The Economist (11th December 1999) carried a lengthy article on NGO campaigning on international institutions.
International
WB/IMF roles
News
Demystifying the IMF
Friends of the Earth-US has produced a handbook on the IMF.
Conditionality
News
New participation study
The Institute of Developoment Studies is reviewing participatory approaches to formulating and monitoring poverty reduction strategies.
WB/IMF roles
News
G20 financial group named
A new brick in the financial architecture has been put in place with the disclosure of the members of the group of 20 globally important financial nations, known as the G20.
Rights
News
Useful web bulletins
Bretton Woods Updates are archived on the web. Enter topic names under site search to find articles from back issues, plus more links.
IFI governance
News
Strategic Compact reform funding to end
The extra funding released to restructure the Bank under President Wolfensohn’s “Strategic Compact” reform initiative will run out in March 2000.
Rights
News
Prague 2000
A small group of NGOs has begun to discuss common initiatives towards the World Bank/IMF annual meetings in Prague next September.
Accountability
News
IMF-WB corruption roles investigated
A new report from Christian Aid investigates how the policies of northern donors and international financial institutions encourage corrupt practices in developing countries.
Land
News
Swiss delegation to Brazil
In late November a delegation of Swiss NGOs, parliamentarians and senior aid officials travelled to Brazil to examine recent World Bank lending to that country.
IFI governance
News
Bank private sector strategy
In September the World Bank produced a new private sector development strategy.
Conditionality
News
IMF takes on poverty mandate
Important changes to the IMF’s remit in the poorest countries were announced at the IMF-WB Annual Meetings in September.
Infrastructure
News
Power company controversy after Orissa cyclone
A major beneficiary of World Bank-backed power sector reforms in India is US-based multinational company AES.
