The IMF and World Bank continue to be amongst the most relevant and significant powerful norm-setters, convenors, knowledge-holders and influencers of the international development and financial landscape. This Inside the Institutions sets-out some of the most common criticisms of the World Bank and IMF under three broad lenses: democratic governance, human rights and the environment.
View all articles
View all articles
View all articles
Background
Background
What are the Bretton Woods Institutions?
The Bretton Woods Institutions are the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). They were set up at a meeting of 43 countries in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, USA in July 1944. Their aims were to help rebuild the shattered postwar economy and to promote international economic cooperation.
Finance
Background
IMF surveillance
This Inside the Institutions looks at IMF surveillance and explores its role in influencing countries' macroeconomic policies .
Environment
Background
Carbon finance: The role of the World Bank in carbon trading markets
This Inside the Institutions looks at the role of the World Bank in carbon finance initiatives
Background
Isabel Alvarez and Ella Hopkins join the Bretton Woods Project
Isabel Alvarez and Ella Hopkins join the Bretton Woods Project as Communications Manager and Gender Project Officer, respectively
Background
Bretton Woods Project Steering Group
The Bretton Woods Project Steering Group meets on a regular basis to advise and review Project activities.
IFI governance
Background
A lost decade for human rights? Assessing austerity and its alternatives 10 years on from the financial crisis
Notes from the 20 April Civil Society Policy Forum session on assessing austerity and its alternatives 10 years after the global financial crisis at the World Bank and IMF's Spring Meetings.
IFI governance
Background
Financing development through financial intermediaries: Exploring best practices in transparency
Notes from the 19 April Civil Society Policy Forum session on financing development through financial intermediaries at the World Bank and IMF Spring Meetings.
Other news
Gender
Background
Sexual orientation & gender identity – considering risk mitigation within World Bank programming
This Civil Society Policy Forum Session was co-sponsored by the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce,…
Finance
Background
Taxing to Develop: International Taxation Challenges for Africa
Notes from the IMF and World Bank 2019 Spring Meetings official session on 14 April on international taxation challenges in Africa.
Infrastructure
Background
Sustainable Infrastructure: Aligning with Rights and the SDGs
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum event on 10 April, which looked at sustainable infrastructure from fiscal, rights and climate lenses.
Finance
Background
Taxes, Taxes, Taxes: Shifting the IFI Narrative to Progressive Gender-just Taxation
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 12 April on the changing international tax landscape from a feminist perspective and challenging IFIs’ role in shaping it at the World Bank and IMF's 2019 Spring Meetings.
Conditionality
Background
Austerity and the right to health - the IMF’s role in expanding fiscal space for public spending
Notes from the Civil Society Policy Forum session on 10 April on the incoherence between IMF-backed austerity policies, via loan conditionality and policy advice, and the realization of the right to health.
Knowledge
Background
Recommended resources on the World Bank and IMF: 2018
BOOKS Enforcing the rules in a global economy: The emergence of structural conditionality in the…
IFI governance
Background
UK civil society meeting with UK World Bank Executive Director Melanie Robinson
Notes from a meeting with the UK World Bank Executive Director on 6 July 2018.
IFI governance
Background
UK civil society meeting with UK World Bank Executive Director Melanie Robinson
Notes of a meeting with UK World Bank Executive Director Melanie Robinson on 19 March 2018.
