bank the “World’s Bank.” Extreme poverty is on the increase for the first time in a generation. Countries affected by fragility and conflict are at the front line. We have 75 months to go before we use what is left of our carbon budget. After that we lose the battle to stay within 1.5°C. The choices and actions implemented in this decade will have impacts now and for thousands of years to come. Business as...
Even before COVID-19 hit, 90% of children in low-income countries could not read and understand a simple story when they reached their 10th birthday. In Nigeria, three-quarters of primary teachers cannot pass a fourth grade test. The onset of COVID-19 is exacerbating the global learning crisis. At its peak, COVID-19 pushed 1.6 billion children out of school. By October, schools in 92 countries will remain closed. These months of lost learning disproportionately affect the poorest and the most marginalised. In...
Today, young people need a wide variety of skills to thrive in the global economy. Alongside traditional academic skills, such as literacy and numeracy, education should foster 21st century skills like creativity, critical thinking and collaboration. This is known as cultivating breadth of skills and competencies. At the same time, half the world’s upcoming generation is at at risk of being left behind. If nothing changes, 825 million young people will not be on track to learn basic secondary-level skills...
ONE has learnt of the sad news that Professor Hans Rosling passed away today in the presence of his family in Uppsala, Sweden. Hans was a great friend and supporter of ONE, as well as our predecessor organisation DATA. In a world where opinions and false stories have the power to shape politics and the news, Hans prioritised data and evidence and brought it to life — particularly when talking about the fight against extreme poverty. He was an optimist. He told...