"Haiti will quite literally need to be rebuilt from the ground up," writes COA's Eric Farnsworth. The United States, aided by partners in the international community,  "should work  together under a special new UN mandate to restore the nation and put it on a new path to long-term, sustainable development. This is where the true test of U.S. leadership will come," he added.

A week after a massive earthquake, Haiti continues to reel from the natural disaster. Despite the current catastrophe, international efforts are assessing how the manpower and money pledged can support recovery down the road.

Speakers at this October 29 featured experts from the Mexican government, multilateral organizations, and the private sector. Their discussion focused on project financing, public-private partnerships, and regulatory frameworks to attract private investors.

A policy update in the Fall 2009 issue of Americas Quarterly examines health care systems in Cuba, Chile, Colombia, and Costa Rica.

More green space is as important to the health of urban dwellers as good hospitals, writes Rio-based public health researcher and practitioner Daniel Becker in the Fall 2009 issue of Americas Quarterly.

Citing inefficiencies, poor service, and bloated costs, the government of Mexican President Felipe Calderón dissolved the country's second biggest electric company on October 11. But even as the move drew cheers, it also drew protests from unions and congressional opponents.

During an August 9 and 10 summit in Guadalajara, North American leaders forged consensus on issues ranging from climate-change policy to security, writes Canadian Senator Pamela Wallin.