The Buffin Foundation

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Social Security Automatic Adjustments

The July 2017 edition of Commentary described the system of parametric adjustments to the United States Social Security system, indicating how certain features of the benefit structure are subject to periodic adjustments that are typically tied to inflation, as measured by changes to consumer prices or national wage levels. These adjustments include an annual cost-of-living […]

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The Age of Data Dependency: Policy by the Numbers

Economic and social policy decisions are increasingly becoming data-dependent. Specific key metrics and indicators are now being rigorously monitored as a precursor to decision-making in connection with public policy issues. While “management by objectives” techniques are well-established and widely practiced in government and industry, the stated objectives are often set in terms of inappropriate metrics […]

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United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment

The United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) were developed by an international group of institutional investors reflecting the increasing relevance of environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues to investment practices. The process was convened by the United Nations Secretary-General. The PRI goals are intended to understand and address the investment implications of ESG issues […]

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Part Three: Implementation)

Implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will have the greatest impact on the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). There are currently forty-seven countries that are classified by the United Nations as LDCs, including thirty-three in Africa, nine in Asia, four in Oceania, and one in The Americas. The United Nations Economic and Social Council […]

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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (Part Two: Challenges)

Eradicating poverty remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity. While the number of people living in extreme poverty dropped by more than half between 1990 and 2015, too many are still struggling for the most basic human needs. Economic growth and increased agricultural productivity over the past two decades reduced the number of undernourished […]