Minutes of Spring meeting with Tom Scholar and UK NGOs in London
Conditionality impacts
Conditionality
News
IMF and World Bank use of conditions under the microscope
Responding to stinging criticism from civil society and the Commission for Africa, the IMF and the Bank are under pressure for a fundamental rethinking of the use of conditionality. The results of a series of ongoing evaluations will be critical.
Trade
News
IFIs on trade: “enormous investment” but to what end?
The World Bank's international trade unit presented a progress report to the board in early March describing an enormous increase in investment in trade-related analysis which it is now looking to translate in to new lending - a serious concern for analysts who feel the Bank and Fund have got it wrong on trade.
Rights
News
Cautious dialogue as conflict over water continues
The deep freeze on communications between the World Bank’s water unit and civil society groups thawed a little at a recent dialogue. A revolt against private sector participation in Bolivia shows just how far there is to go.
Conditionality
News
Bank review of the use of loan conditions takes shape
The scope of a year-long review of the conditions that the Bank attaches to its lending is becoming clearer, but differences with the Fund remain.
Trade
News
Bankspeak of the year 2004
2004 was a bumper year for new acronyms from the masters of the art form. But three new outstanding additions deserve special mention.
Conditionality
News
IMF: you don’t need no education
Research by ActionAid International finds that IMF polices present the biggest obstacle to attaining global goals for education.
Environment
Background
UK NGO meeting with Executive Director Tom Scholar
Uncorrected highlights of a 14 December meeting between UK NGOs and UK Executive Director to the World Bank and IMF, Tom Scholar.
Conditionality
Analysis
The World Bank policy scorecard: The new conditionality?
The World Bank scorecard on borrowing country policies and institutions plays a key role in the allocation of overseas development assistance. Critics argue that the scorecard is a way to coerce borrowers into adopting the Bank's preferred model of economic development.
Social services
News
Fund irate over NGO claims that it blocks progress on AIDS
A report released by NGOs ActionAid, Global AIDS Alliance, Student Global AIDs Campaign and RESULTS Educational Fund charges that IMF fiscal targets limit spending on HIV/AIDS programmes.
Featured briefings
6 April 2022
The Bretton Woods Observer: Spring 2022
8 December 2021
The Bretton Woods Observer: Winter 2021
8 November 2021
IMF surveillance and climate change transition risks
New briefing by ActionAid USA and the Bretton Woods Project highlights research showing that IMF policy advice has undermined a just energy transition since the Paris Agreement was signed.