The World Bank-IMF Development Committee and the IMF‘s International Monetary and Financial Committee got together in Washington to discuss progress on the work of the Bank and Fund, attracting the attention of civil society actors from around the globe. The Institutions focused on several issues for discussion, including the effectiveness of development assistance, implementation of the agreements reached in Monterrey, education and MDB collaboration and reform. Peaceful demonstrations in the streets of Washington numbering over 100,000 dispelled any rumours that nationalist sentiment would deter protesters. The next issue of the Bretton Woods Update will contain analysis of the outcomes of the meetings.
WB IMF Links:
WB and IMF Discussions with Civil Society Organizations
Development Committee Report on the review of PRSPs (PDF) Financing for Development: Implementing the Monterrey Consensus (PDF)
UK Government’s paper on the spring meetings
NGO Links:
Anti-IMF protests sweep developing world, States of unrest II report from World Development Movement
Private Sector Development – Pro-poor, or merely poor service delivery?, Eurodad
Hazardous to Health: The World Bank and IMF in Africa Africa Action Position Paper, Africa Action
From the Bretton Woods Update:
Development finance summit a fiasco
Media:
School doors pushed open, 22 April, The Guardian
The challenge of world poverty, 22 April, The Economist
Description of the demonstrations, 22 April, Indymedia
IMF chief more optimistic on world economy, 18 April, FT
IMF sees growth slip in Africa, 18 April, BBC News
