ECLAC Launches Book on the Socio-economic Perceptions and Realities in the Region

(10 June 2010) A new publication with the results of a study on the relationship between the objective socio-economic conditions in the region and the perceptions and expectations the population has of them will be launched today, Thursday, June 10 at 4:30 p.m. at the headquarters of the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC).

The book Latin America in the Mirror. Objective and Subjective Dimensions of Social Inequity and Well-Being in the Region was prepared by ECLAC and Latinobarómetro, with the support of the Agency for International Cooperation and Development of Spain (AECID).

The publication explains the results of a study carried out in 18 countries in the region between 1995 and 2008 and which sought to answer the following question: Do the objective conditions of economic welfare and social inequality in Latin America correspond with the expectations and perceptions people have of them?

In order to do this, ECLAC and Latinobarómetro based the investigation on two types of sources: official records and household surveys in each country and public opinion polls conducted by Latinobarómetro. Associating both types of sources in 18 countries in Latin America was an unprecedented exercise at a regional level.

Through this publication, ECLAC hopes to contribute to the design of more comprehensive public policies pursuant to significant reductions in poverty and inequality in the region.

The book will be commented by prominent officials and experts on public and social policies.

The book will be presented on Thursday, June 10 at 4:30 p.m., Celso Furtado Conference Room, ECLAC (Av. Dag Hammarskjold 3477, Vitacura, Santiago).

For enquiries, please contact ECLAC's Public Information and Web Services Section. Email: dpisantiago@cepal.org; telephone: (56-2) 210-2040/2149.