Strategic Priorities

The People’s Republic of China is the world’s most populous state and largest consumer of energy, having demonstrated momentous progress on an unprecedented scale. This global power has increasingly shaped international relations as a result of its population size, economic development and political character. Identifying the most significant new issues and problems that have arisen from China’s rapid development, this book examines the evolution of China’s contemporary foreign policy and international relations. In doing so, it underlines the global importance of China’s management of its own politics and economics, and demonstrates how all nation-states have a vested interest in —and to varying degrees are liable for —the consequences of Chinese actions. The book aims to spark debate by drawing attention to these critical issues; placing them on the scholarly agenda as well as that of the practitioner. It provides factual evidence, progressive findings, justification and a rationale for action, expert analysis, and the resulting policy prescriptions. In addition, the book highlights the liable costs of failing to address China’s strategic priorities. This interdisciplinary book draws attention to the most pressing issues that China must address for universal benefit, and will be of great interest to students and scholars of International Relations, Chinese Studies and Political Science.

Organized around the four key areas outlined in the U. S. Department of Education’s Race to the Top program, Strategic Priorities for School Improvement presents a collection of seminal articles on standards and assessment; using data to improve learning; recruiting and retaining great teachers and leaders; and turning around failing schools. Contributors include Karin Chenoweth, Stacey Childress, Elizabeth A. City, Rachel E. Curtis, Richard F. Elmore, Susan Moore Johnson, Ellen Moir, Richard J. Murnane, W. James Popham, Robert Rothman, Alexander Russo, D. Brent Stephens, and Nancy Walser.

El Salvador has made significant development progress in the past 30 years. The end of the civil war in 1992 marked the establishment of a liberal democracy and an open export-led development model, which led to a reduction in poverty and inequality. However, with economic growth averaging a modest 2.4% in the years before the COVID-19 pandemic, and productivity growth of 0.1% over the past decade, the post-war model has not generated the economic momentum or the jobs that the country needs.

This book combines various analyses of strategic priorities in a competitive market environment, focusing on the balanced scorecard technique, but also considering customer expectations, organizational requirements, financial outcomes and technological infrastructures. The first part explores the financial impacts and performance measurement of investments, while the second part examines customer demand in a globalized environment. Part three then addresses organizational quality and internal processes, highlighting participatory elements and synergies. Lastly, part four investigates strategic learning in enterprises as a factor for sustainable economic success in times of change and disruption.

Mexico has been a reform champion, having launched ambitious reforms in a broad range of areas. While the reforms are showing first positive effects they are not delivering to the extent they could...

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global threat of far-reaching proportions. Addressing the drivers and the impact of AMR presents challenges that require both multisectoral coordination and strong sector-specific responses. This document outlines the four WHO strategic priority areas that require urgent attention and highlights the key achievements and next steps of the WHO Antimicrobial Resistance Division at Headquarters, Geneva.

If agriculture in Eastern and Central Africa remains in its current state, not a single nation in the region will achieve the Millennium Development Goal of halving poverty by 2015. In the hopes of averting such a dismal outcome, this report analyzes agricultural development priorities and investment patterns in the region and their impact on growth and poverty rates, seeking an improved agricultural strategy. Using the Dynamic Research Evaluation for Management (DREAM) model and other tools to evaluate opportunities for increasing both agricultural and overall economic growth, the authors offer alternatives to the status quo. They propose approaches such as tailoring agricultural production to demand within Eastern and Central Africa, encouraging a wide variety of agricultural production to match the diversity of national demands and capacities, and promoting regional cooperation in agricultural development. Their analysis and conclusions should interest specialists in agricultural policy and investments, particularly those concerned with the impact of both on poverty reduction.

An in-depth quantitative analysis is undertaken in this paper to assist the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Secretariat, member countries, and development partners in setting future regional investment priorities for agricultural research and development in the SADC region. A primary goal of this work was to identify a range of agricultural research priorities for achieving sector productivity and overall economic growth in southern Africa, at both the country and regional levels. This is accomplished by adopting an integrated modeling framework that combines a disaggregated spatial analytical model with an economywide multimarket model developed specifically for the region.