Minutes from a CAO sponsored event during the 2013 World Bank/IMF annual meetings.
Sub-Saharan Africa
IFI governance
Background
World Bank Group strategy and reform process
Minutes from a World Bank sponsored event on the new World Bank Group strategy during the 2013 WB/IMF annual meetings.
Social services
Background
Is the World Bank serious about engaging CSOs and communities
Minutes from a civil society event on civil society consultations in the health sector at the WB/IMF annual meetings.
Finance
Background
Economic impact of IMF programmes in low-income countries: civil society forum
Notes from a civil society forum on economic impact of IMF programmes in low-income countries, 10 October 2013
Rights
News
Update on the World Bank safeguards review
A July presentation on the safeguards review included parts of a proposed integrated framework and next steps. A July report by Human Rights Watch called on the Bank to ensure it does not contribute to human rights abuses.
Infrastructure
News
World Bank to “lead the way” on infrastructure investment
World Bank president Jim Yong Kim reiterated the Bank’s intentions to develop a global infrastructure facility, while the G20 process on infrastructure continued to focus on PPPs. The G20 accountability report noted failure to address environmental safeguards, and criticism on privatisation in the energy sector was raised by PSIRU.
Land
News
World Bank push for agribusiness in Africa
A World Bank report on land governance has been criticised by NGOs. Meanwhile the Bank pushed ahead with the Benchmarking the Business of Agriculture initiative despite civil society concerns.
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.
Infrastructure
Analysis
World Bank energy directions: going for gas
The World Bank launched a new energy directions paper in July but continues to focus funding on fossil fuels such as natural gas
Environment
Analysis
Foreclosing the future
Drawing on case studies, reports and evaluations, Bruce Rich paints a picture of a Bank still inflicting suffering on vulnerable populations, and calls on Bank president Jim Yong Kim to show real leadership so that the Bank can learn from experience rather than flee from it.
Rights
News
Ethiopia refuses Inspection Panel investigation
Ethiopia has said that it will not cooperate in a proposed investigation by the World Bank's accountability mechanism, the Inspection Panel (IP), into a programme linked to the Bank that according to the indigenous peoples filing the complaint led to "forced villagisation".
Knowledge
News
Education for all?
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.
