In April the Independent Evaluation Group (IEG), the Bank's arms-length evaluation body, released a critical report assessing Bank operations in East Timor from 2000 to 2010.
Social services
Social services
News
Rehash of failed policies for Arab states?
As revolutionary movements sweep the Arab world, the World Bank and the IMF have taken a lead in international economic engagement in the Middle East and North Africa region. But critics have warned of the dangers of locking transitional governments into long-term loans with economic conditionalities that may perpetuate the flawed development model that contributed to the crisis in the first place.
Finance
Background
IFC's international development goals
IFC staff member discusses plans for goals to guide future work in private sector development.
Accountability
Background
Notes of meeting between UK Executive Director to World Bank and Civil Society Groups
Civil society organisations met UK Executive Director to the World Bank and staff from the Department for International Development to discuss the World Development Report on conflict, security and development; the spring meetings and food security; the World Bank's energy strategy and performance in the health sector.
Accountability
News
UK reviews of World Bank paint a mixed picture
The UK government's review of multilateral aid endorsed the World Bank, despite identifying major institutional weaknesses.
Accountability
News
World Bank launches new Africa strategy
In March, the World Bank launched its new Africa strategy, outlining three main areas in which it will focus its operations: competitiveness and employment, vulnerability and resilience of citizens, and governance and public sector capacity.
Social services
News
World Bank's privatisation approach to social services fails to deliver
While the Bank is developing a new social protection and labour strategy, its approach to health and continuing push for privatisation of public services have come under fire again.
Social services
News
World Bank draft education strategy slated
A number of criticisms of the World Bank's latest draft of its new education strategy emerged before the document was discussed by a committee of the Bank's board in late January.
Rights
News
IMF serious about measuring conditionality impacts?
More criticism emerged of IMF programmes as it begins the process of another conditionality review. Political upheaval in Ireland and continued protests in Greece are focussing attention on the IMF's controversial economic policy advice.
Gender
News
World Bank sexual health investment falls short
The World Bank's Reproductive Health and Action Plan: 2010-2015, which was released in April 2010 recognises that "women's full and equal participation in the development process is contingent on accessing essential [reproductive health] services."
