We’re proud to celebrate our colleague Carolina Rivas, Senior Research Associate at Global TIES for Children (NYU), on the release of her new book, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank.

Based on 22,000+ in-person surveys across 11 countries, interviews with public officials, and detailed reviews of government digital platforms, the book examines whether digitalization of public services is increasing access — or widening existing gaps.

Key takeaway:
Digital systems can improve efficiency, but not everyone gets the benefits. Without intentional policy and design choices, digitalization risks deepening regional inequities.

During the launch event in Washington, D.C., Carolina and co-author Julieth Santamaria presented the findings, followed by a panel discussion on what governments can do to ensure digital transformation leaves no one behind.