Investing in Quality of Life, Jordan's Syrian Refugees, and More

The key to stabilizing democracy, rejuvenating Midwestern communities, and strategies to put workers on the path to success. 

View in browser January 29, 2022 The best path to Midwestern rejuvenation   Many languishing Midwestern communities rely on traditional economic development strategies to reinvigorate their economies, including doling out incentives to attract or retain employers or attempting to create a more "business-friendly" environment with lower taxes and labor costs. John Austin, Amanda Weinstein, Michael Hicks, and Emily Wornell explain why these methods may be ineffective compared to investments in quality of life and place.   Read more Syrian refugees in Jordan: A decade and counting   Around 80% of Jordan's Syrian refugees fall below the poverty line and 60% of families are in extreme poverty. With the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating downward trends in livelihood, education, and health, it is critical for the international community to step up and provide support to this struggling population, Omer Karasapan argues.   Read more Reducing extreme polarization is key to stabilizing democracy   Polarization in its current severity demands study and swift response if the United States hopes to maintain a functioning democracy. Stephanie Forrest and Joshua Daymude identify the factors that drive political polarization and key mechanisms for addressing it.    Read more Setting workers up for success   A Civilian Climate Corps. The pathway from adolescence to adulthood and a good job remains an obstacle course for far too many Americans. Establishing a Civilian Climate Corps would allow the nation to address urgent climate issues, while also preparing young people for employment and life, says Martha Ross.    Apprenticeships in the tech sector. The United States has a skills gap problem, one that disproportionately impacts people of color. Jason Jabbari, Wenrui Huang, and Michal Grinstein-Weiss discuss how apprenticeships can improve efficiency in STEM workforce development and boost equity.  Help support Brookings with a donation   Brookings is committed to making its high-quality, independent policy research free to the public. Please consider making a contribution today to our Annual Fund to support our experts' work. The conclusions and recommendations of any Brookings publication are solely those of its author(s), and do not reflect the views of the Institution, its management, or its other scholars. The Brookings Institution, 1775 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 Unsubscribe Manage your newsletter preferences | Receive the Brookings Brief less often