As academia and NGOs call for reform of the international financial architecture, the international monetary system is the focus of scrutiny. Support for capital controls and a financial transaction tax has met resistance from the IMF.
Western Europe
Conditionality
Analysis
IMF lending programmes: old wolf in sheep's clothing?
The debate over IMF conditionality heats up as data comes in about IMF programmes; economic turmoil continues in countries such as Latvia and Ukraine, which face stern IMF demands.
Finance
News
Conference: Recovery towards what? Finance, justice, sustainability
Recovery towards what? Finance, justice, sustainability is an exciting and timely one-day conference on 6 November in London on all aspects of global finance and its role in both developed and developing countries. It brings together experts, researchers, practitioners and civil society to discuss how to reshape finance so that it contributes to a just and sustainable economy.
Accountability
Background
Videoconference between UK civil society and Alex Gibbs, UK IMF Executive Director
Minutes of a meeting between UK civil society, UK IMF Executive Director Alex Gibbs, and UK Treasury staff
Environment
Background
Meeting on the World Bank between UK NGOs and Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for Internationa
Minutes of a meeting between Douglas Alexander, Secretary of State for International Development, and UK NGOs, 16 September 2009
IFI governance
News
G20 versus UN: the battle continues
The future of international economic governance and financial reform is still being debated separately at the United Nations and the G20, but little progress is being made.
Finance
Analysis
IMF conditions stoke controversy, prompt strikes
The IMF's loans across Europe, from Iceland to Romania are stoking deep controversy and protest. Resistance is building from civil society aganist the austerity benig imposed.
Trade
News
IFC deceptions on Doing Business
Excitement caused by the International Finance Corporation
News
Job openings with the Project
The Bretton Woods Project is looking for two research assistants, one focussed on promoting the fundamental financial changes needed in response to the financial and economic crisis, and the other focussed on reform of the World Bank, related to climate finance, human rights, governance, and private sector development.
IFI governance
News
Delivering the insufficient?
Despite spin doctoring that called it a triumph for cracking down on banking bonuses, the G20 finance ministers’ statement in early September produced an accounting for how the G20 met or did not meet existing promises and little new agreement. Once again the UK government excluded critical civil society from the discussions.
Infrastructure
News
Are we nearly there? Building future climate finance architecture
On September 8, 2009, representatives from UK NGOs met with officials from DFID, DECC and Treasury to discuss climate finance issues using "Are we Nearly There? Bridging UK supported funds and a post 2012 climate architecture", a report prepared by members of Bond's Development and Environment Group and the Bretton Woods Project as a point of departure.
Finance
Commentary
UK continues to exclude NGOs from G20 discussions
The Jubilee Debt Campaign and Bretton Woods Projects, NGOs that are part of the Put People First platform, had their accreditation for the G20 finance ministers’ meeting revoked by HM Treasury. The UK also barred two members of Put People First from attending the G20 London Summit in April with little notice.
