IFI governance

News

Bank builds muscle to deal with crises

The Bank will spend $50m over the next two years recruiting financial sector experts for a new Special Financial Operations unit.

Rights

News

NGO approach debated

In March the Bank Board discussed the Bank’s approach to NGOs.

Conditionality

News

ESAF review: new IMF strategy urged

More flexibility and a new approach was suggested in the external review of the Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (IMF loans to poorer countries) published in March.

Knowledge

News

Faith meets finance

In February World Bank President James Wolfensohn met the leaders of nine religious faiths to discuss views on development.

IFI governance

News

Policing the policemen

The IMF has been urged to be more transparent and accountable by a US Study Group convened by the Centre of Concern, and by the UK Chancellor.

IFI governance

News

Bank reform: what’s new?

In April the Bank’s Board discussed a progress report on the Strategic Compact: Wolfensohn’s reform package agreed one year ago.

Finance

News

Preventing private sector debt crises

In addition to extending the IMF’s role, its governors have been examining measures to prevent future financial sector crises.

Knowledge

News

Stiglitz questions outdated “Washington consensus”

Giving the WIDER annual lecture in Helsinki the World Bank Chief Economist called for a…

Finance

News

Aiding banks or people?

The IMF’s interventions have again raised discussions of who bears the burden of financial crises.

Conditionality

News

Trigger conditions explained

A country assistance strategy (CAS) identifies “high”, “base” and “low” case lending scenarios - which one a country initially receives depends on its economic prospects.

Finance

News

US NGOs battle to stop quota funds

The 50 Years is Enough alliance of NGOs took to Washington’s streets in January to protest about US funding for the IMF and its bailout of the Asian economies.

IFI governance

News

Shaping your country’s future

Bread for the World Institute has produced a guide to advise NGOs and civil society groups on how to influence the World Bank’s Country Assistance Strategies (CASs).