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    <title>BIC Updates: IFI Governance</title>
    <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Issue.5.aspx</link>
    <description>The latest news on IFI Governance from the Bank Information Center</description>
    <ttl>10</ttl>
    <image>
      <url>http://www.infodev.org/images/infodev.gif</url>
      <title>infoDev</title>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Issue.5.aspx</link>
    </image>
    <item>
      <title>Amid food riots and shaken governments IFIs scramble to develop a coherent response</title>
      <description>Skyrocketing food prices have forced the international financial institutions (IFIs) to articulate responses to the situation. The World Bank has conjured a "New Deal for Global Food Policy" to pump agriculture-oriented loans and programs into Africa and to address emergency financing needs. The IMF has voiced concern over the likely macroeconomic shocks of the food crisis in low-income countries. But the Bretton Woods Institutions must wrestle with a legacy that helped set the stage for diminished food security in many low-income countries.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3763.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2008 10:31:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3763.aspx</guid>
    </item>
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      <title>IMF chief economist resigns</title>
      <description>Less than a week after 591 employees at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) opted to take a buyout package, the IMF’s chief economist announced his resignation.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3761.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 07 May 2008 16:25:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3761.aspx</guid>
    </item>
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      <title>Exodus at the IMF  </title>
      <description>As the International Monetary Fund (IMF) continues to face escalating deficits and a crisis of credibility, almost a quarter of its 2,400 full-time staff in Washington, D.C. have voluntarily applied for resignations. At the same time, the Board of Governors of the IMF has approved the proposed quota and voice reforms with a 92% majority vote.

 
</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3747.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3747.aspx</guid>
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      <title>ADB and U.S. at odds on policies</title>
      <description>While the U.S. remains committed to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and its mission of reducing poverty in Asia, objections to the Bank's lending policies and its function are causing concerns that U.S. funding commitments could be cut because of the dispute.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3741.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:01:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3741.aspx</guid>
    </item>
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      <title>Projecto Conjunto Bretton Woods Actualizacion #60</title>
      <description>Lea la edición especial de la Actualización de Bretton Woods, coproducida por Afrodad, Bank Information Center, Choike y Eurodad. Esta edición esta disponible también en ingles.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3733.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2008 10:41:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3733.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Joint Bretton Woods Project Update # 60</title>
      <description>Read the special Spring Meetings edition of the Bretton Woods Update, co-produced with Afrodad, Bank Information Center, Choike, and Eurodad. The issue is also available in Spanish.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3724.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2008 20:18:31 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3724.aspx</guid>
    </item>
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      <title>Struggle over succession at the EBRD</title>
      <description>A struggle over selecting the successor to the President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has divided donor and recipient countries in a manner that is reminiscent of the recent debates over succession at the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3705.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Mar 2008 10:28:29 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3705.aspx</guid>
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      <title>World Bank General Counsel resigns</title>
      <description>World Bank Group General Counsel Ana Palacio is resigning her position, effective April 15, further diminishing former World Bank president, Paul Wolfowitz's legacy.
</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3697.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:21:57 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3697.aspx</guid>
    </item>
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      <title>High-level panel issues report on prospects for African Development Bank</title>
      <description>Panel's suggestions include merging of the African Development Fund (ADF) with the African Development Bank (ADB), and eliminating the performance-based allocation (PBA) system.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3677.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 15 Feb 2008 10:37:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3677.aspx</guid>
    </item>
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      <title>Iraq renews $744 million loan from the IMF</title>
      <description>Iraq’s renewed Stand-By Arrangement with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) includes macroeconomic policy reforms that may restrict fiscal space for public spending, particularly on the public wage bill. It also continues the deep involvement of international financial institutions in Iraq’s oil sector.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3671.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 13 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3671.aspx</guid>
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      <title>China's Lin named chief economist of World Bank</title>
      <description>World Bank hopes leading academic's appointment will help strengthen ties with China.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3668.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 2008 16:50:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3668.aspx</guid>
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      <title> Zoellick commits to expanding Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative</title>
      <description>Addressing the African Union Summit on Thursday, January 31, 2008, World Bank President Zoellick committed to expanding the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI).</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3667.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 2008 15:11:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3667.aspx</guid>
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      <title>IMF attempts to fix its problems through ambitious work program for early 2008</title>
      <description>Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn attempts to fix the IMF’s fractured legitimacy and financial fiasco through an ambitious, opaque, and inaccessible "Interim Work Program."  </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3664.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3664.aspx</guid>
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      <title>World Bank to implement Volcker panel recommendations</title>
      <description>Following the resignation of Suzanne Rich-Folsom, the previous head of the World Bank's anti-corruption unit and the embarrassing revelations of extensive fraud in several of its health projects in India, the World Bank announced on January 23, 2008 that it would implement all the recommendations of the Volcker Panel Review.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3657.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:00:07 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3657.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Donors demand overhaul at the ADB</title>
      <description>Leading donors to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) have demanded that the institution overhaul its staffing and oversight procedures.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3655.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 24 Jan 2008 11:57:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3655.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Ecuador rejects ICSID arbitration over extractive industry disputes</title>
      <description>Ecuador's actions are part of a wider dissatisfaction among some Central and South American countries with international investment law and particularly its dispute settlement regime.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3629.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 17 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3629.aspx</guid>
    </item>
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      <title>Lanzamiento de Banco del Sur</title>
      <description>Siete líderes de Sudamérica lanzaron el domingo el Banco del Sur, promoviéndolo  como la alternativa del continente a las entidades prestamistas que tiene el apoyo de EE.UU.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3617.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2007 16:03:40 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3617.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Bank of the South launched</title>
      <description>Seven South American leaders launched the Bank of the South (Banco del Sur) on Sunday, touting it as the continent's alternative to U.S.-backed lenders. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3614.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 10 Dec 2007 14:20:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3614.aspx</guid>
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      <title>IMF to cut staff by 15%</title>
      <description>In an exclusive interview with the Wall Street Journal, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, the new Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reveals plans for significant layoffs at the institution, by as many as 300-400 jobs.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3607.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Dec 2007 10:11:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3607.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Banco del Sur</title>
      <description>Ocho países inaugurarán el Banco del Sur este próximo Diciembre del 2007. El Banco del Sur representa un elemento clave en la renovación integral de la arquitectura regional financiera que ha dependido hasta ahora en los bancos del Norte. Lea el nuevo artículo de Vince McElhinny acerca del Banco del Sur y su significado para América Latina y la relevancia de las instituciones financieras internacionales en la región.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3587.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:26:06 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3587.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Bank of the South</title>
      <description>Eight countries are planning to inaugurate the Bank of the South in December 2007. The Bank of the South represents the cornerstone to a more wholesale renovation of the regional financial architecture long dependent on Northern banks. Read Vince McElhinny's new info brief on the Bank of the South and what it means for Latin America, and the continued relevance of the international financial institutions for the region.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3573.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:58:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3573.aspx</guid>
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      <title>People's tribunal in Bangladesh announced</title>
      <description>A people's tribunal against the World Bank, International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank was announced in Dhaka, Bangladesh yesterday, hours before World Bank President, Robert Zoellick's arrival in the country.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3559.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 05 Nov 2007 16:34:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3559.aspx</guid>
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      <title>CSOs draft open letter to Bank of the South members</title>
      <description>On November 1, Jubilee South and other civil society organizations unveiled an open letter to the presidents of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and Venezuela calling for a sovereign, supportive, sustainable and integrated Bank of the South.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3557.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3557.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Organizaciones de sociedad civil presenta segunda carta sobre el Banco del Sur</title>
      <description>Jubileo Sur y otras organizaciones de sociedad civil entregarán la carta a los presidentes de Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Uruguay y Venezuela, los probables firmantes de la creación del Banco. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3558.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3558.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Changing of the guard at the IMF</title>
      <description>Dominique Strauss-Kahn, former Finance Minister of France, takes over as the new Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) on November 1. DSK, as he is generally known, inherits an institution experiencing crises of legitimacy, identity, and solvency, yet is unlikely to implement real changes at the institution.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3554.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 Oct 2007 17:49:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3554.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Como ser relevante en América Latina: lo último en la realineación del BID</title>
      <description>Si hay algo que se puede decir de Luis Alberto Moreno es que no pierde el tiempo. Nombrado cuarto presidente del Banco Interamericano de Desarrollo en el 2005, durante su primera reunión anual hace apenas un año anunció que el BID tomaría un nuevo papel en América Latina. Lea el artículo analítico de Vince McElhinny sobre el proceso de realineación, sus componentes y preocupaciones.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3542.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 18 Oct 2007 12:48:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3542.aspx</guid>
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      <title>The International (European) Monetary Fund?</title>
      <description>As yet another top post at the International Monetary Fund goes to a European, critics question the institution's committment to increasing the voice and representation of developing country constituencies in the Fund.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3528.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:51:38 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3528.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Zoellick overhauls top management</title>
      <description>World Bank President Robert Zoellick has named former Nigerian Finance Minister, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, as a new managing director of the Bank, effective December 1, 2007.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3522.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:50:47 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3522.aspx</guid>
    </item>
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      <title>Is the IMF's role in low-income countries conducive to reducing poverty?</title>
      <description>Controversial both inside and outside the institution, the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) strategy in low-income countries was debated at a recent panel that questioned whether or not the IMF should exit low-income countries.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3518.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3518.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Kazakhstan Country Update #15</title>
      <description>Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Kazakhstan.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3500.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2007 10:24:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3500.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Azerbaijan Country Update #13</title>
      <description>Recent developments, decisions, and civil society activities related to activities of the International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in Azerbaijan.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3499.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 24 Sep 2007 09:57:10 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3499.aspx</guid>
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      <title>UN adopts Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples</title>
      <description>On September 13th, after over 20 years of negotiations, the United Nations General Assembly finally adopted the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The international declaration sets a higher standard for international financial institutions (IFIs) to ensure safeguards and strengthen their policies on indigenous peoples.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3495.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:34:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3495.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Volcker report finds Bank ineffective in addressing corruption</title>
      <description>A review of the World Bank's Department of Institutional Integrity and its Governance and Anti-corruption strategy finds that weak management, employee resistance and internal distrust is contributing to the Bank's ineffectiveness in combating corruption in its operations.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3488.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 14 Sep 2007 01:45:59 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3488.aspx</guid>
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      <title>U.K. backs Strauss-Kahn and Europe assures reforms, while developing countries cry foul</title>
      <description>The U.K. confirms its support of the EU nominee Dominique Strauss-Kahn for the leadership of the IMF; Luxembourg's prime minister assures a non-European leader in the future; and emerging countries such as India call out for real reform of governance in the IMF.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3483.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:22:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3483.aspx</guid>
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      <title>GAP details serious issues with World Bank's anti-corruption unit</title>
      <description>In a report released today, the Government Accountabilty Project finds that the World Bank's Department of Institutional Integrity is undermined by a conflict of interest at its top ranks and serious, long-term problems.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3480.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 06 Sep 2007 17:10:13 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3480.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Journalists confirm Wolfowitz censored "climate change"</title>
      <description>Journalists confirmed that former World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, personally intervened in removing the words "climate change" from Bank progress reports, and that it may be years before the World Bank considers greenhouse gas emissions in its projects.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3468.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:29:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3468.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Independent evaluation finds over 40% of IFC projects fail to deliver development results</title>
      <description>The Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), found that 41% of the IFC projects studied had low development ratings. IFC performed particularly poorly in Africa and Asia, where only half of its projects had positive development outcomes. In Africa, the quality of IFC work was particularly poor, rated as “high” in only 45% of projects, as compared to 68% in other regions.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3466.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:21:41 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3466.aspx</guid>
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      <title>IMF head selection process: Russia crashes western Europe’s party</title>
      <description>While western European countries continue to assert naming rights to run the IMF, Russia makes a surprise nomination.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3469.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3469.aspx</guid>
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      <title>ADB's Energy Strategy must adhere to international standards</title>
      <description>The Asian Development Bank has completed the consultation process on its draft Energy Strategy. Civil society organizations from throughout the region have called on the ADB to incorporate current international best practices in sector, and at minimum to adopt the principles of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3461.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:54:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3461.aspx</guid>
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      <title>U.S. backs Strauss-Kahn to lead IMF</title>
      <description>The U.S. backing of Dominique Strauss-Kahn will likely confirm his nomination to head the IMF, continuing the "old boy's club" tradition.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3452.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 26 Jul 2007 17:12:28 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3452.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Where will Zoellick steer the World Bank?</title>
      <description>The new World Bank President spoke of middle income countries, good governance and the need to diversify services at a town hall meeting earlier this month.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3447.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:44:39 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3447.aspx</guid>
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      <title>How to become relevant in Latin America: the latest on the IDB realignment</title>
      <description>Whatever else you might say of him, Luis Alberto Moreno does not waste time. Named fourth president of the Inter-American Development Bank in 2005, he announced IDB would remake its role in Latin America at his first annual meeting just one year later. Read Vince McElhinny's new policy brief on the realignment process, components and concerns.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3440.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 18 Jul 2007 15:52:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3440.aspx</guid>
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      <title>EU rushes to cement hold on IMF leadership post</title>
      <description>European countries are rushing to protect their patronage rights to name the head of the IMF after Rodrigo Rato's surprise resignation announcment just two weeks ago.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3434.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 10 Jul 2007 10:34:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3434.aspx</guid>
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      <title>IMF leadership selection process: time for reform, or more of the same?</title>
      <description>Will the International Monetary Fund learn from the recent World Bank crisis, and reform the outdated process through which European countries basically appoint the Managing Director?  </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3430.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Sun, 08 Jul 2007 22:38:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3430.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Zoellick officially selected as next World Bank President</title>
      <description>The Executive Directors of the World Bank unanimously selected Robert B. Zoellick to succeed Mr. Wolfowitz, effective July 1, 2007, as the 11th President of the Bank for a five-year term.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3414.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 25 Jun 2007 15:02:56 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3414.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Deadline for nominating candidates for World Bank presidency passes</title>
      <description>Despite all the public outcry about the flaws in the World Bank's governance and the need for an open, democratic, and merit-based process for the selection of the next World Bank President, NOT A SINGLE COUNTRY proposed an alternate candidate to the US's pick for the job, allowing the US to continue its grip on the leadership of the institution. The Board is expected to confirm the Bush administration's choice for the job - Robert Zoellick - by the end of June...</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3400.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Jun 2007 10:02:24 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3400.aspx</guid>
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      <title>US picks its winner for one-horse race to head World Bank; other countries must step up to the gate</title>
      <description>The White House’s announcement that it will nominate former US Trade Representative Robert Zoellick to be the next World Bank President, and the widespread assumption that the choice is a fait accompli, serve as a reminder that the lessons of the Wolfowitz scandal have yet to be learned. Read BIC's May 31 Press Release on the Zoellick nomination. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3382.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 31 May 2007 15:26:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3382.aspx</guid>
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      <title>Australia joins Brazil's call for merit-based World Bank presidential selection process</title>
      <description>Demands join a chorus of voices from civil society and beyond expressing concerns about the antiquated system through which the United States effectively appoints the President.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3376.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 29 May 2007 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3376.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>World Bank governance challenges: what must be done</title>
      <description>The Wolfowitz scandal should serve as a sobering wake-up call to the World Bank on the need for meaningful governance reforms. Its archaic 1940s convention of allowing the US to name the Bank’s leader undermines the institution’s legitimacy as well as the accountability of the Bank’s president. The Bank does not need to look very far for reform proposals - including its own 2001 proposals for an open, competitive selection process that were summarily ignored. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3355.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 17 May 2007 13:09:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3355.aspx</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>2007 Annual Meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD)</title>
      <description>The EBRD Annual Meeting and Business Forum will be held 20-21 May 2007 in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation. One hot topic of conversation will be over the institution's profits. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3342.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 May 2007 12:43:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3342.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>BIC statement on the Wolfowitz scandal and the need for deeper governance reforms</title>
      <description>With all eyes on Wolfowitz, few are looking deeper at the true scandal about the World Bank – that the governance of the world’s leading development agency is shrouded in secrecy and fundamentally undemocratic.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3294.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 27 Apr 2007 16:50:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3294.aspx</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Staff Association calls for Wolfowitz's resignation </title>
      <description>The chair of the World Bank Staff Association, Alison Cave, said that Paul Wolfowitz "must acknowledge that his conduct has compromised the integrity and effectiveness of the World Bank Group and has destroyed the staff's trust in his leadership. He must act honorably and resign."</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3248.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 12 Apr 2007 14:08:25 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3248.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>US nominates new Executive Directors for World Bank, IMF and ADB</title>
      <description>Testimonies were presented by nominees Margrethe Lundsager, Eli Whitney Debevoise II and Curtis S. Chin to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and statements were followed by a question and answer period. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3212.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:47:14 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3212.aspx</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Public Consultation on EIB's Anti-Fraud Policy </title>
      <description>The EIB is launching a public consultation as part of a review of its anti-fraud policy from February 12-April 18, 2007. If required, this process will be extended to include another 20 working-day consultation, taking into account stakeholder comments from the first round. Comments accepted until April 18, 2007. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3208.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 13 Mar 2007 12:38:20 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3208.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>EBRD blacklists German firm found guilty of fraud by World Bank</title>
      <description>The German company Lahmeyer, found guilty of bribery while involved in the World Bank's Lesotho Highlands Water Project, has been placed on a list of firms that are ineligible of working with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) following the EBRD's examination of World Bank reports.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3183.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 26 Feb 2007 18:40:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3183.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Paul Volcker to lead independent investigation of World Bank's integrity unit</title>
      <description>The Department plays a critical role in rooting out fraud and corruption within the World Bank - a focus many claim is underplayed in the institution's development of its Governance and Anti-Corruption Strategy.

</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3169.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 20 Feb 2007 14:26:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3169.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Governance and Anticorruption Strategy: moving forward</title>
      <description>Consultation period closed on January 26. Management to update the current draft in preparation for a March 20 Board of Directors meeting. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3146.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 12 Feb 2007 15:57:43 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3146.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Dispute between Wolfowitz and Bank Board becomes public</title>
      <description>Referencing key board documents, investigative journalist Richar Behar exposes deep tensions between World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz and the Bank's Board of Directors.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3119.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 31 Jan 2007 11:39:49 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3119.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>World Bank anti-corruption strategy needs improvement</title>
      <description>Concerns include the draft's failure to adequately address the Bank's internal governance and the role of the private sector. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3118.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 30 Jan 2007 11:43:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3118.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>La reorganización del BID: ¿Qué significa?</title>
      <description>Una visión general del “porqué” y “qué” sobre la reorganización y el reajuste del BID recientemente anunciados.  Analiza los riesgos y las oportunidades basados en la mejor información que BIC ha obtenido a través de amplias entrevistas con el personal dentro del BID.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3111.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 26 Jan 2007 14:40:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3111.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Gordon Brown urges reform of UN, World Bank and IMF</title>
      <description>The Chancellor of the Exchequer of the United Kingdom, Gordon Brown, called for "modernization and reform" of the United Nations, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund, at a keynote speech in India on January 17, 2007. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3099.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 24 Jan 2007 12:09:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3099.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>IDB Readies 2007 Annual Meeting in Guatemala</title>
      <description>The IDB has announced that it will hold its 48th Annual Meeting in Guatemala City, Guatemala between March 14-20. The official agenda is not yet known, but participants are speculating that the hot issues at the 2007 Annual Meeting will be announcements about the heralded IDB realignment, Camisea, and HIPC debt relief. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3097.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jan 2007 15:44:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3097.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>IDB Restructuring: What Does It Mean?</title>
      <description>An overview of the "why" and "what" of the recently announced IDB reorganization and realignment. Analyzes the risks and opportunities based on the best information BIC has obtained through extensive interviews with IDB staff and leadership.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3096.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 22 Jan 2007 11:17:16 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3096.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>World Bank anti-corruption strategy: what people are talking about</title>
      <description>The World Bank’s anti-corruption strategy is trudging forward, in spite of continuing tensions over the content and tone of the framework. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3031.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 24 Nov 2006 17:21:09 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3031.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>World Bank anti-corruption strategy now open for public comment</title>
      <description>Comments on the controversial strategy will be accepted for an unspecified amount of time. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3016.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 16 Nov 2006 23:51:48 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3016.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Financial institution transparency - making money talk</title>
      <description>An article from Ethical Corporation on the Global Transparency Initiative's Charter for International Financial Institutions...</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3003.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 08 Nov 2006 11:02:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3003.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>WSJ article chronicles Wolfowitz's push to accelerate World Bank work in Iraq</title>
      <description>An article on the front page of the Wall Street Journal today, featuring a quote by BIC's Executive Director, provides a comprehensive account of World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz's continued drive to chart Iraq's future.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2995.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 30 Oct 2006 13:00:46 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2995.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Wolfowitz's anti-corruption plan receives lukewarm reception at Annual Meetings</title>
      <description>The World Bank's controversial Governance and Anti-Corruption Framework was the subject of intense debate prior to the Annual Meetings, raising important questions about the appropriate role for the Bank in fighting corruption, and the need for the institution to clean up its own act before dictating strategies to others. 

</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2986.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Sat, 21 Oct 2006 19:23:54 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2986.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>2006 IMF/World Bank Annual Meetings: Taking stock</title>
      <description>Details on the International People's Forum and the official meetings, a boycott timeline, and links to additional resources. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2966.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:39:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2966.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Wolfowitz's anti-corruption plan faces resistance from Development Committee</title>
      <description>World Bank management presented its highly-anticipated governance and anti-corruption strategy to the Development Committee on September 18 at the Annual Meetings in Singapore. The strategy was met with some resistance by member governments, who demanded greater Board oversight of the framework. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2958.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 19 Sep 2006 04:36:05 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2958.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>International People's Forum celebrates success; charts way forward </title>
      <description>In a statement released on the last day of the IPF, the organizers celebrate the success of the event and renew demands for multilateral debt cancellation, transparency and participatory audits of IFI lending and policies, and an end to IFI involvement in privatization of public services and environmentally destructive projects. </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2957.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:56:04 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2957.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>IF-EYE Issue 2</title>
      <description>Read the second issue of BIC's new monthly newsletter: the IF-EYE! </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2652.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 27 Feb 2006 13:27:11 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2652.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>BIC launches IFI Info Brief series!</title>
      <description>
      </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2347.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 22 Sep 2005 15:04:45 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2347.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Track World Bank country strategy  processes in Africa</title>
      <description>
      </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2180.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 24 Jun 2005 15:23:22 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2180.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Civil Society Groups Denounce World Bank Sponsored Forum</title>
      <description>A coalition of over 60 activist groups from more than 25 countries have signed onto a statement criticizing the World Bank’s Global Policy Forum.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2091.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 27 Apr 2005 14:01:34 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2091.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>BIC launches new Web page on Parliamentary Oversight of the IFIs</title>
      <description>
      </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2052.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 30 Mar 2005 13:54:32 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2052.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Over 50 organizations endorse statement calling for more democracy in World Bank president selection process</title>
      <description>The IFI Democracy Coalition demands a transparent and accountable process, open to candidates from all countries.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1927.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Tue, 15 Feb 2005 16:49:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1927.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Top Bank official calls for transparent process to select new WB president</title>
      <description>According to FT article, IFC head Peter Woicke claims a secretive deal between the US and Europe to replace James Wolfensohn would damage the credibility of his successor.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1885.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 03 Feb 2005 15:21:23 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1885.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Timeline now available for ADB, WB country strategy development in Asia</title>
      <description>
      </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1878.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Fri, 28 Jan 2005 12:41:52 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1878.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>BIC letter to FT challenges unbalanced decision-making structures at the World Bank</title>
      <description>
      </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1866.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Thu, 13 Jan 2005 09:59:18 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1866.aspx</guid>
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    <item>
      <title>Launch of 'Penang Paper': A strategy report from 60 NGOs on the WB/IMF</title>
      <description>This report distills some key themes and messages that emerged from a January 2004 meeting in Penang.</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1638.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Mon, 23 Aug 2004 12:00:35 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1638.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>Indian NGOs reject proposed 2005-2008 World Bank Country Assistance Strategy for India</title>
      <description>World Bank influence on Indian development policy condemned</description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1565.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 11 Aug 2004 14:28:17 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1565.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>ActionAid releases report on limits to civil society participation in PRSP process</title>
      <description>
      </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1449.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Sat, 24 Apr 2004 16:14:44 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1449.aspx</guid>
    </item>
    <item>
      <title>This Web page is currently under construction</title>
      <description>
      </description>
      <link>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1224.aspx</link>
      <pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2004 17:21:36 GMT</pubDate>
      <guid>http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1224.aspx</guid>
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