Commentary

Conditionality

Commentary

Unsustainable? The IMF’s approach to the Sustainable Development Goals

As the IMF publishes new SDG site, meaningful policy realignment remains lacking while business-as-usual continues at IMF.

4 April 2019 | Guest comment

Conditionality

Commentary

Strikes overturn wage cuts, but IMF blindness risks ruining  Tunisia

General Secretary of Tunisia's largest trade union calls for an overhaul of the IMF's approach to bring about socially just expansionary policies, after strikes overturn IMF-backed wage bill

4 April 2019 | Guest comment

Rights

Commentary

World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings marred by clampdown on People’s Global Conference

Clampdown on civil society leaves stain on this year’s Annual Meetings, as global civic space is increasingly under threat

6 December 2018 | Guest comment

IFI governance

Commentary

The IMF and World Bank: Aiding and abetting inequality in Asia

As inequality in Asia continues to deepen, civil society renews calls for IMF and World Bank to be held accountable for exacerbating inequality.

28 September 2018 | Guest comment

IFI governance

Commentary

Bank and Fun(d) speak of the year: 12 days of Christmas – an ode to the World Bank & IMF’s 2018

At the end of every year, the Bretton Woods Project highlights some of the most farcical remarks of Fund and World Bank staff. This time, it’s set to music.

6 December 2018 | Humour

Conditionality

Commentary

Tunisians take to the streets over IMF-imposed austerity

Despite claiming to no longer support austerity, the IMF has imposed damaging cutbacks on the people of Tunisia as part of its loan conditionality, leading to widespread discontent on Tunisian streets.

25 March 2018 | Briefings

IFI governance

Commentary

Bank and Fun(d)speak of the year 2017

Every year the Bretton Woods Project highlights some of the most farcical remarks of Fund and World Bank staff.

7 December 2017 | Humour

Social services

Commentary

Back to basics: How the World Bank can finally get education right

A critique of the World Bank's education Development Report's narrow focus. To get education right, the World Bank must go back to basics and focus on funding established national policy, rather than developing it.

21 September 2017

Conditionality

Commentary

Protecting the victories of the ‘IMF Spring’

The IMF's recognition of the importance of inequality is under threat. Concerns have been raised about complacency and even the reversal of the IMF's recent progress on inequality, while IMF staff continue to operationalise new policy advice on inequality in surveillance and lending programmes.

3 July 2017

Infrastructure

Commentary

Landmark community dialogue in Nepal: Is the World Bank learning?

Following longstanding conflict over a World Bank-funded power line project in Nepal, dating back to 2009, communities express hope that a World Bank-supported dialogue initiative will result in a fair dispute resolution process and meaningful consultation.

22 May 2017

Conditionality

Commentary

The IMF returns to Zambia: How will gender and income inequality be addressed?

The government of Zambia has approached the IMF for financial assistance, however, Zambian civil society is concerned that the required reforms will worsen gender and income inequality.

6 April 2017 | Guest comment
Assam tea worker credit: Rajan Zaveri

Rights

Commentary

World Bank continues colonial legacy on Assam’s tea plantations

CAO report validates 2013 complaint by Indian NGOs on IFC investment in colonial tea plantation in Assam. The IFC's action plan is very limited in scope.

31 January 2017 | Guest comment