Commentary

Infrastructure

Commentary

Disempowered development

World Bank support for a Nepal power line has been criticised for violating indigenous peoples’ rights and the use of armed forces, yet an Inspection Panel investigation has been delayed.

31 March 2014 | Guest comment

Accountability

Commentary

World Bank accountability mechanisms: Any lessons learned yet?

The effectiveness of the Bank's accountability mechanisms relies on the extent their findings are accepted by Bank management. In three recent cases the Bank president has not responded seriously to their findings. The mechanisms must be made powerful and independent enough to hold the Bank to account.

27 February 2014 | Guest comment

Rights

Commentary

Leaving behind the most vulnerable

The World Bank-funded conditional cash transfer programme in the Philippines fails to include people with disabilities, meaning they are missing out on vital support.

23 January 2014 | Guest comment

Knowledge

Analysis

IMF & gender: a long way to go

This briefing analyses the recently published IMF discussion note Women, work and the economy and draws some positive conclusions from its recommendations, whilst pointing to additional measures that the IMF can take to promote gender equity.

23 January 2014 | At Issue

IFI governance

Commentary

Bankspeak of the year 2013

The Bretton Woods Project awards the most comical use of words by members of staff at the World Bank and IMF in 2013.

23 January 2014 | Humour

Environment

Commentary

Future of public climate finance: What should happen to the Climate Investment Funds?

In a new blog, posted on TripleCrisis the Bretton Woods Project outlines why the Green Climate Fund, rather than the Climate Investment Funds should be the main channel to distribute climate finance.

26 November 2013 | Blog

Rights

Commentary

CSO response to the CAO investigation into IFC investment in Corporación Dinant, Honduras

An international statement, signed by 70 organisations, in response to the publication in mid January of a CAO audit and the IFC response and action plan related to IFC investment in Corporación Dinant, Honduras.

16 January 2014 | Statement

Social services

Commentary

World Bank funded private schools in Pakistan

Pakistan’s education system has recently received enormous global attention however the increase in World Bank-backed investment in low cost private schools threatens to undermine recent government moves and the campaign to provide all children with free compulsory education.

2 December 2013

IFI governance

Commentary

Learning from failures or repeating mistakes

Bretton Woods Project comment on President Jim Yong Kim's blog on Oxfam America challenges the Bank's emphasis on private sector development

31 October 2013 | Blog

Accountability

Commentary

Year 2 of the Tunisian revolution: Private profit vs public interest

In October 2012, the Tunisian government submitted a draft bill to the Constituent Assembly to shape a legal and institutional framework favourable to public-private partnerships (PPP).

2 July 2013 | Guest comment
No Alto Maipo

Infrastructure

Commentary

Alto Maipo endangers Santiago water supply

Chilean civil society groups demand that a controversial hydroelectric project, which is projected to have a negative impact on environment and Santiago's supply of drinking water, be reconsidered.

24 September 2013 | Guest comment

Finance

Commentary

Why the IMF must cancel Pakistan's debt

Alongside development and economic issues, Pakistan will be tackling the debt repayments that the country is scheduled to make in the next two years and beyond thanks to a $6.64 billion IMF loan agreement. The debt burden is suffocating public spending.

19 September 2013 | Guest comment