"Inequality remains a great obstacle in the development of Latin America and the Caribbean region, a report published by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) said Wednesday. Inequality in income, assets, land, capital, health, education and technology is holding back the region from achieving 2014 goals [set by a previous International Conference on Population and Development]...." [Xinhua/Factiva]

EFE adds that "... 'Despite some important achievements, we should not be complacent. There are still unacceptable levels of social inequality and segmentation in our region, above all in employment matters,' ECLAC Executive Secretary Alicia Barcena said...." [EFE/Factiva]

NOTIMEX writes that "...Barcena added that in the region there are still more than 180 million poor and 70 million destitute people. She said that the impact of the economic crisis is reflected in migration, by the return of some migrant families and the diminishing remittances, which ECLAC estimates will fall between 5-10 percent this year...." [NOTIMEX (Mexico)/Factiva]