In early 2011 the World Bank will approve a new education sector strategy amid trends that mean that international goals on education will not be met. Zoe Godolphin of the University of Bristol argues that the Bank’s proposed approach fails conceptually because it does not accept that education is a human right. It also fails pragmatically because it continues to advocate a template approach instead of supporting genuinely country-driven priorities in education planning.
Human rights
Rights
News
Papua New Guinea: Fears about SEZ
The International Financial Corporation's (IFC) proposal to establish a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has caused concerns within the country.
Rights
News
World Bank programmes linked to political repression
A mid October report by international NGO Human Rights Watch (HRW), documents how World Bank projects in Ethiopia are being used by the government to repress dissent and weaken political opposition, reinforcing criticisms of Bank funding to countries with widespread reports of human rights abuses.
Accountability
Analysis
Submission to the International Development Committee of the UK parliament: inquiry into the World B
The UK should not increase its contribution to IDA in the current replenishment. Instead, it should focus on achieving substantial reforms of the World Bank and IFC in key areas, including health, gender, climate and energy, and the private sector, and in radically improving the legitimacy, transparency and accountability of the institution.
Accountability
Background
Meeting on the World Bank between DFID and UK NGOs
Notes of a meeting between UK civil society and DFID staff.
Rights
News
Palmed off: World Bank's palm oil framework 'business as usual' despite environmental and rights con
The World Bank’s draft framework for investment in the palm oil sector was met with dismay from civil society groups, who said that it failed to offer a credible strategy to address manifold social and environmental problems.
Environment
News
Undermining development? IFIs' role in extractive industries in disarray
Ongoing mining projects’ impacts on rights, gender and the environment suggest a new approach to the sector is needed, as the IMF and World Bank dole out contradictory advice on mining revenues.
Rights
News
Call for IFC performance standards delay to strengthen rights
Civil society organisations are calling for the extension of the schedule of the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC, the Bank’s private sector arm) consultation on its performance standards to allow opportunity for human rights and other controversial issues such as climate to be incorporated.
Accountability
Analysis
Submission on the World Bank and IFC to DFID's multilateral aid review
As the UK government reviews its funding and relationships with multilateral organisations, we argue that the World Bank Group's poor performance, lack of country ownership and accountability, and tendency to 'mission creep', require a focus on institutional and policy change at the Bank, and no increase in funding.
Rights
News
FMI: Amenazado el crecimiento palestino
El FMI está preparando un informe para defender su posición afirmando que no será posible sostener el 6.8 por ciento de tasa de crecimiento en Cisjordania si Israel no levanta sus restricciones sobre las inversiones palestinas públicas y privadas.
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.