The Bretton Woods Project's selection of the best books, reports and other resources on the World Bank and IMF from 2017.
IFC
Private Sector
Analysis
How the Bank’s push for microcredit failed the poor
Originally created to help the poor escape poverty and deprivation, the World Bank became the most important advocate for the commercialised microcredit model. Yet, critics argued it undermined the chances of sustainable and equitable development to create a poverty trap of historic proportions.
Rights
News
CAO released damning audit of IFC hydro project in Guatemala
CAO audit finds IFC failed to identify gaps in project’s social and environmental assessment, while communities impacted by the project face impacts on water source, livelihoods and levels of violence.
Social services
Analysis
A critical analysis of the World Bank's World Development Report on education
While the World Development Report (WDR) 2018 on education has some redeeming features, it is part of the Bank's longstanding very narrow view of education, and is silent on education financing.
Environment
News
Landmark climate-change complaint against IFC lodged in Philippines
The Philippine Movement for Climate Justice (PMCJ) makes history by filing first ever climate-related complaint against the IFC with the Compliance Advisor Ombudsman (CAO).
Private Sector
News
CSOs call on World Bank to halt its aggressive support of PPPs
152 CSOs call demand World Bank halt its aggressive support of PPPs, publicaly recognise their significant risks.
Finance
News
IFC to revisit its development outcomes framework
Civil society seeks to input into IFC's new development outcomes framework.
IFI governance
Analysis
Annual Meetings wrap-up: Kim turns to bankrupt ideas, while IMF tries to undo inequality it doesn't admit it helped cause
BWP's analysis of this year's IMF and World Bank annual meetings; hopeful growth forecasts tampered by medium-term concerns, with US anti-multilateralism finally hitting Bank and Fund.
IFI governance
Analysis
Development Committee communiqué analysis: Embracing the cascade in response to turbulent times
BWP analysis of the Development Committee Communiqué issued on 14 October, as part of this year's World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings.
IFI governance
Background
The challenges of financing infrastructure in developing countries through PPPs: A focus on contracts and laws
Notes from the 2017 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings session on financing infrastruure in Latin America through PPPs. This session aims to discuss the main challenges pose by the widespread promotion of PPPs and its impacts in particular Latin American cases.
IFI governance
Background
Funding energy access for the poor: Can the Bank meet the Challenge?
Notes from the 2017 World Bank and IMF Annual Meeting Civil Society Policy Forum session on energy access, 11 October.
IFI governance
Background
Measuring impact – an overview of IFC’s new approach to measuring development impact
Notes on the IFC's new approach to measuring development impact at the Civil Society Policy Forum 2017, 10 October.
