27 August 2004
BIC is gathering information from various networks on planned actions, seminars, workshops, visiting colleagues, and other relevant details.
This page features: Who's in Town | Accreditation information | Events | Official Agenda
This page was last updated September 29, 2004
As civil society organizations prepare for events surrounding the World Bank/ IMF Annual Meetings (held in Washington, DC, October 2-3, 2004), the Bank Information Center (BIC) is again pulling together information from various networks on planned actions, seminars, workshops, visiting colleagues, and other relevant information. We will regularly post updates to our website and use IFIwatchnet.org to increase awareness of the range of activities planned as well as to improve coordination among civil society groups. If you are a civil society group that would like to receive email updates regarding events and other important announcements, please send a request to Leslie Greene ().
- For further details about accreditation, WB/IMF-sponsored events, and logistical arrangements regarding the Meetings, visit the World Bank Civil Society page
Just launched! IFI Video archive
Eyes on IFIs - The portal to independent videos on the international financial institutions. http://WWW.IFIWATCH.TV
This pilot website launches in October 2004 to coincide with 60th annual meetings. Contact
Who’s coming to Washington?
New! To facilitate NGO coordination and to assist media with finding informed alternative voices on the WB/IMF, a list of civil society individuals who will be participating in related meetings in Washington has been posted to the internet. Visit the IFIwatchnet 'Who's in Town' Web page
You may add your own contact information to this page. Contact Leslie at BIC () if you have difficulties or if you would like to change existing information.
Accreditation
(from the WB website) The Annual Meetings Main Registration Desk, located on the ground floor of the Bank's Main Complex (to the left of the 19th Street entrance), opened at 9:00 am on Monday, September 27 and will remain in operation each day until the close of the Meetings on Sunday, October 3. A Satellite Registration Desk, located in the Potomac Room of the Melrose Hotel (2430 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.), opens at 9:00 am on Wednesday, September 29 and will remain in operation each day until the close of the Meetings on Sunday, October 3.
Participants who have not registered prior to the establishment of the security perimeter (Friday, October 1) will only be able to do so at the Annual Meetings Satellite Registration Desk in the Melrose Hotel (2430 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.).
New: Accreditation badges will now work to get people in to meetings on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday after the meetings, too, so keep your badges if you will attend meetings at the Bank/Fund on these days. If people who do not have accreditation want to attend the civil society dialogues and other events at the Bank on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, they should RSVP to and arrive early to get a pass.
Events
We need your help! We are gathering information about events related to the World Bank and IMF that will be taking place in Washington in the days around October 2-3. Below is a calendar of events posted to www.ifiwatchnet.org. Please contribute information about events you or others are planning:
- Please post all public events to the shared IFIwatchnet.org calendar (instructions on posting events available at: http://www.ifiwatchnet.org/calendar/submit.shtml). IFIwatchnet participants with login access are encouraged to log in to post all events directly.
- Inform BIC about unconfirmed or tentative event details ().
Calendar of events (from ifiwatchnet.org)
Official Agenda of the Annual Meetings
The International Monetary and Financial Committee and the Development Committee will be meeting on Saturday, October 1. The agenda for the Development Committee reportedly includes the following topics:
- Aid effectiveness and financing modalities
- Strengthening foundations for growth and private sector development: investment climate and infrastructure development
- Debt and debt sustainability
- An update on voice and participation of developing and transition countries
- Other business
Meeting notes
As you go to meetings, please consider taking notes for those outside of Washington who are unable to attend. If you are able, please designate a person to write a brief paragraph or bullet points of major outcomes of meetings and strategy sessions. Send these to Leslie Greene () who will then post these summaries to the IFIwatchnet website or circulate more sensitive notes by email.
Media/NGO press pass
This year the World Bank and IMF have discontinued the NGO-Press badge. After civil society responded with strong concern that their voices were being shut out, the WB/IMF issued the following statement explaining arrangements for NGOs and media: http://ifiwatchnet.org/doc/NGOpresspass.pdf