Monitoring Policy Making at the United Nations |
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NGOs and the Bretton Woods Institutions
This page analyzes the impact of World Bank funding and "partnerships" with NGOs. It also looks at NGOs' interactions with and reactions to the IMF.
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NGOs | Global Governance and the Three Sisters
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2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | Archived Articles
What Are We For? (September 6, 2001)
Globalization has led to increased poverty, injustice, subordination, anti-solidarity and ecological disasters. New institutions are needed to replace the IMF, the World Bank, and the WTO as they serve strictly the interests of the elite. (ZNet)
A brief analysis by James Paul, Executive Director of GPF, about the relations between the World Bank (and other International Financial Institutions) and NGOs.2007
Accountability in Complex Organizations: World Bank Responses to Civil Society (October 2007)
For decades, NGOs have criticized the World Bank for primarily representing the interests of rich countries and obstructing development in poor countries. This Harvard Business School paper argues that NGO campaigns have succeeded in bringing some accountability to the Bank. For example, citizens can now report World Bank violations of social and environmental safeguards to a complaint mechanism. But, the report calls the reforms “cosmetic” as the Bank has not reformed its core structures and policies.2006
Transparency Begins at Home, WB-IMF Told (September 17, 2006)
Ahead of the 2006 annual meeting of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank in Singapore, a group of NGOs has initiated a campaign to increase accountability in the financial institutions. Aiming to bring the institutions under greater scrutiny, the NGOs’ proposed “global charter” challenges the IMF and World Bank to provide more public access to their documents. Such a move would also legitimize demands for more openness from national governments. (Inter Press Service)UK 'Threat' to World Bank Brings a Little Cheer (September 15, 2006)
The British Department for International Development (DFID) will withhold £50 (US $95) million from the World Bank unless it stops demanding that poor countries privatize public services and liberalize trade as conditions for aid and loans. British NGOs would prefer DFID withhold all money to the Bank, rather than just a tiny fraction of the £1,3 (US $2,4) billion pledged over the next three years. But the NGOs welcome the move as a “partial victory” for their advocacy to have the British government put pressure on the World Bank to change its policy. (Inter Press Service)NGOs Boycott World Bank Meetings (September 14, 2006)
In a show of solidarity with fellow activists barred from entering Singapore, over 80 NGOs have decided to boycott the official IMF-World Bank annual meetings. Despite World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz’s criticism of the ban, the groups lay most of the blame on the financial institutions. NGO representatives charge that the IMF and the World Bank chose Singapore as the venue for the 2006 meetings fully aware of the host government’s restrictive laws against public gatherings. The ban on protests robs NGOs of a powerful tool for opposing policies that will arise at the meetings. (Guardian)IMF-WB Exposed by Ban on NGOs at Singapore Meet (September 9, 2006)
Under alleged pressure from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, Indonesian police have banned grassroots and international NGOs from participating in the International People’s Forum, a conference held parallel to the annual meeting of the financial institutions. Authorities cite security concerns for the ban, after local groups with close ties to business reportedly “expressed fears that the [Forum] will undermine investments on their island.” While criticizing regional governments for putting “business interests” ahead of development, NGO representatives perceive the restriction as a way for the IMF and World Bank to silence their loudest critics. (Inter Press Service)How the World Bank’s Energy Framework Sells the Climate and Poor People Short (September 2006)
Examining the World Bank’s ‘Investment Framework for Clean Energy and Development,’ nine non-governmental organizations reveal that the bank invests US$2-3 billion a year in greenhouse gas-producing fossil fuel projects, yet only five percent of its overall energy financing in renewable energy projects. The bank thereby fails “to reap the double dividend” of fighting both poverty and climate change with locally available renewable energy technologies. “Public funding for fossil fuels is a complete anachronism,” and this report insists on a complete halt to the practice. Countries must redirect energy financing into renewable technologies through an “appropriate multilateral framework,” and not the Western dominated World Bank. (Friends of the Earth)Can We Reform the International Finance Institutions? (August 18, 2006)
Ahead of the September 2006 meetings of the Bretton Woods Institutions (BWIs), this piece from CIVICUS encourages people to join the global mobilization for demanding profound reform of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. With the IMF suffering from a legitimacy and budget crisis “unparalleled in its 62 years of existence,” few question that its current operation must change. The author calls for the BWIs to stop imposing policy conditions that work against the Millennium Development Goals, to start prioritizing labor rights over “investor’s rights,” and to make the governing structures of the institutions more equitable and open.European CSO Open Statement on Governance Reform of the IMF (July 17, 2006)
In anticipation of the September 2006 Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group, more than 35 European NGOs strongly urge their governments to join forces in demanding fundamental reform of IMF governance. The NGOs call for a combination of the present weighted-voting with a one-country one-vote system. They further demand a more open leadership selection that allows for greater geographical diversity in top positions and publication of IMF board meeting transcripts. (Bretton Woods Project)2005
A Call for Participatory Decision Making: World Bank-Civil Society Engagement (April 14, 2005)
While the World Bank expresses its commitment to civil society engagement, this paper points out that many NGOs see the institution's conduct as nothing more than a public relations exercise. This paper proposes a framework for ensuring effective NGO participation in all stages of decision-making, and includes a set of recommendations for improving general Bank practices. It seems unlikely, however, that the World Bank will change its course and address these NGO recommendations. (Civil Society Members of World Bank-Civil Society Joint Facilitation Committee)Should Civil Society Engage With World Governing Institutions? (February 17, 2005)
Engagement between NGOs and local, national and international institutions ranges from conscious non-participation to active advocacy, and NGOs must respect what methods their colleagues choose, says head CIVICUS officer Kumi Naidoo. In this appeal, Naidoo outlines his organization’s push for participation at the World Bank and asks other NGOs to join the calls for transparency and accountability at all political levels. (Pambazuka)2004
World Bank Delays NGO Consultations (November 5, 2004)
“Civil society groups” boycotted several consultation meetings on the World Bank’s social and environmental policies for lending because they see the meetings as simply a “public relations exercise.” NGOs say the Bank’s financial actions should uphold international law, and they hope the Bank will set a precedent by withholding funding from companies with bad environmental and social records. (Inter Press Service)Groups See Hope for Debt Cancellation for Poorest Countries in Upcoming Meeting (September 22, 2004)
The Group of Seven (G-7), the world's wealthiest governments, will meet to decide whether to back a joint British-US proposal of total debt cancellation 33 of the world’s poorest countries. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) welcome this initiative but urge caution, stating that the debt elimination initiative might imply less aid money for poor nations. (One World)ECOSOC/BWI Meeting: Joint NGO Statement (April 26, 2004)
Addressing the 2004 High Level ECOSOC Meeting with the Bretton Woods institutions and the WTO, NGOs called on strengthening the Financing for Development process by giving it a firm intergovernmental framework and strengthening its secretariat. NGOs also called for more decision making power in these institutions. (Third World Network)Rethinking Participation (April 2004)
This ActionAid report documents how NGOs, participating in government-led consultations for Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers, have no power to change the economic policy reforms required by the IMF and World Bank as mandatory loan conditions. The report calls on NGOs to consider other formats such as civil forums for advocating alternative development policies.2003
Eurodad Annual Conference Report (2003)
Eurodad presents the report from its Annual Conference and General Assembly held in Prague in December 2003. The failure of “new development agenda” initiatives including PRSPs and MDGs to live up to their standards, prompted the Conference to aim for a fresh perspective on tackling poverty.Reducing Poverty or Repeating Mistakes? (December 18, 2003)
In 1999, the World Bank invented the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) to replace its increasingly criticized Structural Adjustment Programs. Yet, this report argues that both mechanisms generate the same neo-liberal policy contents, such as privatization and liberalization, instead of focusing on equity issues and poverty reduction. (People Participating in Poverty Reduction)Between Grassroots and Governments (September 2003)
This report by the Danish Institute for International Studies examines the challenges facing international NGOs and civil society organizations (CS) seeking to identify national and local priorities for poverty eradication. The report criticizes international NGO and CS lobbying efforts directed at governments and international institutions, arguing that these efforts fail to support local civil society initiatives.PRSP’s: ‘Political Space’ at Whose Expense? (September 12, 2003)
The World Bank’s Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers allowed NGOs to participate in the formulation of public policies. This article from the Bretton Woods Project argues, however, that this procedure benefits large international NGOs rather than local actors, hindering the possibility of “deepening democratic oversight.”The Myths and Dangers of PRSPs (September 8, 2003)
This article calls on Northern NGOs to view Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSP) with a critical eye. The author argues that some Northern NGOs fell for IMF and World Bank propaganda and forced their Southern partners to participate in the PRSP process. (Bretton Woods Project)US Blocks Stronger African Voice at World Bank - NGO (June 26, 2003)
US executive minister to the World Bank Carol Brookins attempted to halt reforms giving African countries greater voting power. “This example of a large country throwing its weight about in global institutions shows precisely why reforms are needed.'' (Inter Press Service)More Bad News for Small Farmers (June 2003)
International financial institutions (IFIs) push for greater cooperation between developing countries and the WTO. To respond to the increased influence of IFIs on the trade policies of their borrowing countries, NGOs must adapt by finding strategies that similarly link trade and finance. (MIJARC News)Civil Society Lags as Economic Gurus March on Mideast (May 19, 2003)
International financial institutions (IFIs) have increased their economic initiatives in the Middle East, following Washington's plan to transform Iraq into a free-market model for the region. NGOs have been slow to respond, raising concerns that the region may become an “unmonitored corporate playfield.” (Inter Press Service)IMF, World Bank Join Forces with WTO (May 12, 2003)
Senior officials of the IMF, World Bank and WTO will meet in Geneva to synchronize their policies on developing nations. NGOs are concerned that the common agenda will make trade and development policy more inflexible, entrenching the organizations one-sided approach to development and widening the gap between the rich and poor. (Inter Press Service)Rich Nations Continue to Wield Power in Global Bodies (May 6, 2003)
NGOs point out the undemocratic governance structures of the UN, WTO, IMF and World Bank. Despite professing to create an equitable global community, these institutions concentrate power among world’s richest nations. (Inter Press Service)World Bank Supports Community-Driven Development in Bangladesh (March 18, 2003)
The World Bank approves $18.2 million credit for a project to help poor and vulnerable groups in Bangladesh increase their ownership of local development initiatives. The project is largely a result of an NGO campaign, empowering women and the impoverished to become more self sufficient. (World Bank)A Civil Discourse (February 11, 2003)
Civil society leader Dr. Kumi Naidoo stresses inherent contradictions in globalization during his speech at the World Bank's Presidential Fellows Lecture Series in Washington. Dr Naidoo also called for the World Bank’s decision making process to become more transparent, allowing more input from civil society. (OneWorld)Open Statement on Steps to Democratize the World Bank and IMF (January 2003)
This statement circulated by NGOs proposes structural reforms of the World Bank and IMF. The reforms include rebalancing board composition and making the institutions more transparent to allow public scrutiny. (Bretton Woods Project)Choosing a Better World (January 22, 2003)
In reference to the upcoming World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil, World Bank President James Wolfensohn commends civil society for helping to shift Bank policy and world consensus on sustainable development, transparency, and accountability. Co-opting the rhetoric of the global justice movement, he calls for “a global system based on equity, human rights and social justice.” (Inter Press Service)2002
The World Bank Defends its Record on Human Rights (November 2002)
Human Rights NGOs criticize the World Bank for lending to governments that commit human rights abuses against their citizens. World Bank officials respond by pointing out that the institution’s articles of agreement forbid political interference in the domestic affairs of member governments. (Advocacy Project)Should Government Take IMF Seriously? (November 25, 2002)
This article from the Chronicle Newspaper in Malawi reveals the complex relationships the IMF can produce with, and between, recipient country governments and civil society. Malawian civil society blasts the government for taking their criticism seriously only when the IMF agrees.Real Impact of New Poverty Analysis Uncertain (November/December 2002)
Under pressure from NGOs, the World Bank and IMF have agreed to introduce Poverty and Social Impact Analyses (PSIA) for loan proposals. However, pilot PSIAs have focused more on tweaking already existing policies than on alternative options and have been carried out with only minimal consultation with civil society groups. (Bretton Woods Project)World Bank/IMF Meetings: 1-2 October 2002 (October 2002)
At the World Bank/IMF meetings in October, NGOs voiced their concerns about issues such as the institutions’ endorsement of WTO trade liberalization and the slow move to implement a rights-based approach to development. (BOND)World Bank Pushed to Open Up TNC Arbitration Process (September 2, 2002)
NGOs demand public access to the World Bank Group “secret trade court” that will rule on a dispute between Bolivia and an American transnational water company. (Bretton Woods Project)Chop Agricultural Subsidies, Say World Bank and NGOs (August 27, 2002)
NGOs join the World Bank in saying that the $1 billion per day in agricultural subsidies are one of the main causes of the food crisis in southern Africa. (Inter Press Service)Thailand - Activists Wary of 'Green' Offer from Rich (August 20, 2002)
NGOs are concerned that a World Bank offer of $8 million to fund a privately built biomass project is actually “a way for developed countries to dodge binding commitments to cut greenhouse gases” by earning carbon credits without making internal reforms. (Inter Press Service)'G8, IMF, World Bank Are the Source of Problems' (June 28, 2002)
Women for Change, an African NGO, accuses the IMF, World Bank and G8, of causing African countries’ problems, claiming that “NEPAD was based on the same development and economic model […]that has been in place for the last 20 years, with catastrophic effects. (allAfrica)IMF Accused of Role in Malawi Famine (June 14, 2002)
NGOs accuse the IMF of causing famine and death in Malawi. They hold the Fund responsible for creating “the commercial debt that the government sought to pay off with proceeds of the grain sale.” (One World)World Spank (June 07, 2002)
“When World Bank president James Wolfensohn gives MIT’s commencement address, he will face not only street protesters, but a city that is formally boycotting purchase of the bank’s bonds.” (Boston Phoenix)World Bank Chief, NGOs Wrangle Over Access (April 20, 2002)
The World Bank attempts to deflect criticism over its failure to adequately consult civil society by claiming that national governments insist “unaccountable groups” should not be involved in negotiations at the international level. (Inter Press Service)Archived Articles
Links
Structural Adjustment Participatory Review International Network (SAPRIN)
SAPRIN is a worldwide network of NGOs that oppose structural adjustment programs. It works with the World Bank and citizens' groups in 12-15 countries to determine the impact of World Bank's programs.Bretton Woods Project
Bretton Woods Project was established by a network of UK NGOs to monitor the World Bank and IMF. The Project's reports and bimonthly bulletin aim to clarify current issues and provide links to campaigners and researchers worldwide.CEE Bankwatch Network
"The CEE Bankwatch Network's mission is to prevent environmentally and socially harmful impacts of international development finance, and to promote alternative solutions and public participation."
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