Malawi Economic Justice Network Civil Society Briefing Issue 16
PRSP
Conditionality
Background
The Ugandan PRSP Experience
Meeting with Rick Rowden, RESULTS, 31 May 2002
Conditionality
News
Poverty Reduction Strategies under intense scrutiny
Studies from Malawi, Ethiopia, Uganda and Cambodia fault the PRSP process for failing to provide space for a real debate of policy alternatives, and for a lack of transparency and accountability.
Accountability
News
Trade policy training challenged, but donors commit more funds
The heads of six major international institutions met to discuss their roles in trade policy formulation. They agreed that the World Bank should play a “lead role”, ensuring that trade policy reform is a major part of PRSPs. NGOs released a statement of concern about official approaches to trade policy capacity building, but donors allocated more money.
Conditionality
News
Empowerment agenda “a special challenge”
Two new World Bank studies express doubts about the extent of its work on participation and empowerment. A study of participation in PRSPs finds that the range of civil society groups and of government ministries is unsatisfactory. In another study the Bank agrees that its new “empowerment” agenda is a special challenge.
Conditionality
News
Limitations of Asian PRSPs revealed
Asian NGOs recently commented on the problems they face with PRSP processes in their region. A Focus on the Global South study questions achievements in Lao PDR, Cambodia and Vietnam while Bangladeshi organisations have mounted a challenge to the process in their country. See also:
Conditionality
News
WB study questions breadth and impact of PRSP participation
Two new World Bank studies express doubts about the extent of its work on participation and empowerment. A study of participation in PRSPs finds that the range of civil society groups and of government ministries is unsatisfactory. In another study the Bank agrees that its new “empowerment” agenda is a special challenge.
Conditionality
News
New report on Bolivian PRSP
Christian Aid, in collaboration with a number of Bolivian civil society groups, has produced a new report examining the quality of participation in the Bolivian Poverty Reduction Strategy process.
Conditionality
News
Letter on PRSP process complaints
A number of civil society organisations involved in the official review of the Poverty Reduction Strategy process, wrote a joint letter to the IMF and the Bank in late January.
Rights
News
New Oxfam guide to PRSPs
Oxfam International has published a guide for groups wanting to do work around Poverty Reduction Strategy processes in their countries.
