In early 2011 the World Bank will approve a new education sector strategy amid trends that mean that international goals on education will not be met. Zoe Godolphin of the University of Bristol argues that the Bank’s proposed approach fails conceptually because it does not accept that education is a human right. It also fails pragmatically because it continues to advocate a template approach instead of supporting genuinely country-driven priorities in education planning.
Social services
Accountability
Analysis
Conference summary: Private Sector Turn
On November 22nd 2010, CounterBalance and the Bretton Woods Project hosted a conference in London on "The Private Sector Turn" - the increasing shift from public to private funding in development finance, the forms it takes and what it means for activists and affected people. What follows is a summary of the day's proceedings.
Accountability
Analysis
Submission to the International Development Committee of the UK parliament: inquiry into the World B
The UK should not increase its contribution to IDA in the current replenishment. Instead, it should focus on achieving substantial reforms of the World Bank and IFC in key areas, including health, gender, climate and energy, and the private sector, and in radically improving the legitimacy, transparency and accountability of the institution.
Conditionality
Background
Civil Society Townhall Meeting with Robert Zoellick and Dominique Strauss-Kahn
Notes of the seminar of annual meetings 2010
Accountability
Background
Meeting on the World Bank between DFID and UK NGOs
Notes of a meeting between UK civil society and DFID staff.
Land
News
UK reviews World Bank, multilateral aid
In June the new UK coalition government announced a hasty review of its funding to multilaterals, including the World Bank Group.
Infrastructure
News
World Bank assesses water strategy, faces barrage of criticism
In September, the Bank released a progress report on the implementation of its 2003 water resources strategy, while criticism mounts over its hydropower lending, water resource management and support for private sector provision.
Social services
News
IFIs sceptical of rating agencies
Doubt about private credit rating agencies' assessments have grown since 2008 and are being echoed by World Bank president Zoellick.
Accountability
News
Gender-blindness and conditionality cast shadow over record World Bank lending
New evidence of worsening gender performance and persistent conditionality has led critics to ask if the Bank is fit for purpose.
Conditionality
News
Jamaica: IMF halts school construction
Newspaper Jamaica Gleaner reported in early September that the country’s IMF programme has slowed the building of new schools.
