Representatives of the Master of International Development Policy (MIDP) program at the Sanford School of Public Policy participated in a panel on positive developments in Latin America on Saturday, Feb. 13. The UNC-Duke Consortium Conference in Latin American and Caribbean Studies: “Approximations of the Past, Anticipation of the Future” was held at Duke University’s John Hope Franklin Center and the FedEx Global Education Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
During the panel, Professor Fernando Fernholz, Felipe Magofke (MIDP ‘15), Maria Undurraga (MIDP ‘16) and Patricio Borgoño (MBA & MIDP ‘16) shared perspectives on innovative policies for sustainable development in Latin America.
The presentation included a brief discussion on current social and economic conditions in the region, such as income, reduced inequalities and poverty. It went on to establish the links to examples of particular policies in several countries, including new forms of public-private partnerships, the capitalization of state-owned enterprises, provision of pensions and cash transfers, and an expanded role of the private sector in renewable energy and transportation.
Panelists discussed the Agricultural Productive Partnership in Chile, which engages the private sector in improving the well-being of small-scale farmers. They also shared incentives and programs to promote entrepreneurship through the Start Up Chile Program. The presentations concluded with the National Investment System (Social Appraisal and Decision-making in Chile) which has resulted in more efficient economic decision making, higher overall growth and poverty reduction.
“The presentation highlighted the positive impacts of the policies and their contribution to improving well-being in the region and beyond,” Fernholz said.
