Social Cohesion and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean: Analysis, Action, and Coordination

The present document seeks to set forth the IDB's commitment to the objectives contained in the Declaration of Guadalajara and the parallel Memorandum of Understanding, a commitment that has taken shape in Bank programs and lending, as well as in a growing number of coordination efforts and analytical contributions. Despite progress thus far made, a long road lies ahead if more cohesive societies are to be achieved. Challenges in the operational arena include moving from good design to good execution, the need to improve and expand evaluation, and the building and further consolidation of country institutional capacity. We hope that this document, with its proposal on how to define and measure social cohesion and its discussion of Bank activity and the situation in Latin America and the Caribbean, will help to ensure that such opportunities result in concrete achievements for the region.