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.
Commentary
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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).
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.
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.