In The News

PISA Results Can Mislead Policymakers: Economist

December 9, 2019
The OECD initiated the Programme for International Student Assessment, or PISA, about two decades ago, and students in select schools of member and some non-member states take the test every three years. PISA analyzes reading, math, and science skills of 15- and 16-year-old students. OECD released the newest results and although the expenditure per pupil in the OECD has increased by 15 percent in...

Why Billions Do Not Have Glasses: BBC

Tim Harford November 23, 2019
As many as 2.5 billion people worldwide need but do not have eyeglasses. The Vision Council of America suggests that 75 percent of adults need eyeglasses to read, drive and work. Glasses, often taken for granted in developed nations, support worker productivity and safety. Yet millions worldwide lack access to eyewear. “And many of those people may have no idea glasses could help them,” explains...

Hong Kong Standoff: South China Morning Post

Sum Lok-kei, Karen Zhang, Gary Cheung, Chris Lau and Danny Mok November 19, 2019
Hong Kong’s peaceful protests over one law, allowing extradition of those charged with crimes to China, began in June and has since disintegrated into use of force, violence and resentment over any Chinese control at all. Riot police have surrounded Polytechnic University, trapping protesters and other occupants inside, using teargas. Police warn all will face punishment. Parents urge a peaceful...

Brexit Is a Cultural Revolution: Atlantic

Yascha Mounk October 27, 2019
Boris Johnson’s Brexit withdrawal agreement, similar to one proposed by former Prime Minister Theresa May, won approval in the House of Commons. Members of parliament who feared Britain would lose influence with May’s plan have higher expectations for a similar plan proposed by Boris Johnson. “The next weeks still hold a lot of uncertainty; from new elections to a no-deal Brexit, all options...

Educate Afghan Youth to Ensure Peace: NYT

Roya Mahboob October 20, 2019
International aid for Afghanistan funds programs that strengthen democracy, while improving health and education systems. The young country, with a median population of 25 and a population of 35 million, struggles with poverty, extremism, political divisions and large numbers of children going uneducated. The World Bank estimated the per capita income at $560. “Human rights groups continue to...

Globalization and Travel: World Economic Forum

Kris Naudts June 29, 2019
Globalization has without a doubt led to increased travel and a boom of the tourism industry. While the term “globalization” generally is used more for discussion of trade and finance, the diffusion of people across borders is a leading factor for increased interactions among cultures. A rise in student debt and housing costs contribute to cultural trends that favor experiences more than...

Modi and India’s Muslims? Al Jazeera

Sudipto Mondal June 9, 2019
In the aftermath of his party’s convincing election victory, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi has tried to push the issue of decreasing inclusion and representation by the substantial Muslim minority to the spotlight. History shows that the rise of the right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party, or BJP, has led to increasing violence against Muslims in recent years. Muslim leaders do not trust Modi’s...