As revolutionary movements sweep the Arab world, the World Bank and the IMF have taken a lead in international economic engagement in the Middle East and North Africa region. But critics have warned of the dangers of locking transitional governments into long-term loans with economic conditionalities that may perpetuate the flawed development model that contributed to the crisis in the first place.
Conditionality impacts
Rights
News
IMF's European austerity drive goes on
The IMF programme in Portugal highlights the heavy conditionality attached to loans. Meanwhile, a big, and very public, fight is brewing over debt in Greece, where the IMF denies any problems.
IFI governance
Background
IMF consultation on the 2011 review of conditionality
Minutes from a 4 May 2011 consultation in London between civil society organisations and IMF staff.
Rights
Analysis
Debt and austerity - from the global South to Europe
In early May, more than 400 activists in Greece and campaigners and academics from across the world met in Athens to confront the current debt crisis of the European periphery and plan international solidarity and coordinated action against fiscal austerity imposed by governments.
Accountability
Background
Consultation on Program for Results (P4R)
Notes of meeting, Washington DC, April 16, 2011
Environment
Background
The Green Climate Fund: discussion of principles and design
Notes of meeting, Washington DC, April 15, 2011
Conditionality
Background
IMF conditionality review
Note of meeting
Finance
Background
Meeting between the UK IMF Executive Director Alex Gibbs, HM Treasury and UK civil society organisat
Notes of the seminar of spring meetings 2011
Accountability
News
UK reviews of World Bank paint a mixed picture
The UK government's review of multilateral aid endorsed the World Bank, despite identifying major institutional weaknesses.
Conditionality
News
Call for debt audit as IMF austerity fails
As IMF austerity policies fail to solve Greece's debt crisis, activists call for an audit commission. Despite ongoing public protests and increasing challenges from academia, old economic principles continue to guide Fund practices.
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