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NEWS
* Emerging Developments and Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa
* Morocco Sets the Pace for Blockbuster Solar Development
* Social Protection Strategy Helps Cushion Economic Shocks
* Ethiopia Empowers Citizens to Monitor Services
* Padma Bridge: Connecting People to Prosperity in Bangladesh
* Podcast: Water, Water Everywhere
EVENTS AND DISCUSSIONS
* Deadline Extended: ABCDE 2011 Call for Proposals
REGIONAL NEWS AND PROJECTS
Africa
East Asia and the Pacific
East Europe and Central Asia
Latin America and the Caribbean
Middle East and North Africa
South Asia
RESULTS
*Cambodia: Villagers Enjoy Cheaper, More Reliable Electricity
BUSINESS AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
* Ombudsman
ON THE BLOGS
* Solar Home Systems Light Up the Bangladeshi Countryside
IN DEPTH
* Access to Clean Energy
DID YOU KNOW?
* You can join a scavenger hunt on the World Bank's website
Emerging Developments and Challenges in the Middle East and North Africa
If supported by properly managed democratic transition, the political developments in the Middle East and North Africa provide a unique opportunity to leverage people and civil society power to change the landscape of the region, said Shamshad Akhtar, World Bank Vice President for the Middle East and North Africa. Read more
Morocco Sets the Pace for Blockbuster Solar Development
Morocco begins an important shift toward renewable energy with preparations under way for one of the world's largest solar power plants, paving the way for the country to become a major climate change mitigation player. Read more
Social Protection Strategy Helps Cushion Economic Shocks
World Bank is developing a new Social Protection and Labor Strategy to help those in low- and middle-income countries ride out economic and social shocks. The strategy will build on successful models, including safety net programs, conditional cash transfers, and public works job creation. Read more
Ethiopia Empowers Citizens to Monitor Services
Ethiopia's Protection of Basic Services project has helped the country progress towards the Millennium Development Goals. More than 100,000 primary school teachers have been recruited, and net primary school enrollment rates increased from 68.5% to 87.9% between 2005-2010. Read more
Padma Bridge: Connecting People to Prosperity in Bangladesh
The Padma Bridge is expected to unlock the potential and transform the lives of nearly 30 million Bangladeshis living in the country's Southwest region. By reducing distances to major urban centers like Dhaka by almost 100km, the bridge will facilitate regional trade, reduce poverty, and accelerate growth. Read more
Podcast: Water, Water, Everywhere
The Bank's Julia Bucknall gives us an overview of the world's water situation and tells us what climate change has wrought. Listen to our podcast.
Deadline Extended: ABCDE 2011 Call for Proposals
The World Bank invites researchers and institutions to submit proposals to host a parallel session at the Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE) 2011, which will take place in Paris, France, on 30 May–1 June 2011. Deadline: March 15, 2011.
REGIONAL NEWS AND PROJECTS
Africa
World Bank Project Aims at Improving Urban Services in Zanzibar
$38 million to support implementation of a project aimed at improving access to urban services in Zanzibar. The project will develop infrastructure such as surface water drainage systems, solid waste management, street lights and a sea wall. Read more
East Asia and the Pacific
Report: Challenges to China's Health Reform Push
Health disparities remain significant between urban and rural areas, and among different socio-economic groups in China. More equitable allocation of government health resources is needed to achieve health reform objectives, according to a new report. Read more
East Europe and Central Asia
Strengthening Serbia's Private Sector Development
Months of queuing in cramped rooms used to be standard procedure to register a business in Serbia. A new initiative to digitize records and improve systems is now saving entrepreneurs time and money. Read more
Latin America and the Caribbean
El Salvador: Working to Protect the Most Vulnerable
The World Bank Country Director for Central America, Felipe Jaramillo, is visiting El Salvador to renew the Bank's commitment to supporting the government's social and economic agenda. Read more
Middle East and North Africa
Yemen: One Million Women and Children to Receive Health Services
Around a million women and children in the poorest rural and urban slum areas of Yemen will benefit from a Bank-supported effort to decrease child mortality and increase the well-being of mothers. Read more
Cambodia: Villagers Enjoy Cheaper, Reliable Electricity
With only 26% of the population having access to electricity, Cambodia has among the lowest electrification rates in the world. The $40 million Rural Electrification and Transmission Project will help 100,000 households in Cambodia get access to cheaper, reliable electricity. Read more
Ombudsman
The World Bank Group is recruiting an individual with extensive successful experience in conflict resolution to fill a position of ombudsman. At least 10 years of successful professional experience, including a minimum of 5 years in workplace conflict resolution, is highly desirable. Read more
Solar Home Systems Light Up the Bangladeshi Countryside
Solar home systems are increasing access to electricity in Bangladesh andchanging lives. More than 750,000 remote households and shops have already been connected, and 30,000 new systems are installed every month. Read more
IN DEPTH
Access to Clean Energy
DID YOU KNOW?
You can join a scavenger hunt on the World Bank's website
Can you find the GDP of China using the World Bank website in fewer than 4 clicks? Join this online scavenger hunt to find out, while helping us improve our website. Start here.
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