Rights

Analysis

Human rights (the World Bank way)

18 June 2010

Most of the world's governments have ratified at least one human rights treaty or convention. Kirk Herbertson, Kim Thompson and Robert Goodland of the World Resources Institute ask why the World Bank Group - which is owned by these same governments - is hesitant to discuss human rights openly.

Social services

Commentary

The Greek crisis and the involvement of the IMF

The “Greek expression” of the crisis has revealed an amazingly broad range of issues not only concerning the structural problems of the Greek economy, but also those of the European Union (EU) as an economic and currency area, and its unwillingness or inability to react to the problem in a timely, meaningful and collective way.

17 June 2010 | Guest comment

Conditionality

News

Debt crisis in Europe: Beware IMF bearing gifts

The descent of Greece into a sovereign debt crisis marks the first time a country that uses the euro has gone to the IMF. The fear of adverse market reaction has now moved Europe towards greater coordination and the G20 to argue against continued fiscal stimulus.

17 June 2010

Rights

News

Is IFC palm oil investment a foregone conclusion?

The World Bank is currently undertaking a major review of its controversial engagement in palm oil production, but critics warn that consultation has been inadequate and that the Bank seems to have already decided to continue investment in the sector.

18 June 2010

Accountability

News

World Bank performance standards review reveals need to raise the bar

With a review of the social and environmental performance standards of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) underway, reports from within the World Bank Group as well as civil society highlight the need for reform.

18 June 2010

Infrastructure

News

World Bank clings to fossil fuels, stumbles on clean energy

The World Bank's energy lending suggests that it remains wedded to fossil fuels, as independent evaluators and civil society groups raise serious concerns about its approach to energy efficiency and renewables.

17 June 2010

Infrastructure

News

IMF's latest prescription: Cure the crisis with austerity

The IMF has gone back to promoting fiscal austerity and pressuring governments to implement spending cuts and structural reforms. Austerity also remains at the heart of the Fund's debt sustainability policies.

17 June 2010

Finance

News

IMF bank tax proposals cause controversy

A leaked copy of the IMF's report to the G20 on A fair and substantial contribution by the financial sector which proposes two new financial sector taxes to cover some of the costs of the financial and economic crisis, has been criticised by campaigners for inadequate analysis of the potential of the financial transactions tax (FTT), dubbed the Robin Hood tax.

17 June 2010

IFI governance

News

IFI governance reform freezing over?

An in-depth analysis of the latest round of World Bank reforms shows they delivered significantly less than proclaimed, while IMF governance reforms, slated to conclude in January 2011, are proceeding slowly and promising only minor changes.

17 June 2010

Environment

News

Resistance to Bank's role in climate finance as alternatives gain traction

As talks aim toward an agreement on climate finance in December in Cancun, fault lines remain about the role of the World Bank. Contradictions in recent Bank lending and contributions to alternative financing mechanisms have fuelled ongoing debates about the Bank’s role.

17 June 2010

Land

News

World Bank work on land supports "a new form of colonialism"

A set of voluntary principles for agricultural investment in developing countries, launched by the World Bank and other institutions in April, veils the promotion of investors' interests at the expense of host populations, warn civil society groups.

17 June 2010

Conditionality

News

IMF board shies away from bold mandate changes

In a series of four papers the IMF executive board has been discussing fundamental changes to the way it does business. Despite the financial, economic and debt crises demonstrating the failures in the current international architecture, there was no consensus on the need for, or direction of, reform.

11 June 2010