World Bank president, Jim Yong Kim has put global education on his priority list, however major ideological differences are emerging between education coalitions about whether this should be delivered through a private or public model.
Human rights
Accountability
News
5-star development
Controversial IFC investments in tourism and infrastructure projects continue to cause friction with local communities, prompting a new complaint to the Compliance Advisor/Ombudsman.
Accountability
Background
Bending the arc of poverty
The session focused on the World Bank's development strategy, poverty eradication goals, global inequality, and the threat of climate change.
Accountability
Background
Financial and housing crises, the Bank's safeguards and the right to adequate housing
This session featured a presentation from UN special rapporteur on the links between financial and housing crises, safeguards and the right to adequate housing.
IFI governance
Background
From the Arab revolutions to global austerity trends
This session examined issues thrown up by the Arab revolutions, including the fiscal, monetary, tax and investment policies being considered by governments facilitating, or hindering countries in the Arab and other regions in building an inclusive economy and supporting socioeconomic recovery, the impact on public expenditure for the strengthening of education, health, and other social sectors as well as the management of chronic and high unemployment and high food and fuel prices.
IFI governance
News
BRICS challenge IFIs
Large middle-income countries jointly initiated alternatives to the World Bank and IMF in March, but advocates are not satisfied with either set of institutions. While challenge to the IMF has been welcomed, civil society actors fear that a new development bank would serve "vested interests" and could lead to "exploitation".
Rights
News
Safeguards: World Bank urged to incorporate human rights commitments "in all of its activities"
As the consultations on the World Bank's safeguards review progress, indigenous peoples groups and NGOs raised concerns over the process. There were also increased calls for the Bank to respect human rights in its policies, including a report from a UN Special Rapporteur.
Accountability
News
IFC Honduran client linked to death squads
The International Finance Corporation (IFC, the Bank's private sector arm) loan to Honduran palm oil producer Corporaci
Infrastructure
News
Resettlement concerns in China
Tens of thousands of people in China are facing resettlement as a result of flood management, lake basin and urban infrastructure projects approved for World Bank funding in late March.
Accountability
Background
UK Civil Society Meeting with Minister of State Rt Hon Alan Duncan MP
This was a meeting on 1 October 2012, between the Minister of State of the UK's Department for International Development (DFID) and civil society representatives, focusing on the World Bank.
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.