The lack of transparency among development projects is making development finance math difficult, driving away private investors. Institutions like the Center for Global Development (CGD) are having difficulty figuring out how much money the world needs to achieve development goals because many development projects are hiding the returns that they’re earning. If these mainly taxpayer-funded development projects—like infrastructure construction—continue to be opaque about their finances, the CGD is forced to estimate costs higher than they probably are, which turns off private investors who could fund more transformative development projects. Read full article here
Societal Issues
To curb drug deaths, communities turn to Reddit, texts and wastewater
With drug overdose deaths on the rise, authorities are attempting to curb the epidemic by tracking and sharing information in real time. In one unique effort, a nonprofit in New York City is using drug-testing equipment and stamping or marking habits of dealers to identify drug batches that may endanger users. Other approaches are also being used, such as monitoring drug-related chatter on Reddit and analyzing local wastewater for opioid and other drug levels. With the combination of these efforts, researchers hope to put a dent in the opioid crisis and reduce overdose deaths. Read full article here
Merv
June 1, 2023
