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
Conditionality
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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
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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
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IMF “fun” with Argentina
The Nigerian government has cancelled its IMF programme. IMF spokesperson tests Argentinians’ sense of humour by agreeing that mistakes may be made again in the future. He explained: “that is economics. And that is why it is so much fun”.
Conditionality
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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.
Social services
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Ghanaians contest Bank-backed water privatisation
A broad coalition of organisations is challenging the plan to privatise Ghana’s water system. They complain that the World Bank and IMF-promoted scheme will not extend services to poorer people or ensure fair pricing. The deal - which the IMF has just made part of its new conditions for Ghana - reflects the biases of the consultants which drew it up at a cost of $3million.
Accountability
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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.
Land
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Brown’s “New Deal” suggests enhanced Bank, Fund roles
Gordon Brown’s recent speeches on a “New Deal” for the global economy have been generally welcomed, especially for their suggestions that aid budgets should be increased.
Conditionality
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Divergent views on PRSP progress
A new report compiled from workshops organised by Jubilee South, Focus on the Global South and other southern civil society groups claims structural adjustment logic and policies essentially remain unchanged in PRSPs.
Conditionality
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Bank not living up to promises to dialogue
Two civil society groups have criticised the World Bank for failing to live up to its promise of working more with communities affected by its policies and operations.
