Rob Vos is Professor of Finance and Development at the International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University, The Netherlands. At the time of editing this book, he was Director of the Development Policy and Analysis Division (DPAD) of the United Nations. He is presently Coordinator of the Strategic Programme on Rural Poverty Reduction and Director of the Gender, Equity and Rural Employment Division at the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.Manuel F. Montes is Chief of Branch of the Development Policy and Analysis Division (DPAD), Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations (UN/DESA).