Strengthening the Understanding of Public Policy Challenges in Bolivia
The Center for International Development and the Master’s Programs for Development (MpD) at Catholic University of Bolivia initiated this engagement to strengthen the teaching and studies of the public policy challenges in Bolivia. Led by HKS Faculty Dan Levy, the engagement incorporates the research of the Growth Lab program and the curriculum and pedagogy of the Harvard Kennedy School as well as the rest of Harvard.
The key areas of focus of the engagement are in:
- incorporating new teaching methodologies and technologies to enhance quality of pedagogy, particularly around course management systems and flexible course formats that support online learning and teaching
- analyzing the Bolivian economy, its economic complexity, and the restrictions it faces, from a growth diagnostics perspective, in order to propose public policies to enhance the country’s development
- understanding entrepreneurship and productivity in Bolivia, and fostering business development to achieve sustainable growth
The engagement operates through adaptive modalities of faculty and student seminars, trainings, co-creation and collaborative research, curriculum development, and two-way visits.
ORIGIN
The origin of the engagement between the Harvard Kennedy School and Catholic University of Bolivia dates back to the early 1990s as the basis for the creation of the Master’s Degree program in Public Policy and Management. Housed within the School of Production and Competitiveness (ePC, Escuela de la Producción y la Competitividad), the program grew and evolved over the years to include Master’s Programs in Public Policy, Business Administration and Finance.
Celebrating 25 years of the MpD, the master’s programs have had an important impact on Bolivian public life. The more than 1,400 graduates of MpD are in significant positions in the government and the private sector, as well as in non-profit organizations and other Bolivian institutions. More than 4,000 Bolivians have been reached through its short courses. Through the MpD curriculum, the ePC has increasingly focused its research, teaching, and outreach efforts on the interrelated themes of local development, entrepreneurship, microfinance, poverty and social development.
ATLAS OF ECONOMIC COMPLEXITY
Explore Bolivia's Country Profile
Bolivia is a lower-middle-income country, ranking as the 90th richest economy per capita out of 133 studied. Its 11.5 million inhabitants have a GDP per capita of $3,552 ($9,093 PPP; 2019). GDP per capita growth has averaged 2.5% over the past five years, above regional averages. Bolivia ranks as the 102nd most complex country in the Economic Complexity Index (ECI) ranking.
