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Curated by Project Syndicate

Education: The Brain Gain

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Education does not benefit only its recipients; it has a profound impact on national economic outcomes. Poor educational performance may be a determining factor in the inability of Latin American countries to rise from middle- to high-income status over the last 50 years. Likewise, education could explain why Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan attained high-income status, while countries like Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia cannot complete the middle-income transition. Policymakers, economists, educators, and business leaders debate and advance innovative ideas about educational practice and policy.

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  1. The Internal Challenge to Afghanistan’s Ban on Girls’ Secondary Education
    brown118_Wakil KohsarGettyImages_afghan_girls_school Wakil Kohsar/Getty Images

    The Internal Challenge to Afghanistan’s Ban on Girls’ Secondary Education

    Mar 24, 2025 Gordon Brown explains why the country’s leadership crisis represents an opportunity to end gender apartheid.

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    Mar 18, 2025 Dani Rodrik argues that leaders in both sectors bear a disproportionate responsibility to come to democracy's defense.

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    Education Belongs on the Climate Agenda

    Feb 19, 2025 Adenike Oladosu explains why investing in schools in conflict- and crisis-affected countries would build resilience.

  4. Protecting Children from Anti-Social Media
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    Protecting Children from Anti-Social Media

    Dec 2, 2024 Peter G. Kirchschläger urges countries to emulate Australia and bar young people from addictive online platforms.

  5. Unlocking AI-Powered Learning
    nixonsaintil2_Philipp von Ditfurthpicture alliance via Getty Images_ai classrooms Philipp von Ditfurth/picture alliance via Getty Images

    Unlocking AI-Powered Learning

    Oct 14, 2024 Justina Nixon-Saintil foresees the technology enhancing student learning and creating new pathways to rewarding careers.

  6. The UN’s Summit of the Future Must Champion Universal Education
    brown110_Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy UkrinformFuture Publishing via Getty Images_education Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy / Ukrinform/Future Publishing via Getty Images

    The UN’s Summit of the Future Must Champion Universal Education

    Sep 23, 2024 Gordon Brown urges global policymakers to ensure access for all schoolchildren in the world’s poorest regions.

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