http://www.bicusa.org/en/Issue.2.aspx The latest news on Accountability from the Bank Information Center 10 http://www.infodev.org/images/infodev.gif http://www.bicusa.org/en/Issue.2.aspx Granting titles to large companies and individuals in national parks and other protected ecosystems is controversial because it was an openly illegal action. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12522.aspx Mon, 15 Aug 2011 11:54:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12522.aspx At the same time it is funding a dam that will devastate indigenous lands and block the Xingu River, Brazil's National Development Bank (BNDES) may allocate some $14.3 million (BRL 22.3 million) in grants for projects developed within the Kayapo indigenous lands, reports Conservation International. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12467.aspx Tue, 12 Jul 2011 11:05:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12467.aspx The BNDES’s preposterous involvement in the corporate dispute between French multinationals over the Pão-de-Açúcar supermarket chain shows that the state-owned bank has strayed far from its original mission. What exactly is the BNDES’s role nowadays? http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12466.aspx Tue, 12 Jul 2011 10:07:01 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12466.aspx With emotionally-charged messages, the representatives of indigenous communities marched against the construction of a highway that would split the TIPNIS in two, arguing that its construction allows for the ethnocide of communities who arduosly worked for the park to become an Originative Communal Land (TCO). (Spanish). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12464.aspx Fri, 08 Jul 2011 11:15:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12464.aspx The World Bank, the Technical Advisory Panel, and the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility present their comments on the latest draft of the the Colombia R-PP. (Document links). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12459.aspx Thu, 07 Jul 2011 16:27:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12459.aspx The Regional Aliance for Free Expression and Information sent an open letter to President of Brasil Dilma Rousseff http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12457.aspx Tue, 05 Jul 2011 14:23:53 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12457.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12456.aspx Tue, 21 Jun 2011 17:11:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12456.aspx Beatrice Edwards of Government Accountability Project argues against the U.S recapitalization of the World Bank for 2012 in light of the Bank’s involvement in projects linked to corruption allegations. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12425.aspx Wed, 27 Apr 2011 12:51:42 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12425.aspx After two years of negotiation, Publish What You Fund celebrates the finalization of the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI), stating "When everyone can see how much aid is being spent where, and on what, governments – whether giving or receiving aid – can be held accountable by their citizens for spending it well.” http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12354.aspx Wed, 09 Feb 2011 12:19:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12354.aspx Transparency and accountability gaps are highlighted in World Bank Board Query to Latin American Vice President, Pamela Cox. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12340.aspx Tue, 25 Jan 2011 16:57:08 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12340.aspx In a new study, BIC's Vince McElhinny examines recent IEG findings that point to a significant accountability gap with regard to a lack of cost benefit analysis at the institution and what this implies in the context of the ongoing investment lending reform. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12161.aspx Tue, 05 Oct 2010 10:21:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12161.aspx The Panel was given the green light today to conduct a full investigation into alleged policy violations in the World Bank's loan to South African power utility Eskom based on a complaint from local communities, who allege that the project will result in significant harms to their health, environment and livelihoods. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12065.aspx Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:58:12 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.12065.aspx Civil society organizations voice opposition to the World Bank's recapitalization ask. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11857.aspx Thu, 22 Apr 2010 13:41:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11857.aspx BIC consultant, Bruce Jenkins publishes report examining gaps and gains in the World Bank's revised information disclosure policy. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11826.aspx Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:35:02 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11826.aspx BIC highlights the work of Sergei Vorsin of Tajikistan's Taraqqiet Development Centre. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11825.aspx Wed, 31 Mar 2010 17:24:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11825.aspx South African activists Caroline Ntaopane and Makoma Lekalakala take on the World Bank's proposed loan to Eskom. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11808.aspx Wed, 17 Mar 2010 16:12:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11808.aspx The staff of Senator Richard Lugar released a report to the Committee on Foreign Relations calling for reform of the IFIs before Congress approves upcoming capital replenishment requests for the institutions. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11797.aspx Thu, 11 Mar 2010 10:10:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11797.aspx Without transparency the energy agreement would be less accountable http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11764.aspx Tue, 09 Feb 2010 10:24:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11764.aspx The World Bank released the final adopted version of "Toward Greater Transparency Through Access to Information: The World Bank’s Disclosure Policy," effective date 1 July 2010. The Global Transparency Initiative (GTI) congratulates the World Bank for the significant improvements of the new policy over its predecessor and looks forward to policy implementation. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11700.aspx Wed, 23 Dec 2009 12:44:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11700.aspx The Global Transparency Initiative (GTI) released its analysis of the World Bank’s new draft disclosure policy, Toward Greater Transparency Through Access to Information: The World Bank’s Disclosure Policy. GTI found that despite gains in access to information, significant policy weaknesses remain. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11602.aspx Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:20:17 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11602.aspx The Financial Times printed a letter to the editor by Karin Lissakers of Revenue Watch Institute and Peter Rosenblum of Columbia University regarding an October 13 editorial, "Hazards of mining". The letter argues that a culture of secrecy in the Mining industry has undermined its development potential. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11546.aspx Fri, 16 Oct 2009 13:45:27 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11546.aspx The report, entitled "The Potential of Evaluation: Creating Political Space for Dialogue and Action," examines the impact of the World Bank's Independent Evaluation Group's (IEG) findings through the last decade. It finds that Bank management rarely adopts the recommendations of the IEG. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11516.aspx Mon, 05 Oct 2009 10:57:01 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11516.aspx The World Bank/IMF Annual General Meetings in Istanbul October 2-7th provide a window of opportunity for civil society to impact ongoing policy reviews. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11502.aspx Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:41:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11502.aspx The full committee hearing addressed the 2009 World Bank Disclosure Policy Review and the role of civil society participation in achieving successful development outcomes. BIC board member, Richard Bissell testified. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11480.aspx Thu, 17 Sep 2009 16:52:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11480.aspx A workshop co-organized by the Bank Information Center (BIC), the World Bank’s Inspection Panel, and the IFC and MIGA’s Office of the Compliance/Ombudsman (CAO) was held in Marrakech, Morocco in late July 2009, and lasted three fruitful days. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11605.aspx Tue, 15 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11605.aspx The full committee hearing addressed the 2009 World Bank Disclosure Policy Review and the role of civil society participation in achieving successful development outcomes. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11448.aspx Tue, 08 Sep 2009 14:53:23 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11448.aspx This is one of several articles spotlighting the findings of a BIC commissioned study by Lalitha Kamath and Vinay Baindur. Findings reveal how India's urban poor are meted out injustice as local needs are left unaddressed. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11413.aspx Sun, 23 Aug 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11413.aspx Money for urban infrastructure in India is being spent on megaprojects that benefit only a tiny, wealthy minority of the population, while access to basic services like clean water and health facilities remains rare. A new report by Vinay Baindur and Lalitha Kamath shows how governance of the World Bank and Asian Development Bank allows privileged access to money for some while the poorest are left in the dust. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11410.aspx Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:09:42 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11410.aspx In Latin America and elsewhere, the IMF may be re–emerging—but in a changed landscape. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11401.aspx Mon, 17 Aug 2009 11:28:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11401.aspx Read a BIC op-ed in The Huffington Post about Indonesia's problematic Readiness Preparation Proposal to the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11371.aspx Thu, 30 Jul 2009 16:27:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11371.aspx William Easterly, NYU Professor of Economics and independent voice in international development brings attention to the World Bank's problematic policies on translation. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11294.aspx Thu, 02 Jul 2009 09:20:09 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11294.aspx Read a BIC opinion piece from the FP blog, The Argument, explaining why the World Bank must reconsider its current policies on translation and information disclosure in order to promote substantive civil society engagement. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11281.aspx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 14:38:35 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11281.aspx BIC highlights the work of Yahya Saleh Mohsen of the Yemen Observatory for Human Rights. Yahya played an instrumental role in bringing a case to the World Bank Inspection Panel involving the Bank's translation policies in Yemen and beyond. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11280.aspx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:43:56 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11280.aspx As member countries assess the 9th replenishment proposal advanced by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) on July 2 in Santiago, Chile, eight civil society organizations submitted recommendations on leadership steps the IDB should take in several critical areas before qualifying for any capital increase. These recommendations focus on two core areas of the IDB’s comparative advantage as a development bank in Latin America, Sustainability and Management for Development Results. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11274.aspx Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11274.aspx Submit comments to the World Bank online regarding the implementation of the Strategic Framework for Development and Climate Change until July 31st. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11269.aspx Tue, 23 Jun 2009 12:27:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11269.aspx The increasingly important topic of Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) was recently discussed among civil society organizations in Bogota, Colombia. Participants in the event discussed the ways in which the SEAs can be most effective and how to overcome certain challenges in applying the SEAs to certain projects. Infrastructure and sustainable development topics are also covered in this SEA bulletin. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11262.aspx Mon, 22 Jun 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11262.aspx Government urged to drop criminal charges against indigenous leaders and allow independent investigation into violent incidents in Bagua, Peru http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11264.aspx Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:21:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11264.aspx Just two weeks after the publication of Greenpeace's report "Slaughtering the Amazon" the IFC halts a $30 million payment to the Bertin corporation which was using the IFC loan to expand further into the Amazon. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11258.aspx Tue, 16 Jun 2009 15:10:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11258.aspx Negotiations are underway for the construction of six hydroelectric power plants in the Peruvian Amazon Region in a joint initiative of Alan Garcia and Lula da Silva. Serious inquires about the nature of the intiative and its implications for the region are not resolved which signals further problems. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11256.aspx Tue, 16 Jun 2009 10:45:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11256.aspx A consortium of civil society representatives met to discuss access to information at the World Bank in Bangladesh on May 20th. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11198.aspx Fri, 22 May 2009 11:38:28 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11198.aspx The Brazilian construction firm, Odebrecht, rejects Ecuador's US $250 million lawsuit which claims that the Brazilian company constructed a hydroelectric plant with serious defects. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11176.aspx Thu, 14 May 2009 11:10:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11176.aspx The president of BNDES, Luciano Coutinho, said that it is possible that the bank will offer financial support for the construction of six hydroelectric projects in Peru. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11127.aspx Fri, 01 May 2009 10:05:33 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11127.aspx The World Bank's procedures for detecting fraud in its main program of assistance to poor countries were classified as a "structural weakness" in an internal report, increasing the bank's problems in dealing with issues of corruption. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11109.aspx Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:04:49 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11109.aspx The Inter-American Development Bank should not receive public funding unless it becomes fully accountable to member governments and the public. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11082.aspx Sun, 22 Mar 2009 09:59:11 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11082.aspx New study by BIC shows that IFIs have fallen far short of matching project design with discourse when it comes to promoting a culture of accountability through their own project loans. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11081.aspx Fri, 20 Mar 2009 13:19:20 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11081.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11065.aspx Tue, 10 Mar 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11065.aspx Zoellick: "Bank's record with this project is appalling." Executive Directors acknowledge mistakes in Jale home demolitions and approve action plan. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11045.aspx Wed, 18 Feb 2009 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11045.aspx The reported scale of the Inter-American Development Bank's investment portfolio losses of $1.9 billion — 10 to 100 times higher than the losses of the other development banks http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11042.aspx Thu, 12 Feb 2009 23:55:38 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11042.aspx While the international financial institutions report sharp lending increases due to the global financial crisis, concerns over lack of transparency and accountability remain. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11015.aspx Fri, 09 Jan 2009 10:54:55 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.11015.aspx Meanwhile, people displaced by the project finally receive monetary compensation, nearly four years after being impoverished through a resettlement process that denied them the option of the land compensation they were entitled to. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10989.aspx Thu, 18 Dec 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10989.aspx Civil society organizations (CSOs) from 10 South American countries have invited the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to engage in dialogue about the use and misuse of Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs) in a two-day workshop to be held in Bogota, Colombia (Dec. 2 and 3, 2008). The workshop will feature presentations on the IDB's progress in developing a strategic decision making system that includes clearer rules for SEAs. CSOs will present lessons learned and recommendations for more effective use of SEAs drawn from a decade of experience with high risk infrastructure projects. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10958.aspx Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.10958.aspx The World Bank Group (WBG) loans to countries in Europe and Central Asia (ECA) increased by 30% between FY07 and FY08. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3904.aspx Wed, 24 Sep 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3904.aspx The author, Shripad Dharmadhikary, examines why being a knowledge provider is so important to the World Bank, and how the Bank uses its research and knowledge services to intervene in the policy making of borrowing countries. The Bank Information Center supported the distribution of this book so as to highlight this little discussed role of the World Bank. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3859.aspx Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3859.aspx A new report released by an independent researcher from the Burmese community says that many victims of Cyclone Nargis are still not getting adequate relief material from international aid groups, including the United Nations agencies. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3858.aspx Thu, 24 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3858.aspx The World Bank Caucus aims to foster dialogue between the World Bank and members of the U.S. Congress on development, poverty and trade issues. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3852.aspx Thu, 17 Jul 2008 10:26:56 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3852.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3747.aspx Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3747.aspx In response to requests from the Bank Information Center (BIC) and other civil society organizations, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) has begun providing links to where IFC extractive industry clients disclose their payments to host governments. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3734.aspx Tue, 15 Apr 2008 17:52:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3734.aspx Updated April 10, 2008: The World Bank's Inspection Panel is recruiting qualified applicants to fill a vacancy in its three-member team. Regional balance considerations could likely mean selection of a candidate from the South East Asia region. The closing date for applications has been extended to April 30, 2008. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3716.aspx Thu, 03 Apr 2008 11:29:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3716.aspx Read the preliminary assessment of the implementation of project level revenue transparency commitments for the extractive industry projects financed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3685.aspx Tue, 26 Feb 2008 14:08:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3685.aspx Trainings aim to inform Indonesian civil society about the basics of the multilateral development banks and hold the institutions accountable. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3683.aspx Fri, 22 Feb 2008 15:12:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3683.aspx 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." http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3664.aspx Mon, 04 Feb 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3664.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3659.aspx Wed, 30 Jan 2008 14:07:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3659.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3657.aspx Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:00:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3657.aspx Construction of the dam proceeds despite an ongoing investigation into claims presented by civil society groups that the project violates environmental and social standards of both the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB). http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3651.aspx Thu, 17 Jan 2008 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3651.aspx The Compliance Review Panel is part of the Asian Development Bank's (ADB) Accountability Mechanism. It is a citizen’s complaint panel where people affected by ADB projects can request an independent investigation into problems they face and policy violations committed by the ADB. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3634.aspx Thu, 20 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3634.aspx One World Trust’s 2007 report identifies vital accountability standards for global actors. Ratings of policies and systems, however, do not reflect the most critical dimension of accountability: on-the-ground practice. Asian groups disagree with top scores for ADB. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3598.aspx Thu, 06 Dec 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3598.aspx In 2006, the World Bank’s Inspection Panel (IP) issued its investigation report for the Bank-funded Pakistan National Drainage Program (NDP). The inspection requesters strongly feel the World Bank Board should ask the Inspection Panel to monitor progress of Management's Action Plan so as to provide the Board with an independent assessment of progress or lack thereof. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3584.aspx Wed, 21 Nov 2007 11:11:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3584.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3573.aspx Wed, 14 Nov 2007 16:58:22 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3573.aspx For the first time, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has publicly disclosed the official terms of appointment for its new Managing Director, Dominique Strauss-Kahn. His terms include an annual salary of $420,930 (net of income taxes), an annual allowance of $75,350 for maintaining “a scale of living,” and the ability to resign from his position at any time. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3564.aspx Wed, 07 Nov 2007 20:02:24 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3564.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3557.aspx Fri, 02 Nov 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3557.aspx On October 15th, a public hearing on the World Bank will take place in The Hague. The hearing aims to raise the debate on the legitimacy of the World Bank and influence the aid distribution process. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3529.aspx Tue, 09 Oct 2007 16:10:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3529.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3528.aspx Tue, 09 Oct 2007 13:51:38 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3528.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3518.aspx Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3518.aspx In its preliminary findings, the first ever Independent People’s Tribunal on the World Bank in India found that the Bank had an undue and disturbingly negative influence in shaping India’s national policies disproportionate to its contribution, financial or otherwise. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3514.aspx Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:22:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3514.aspx The four-day Independent People's Tribunal on the World Bank, the first of its kind in India, begins today. The Tribunal is an opportunity for impacted commununities and concerned groups to discuss how the World Bank has influenced their lives. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3496.aspx Fri, 21 Sep 2007 00:00:00 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3496.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3488.aspx Fri, 14 Sep 2007 01:45:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3488.aspx Four members of the team tasked with revising the ADB project "safeguards" have resigned in protest against management's efforts to dilute the bank's policies on environment, resettlement and indigenous people. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3487.aspx Thu, 13 Sep 2007 17:08:07 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3487.aspx The Asian Development Bank is contemplating changing mission its from “poverty reduction” to “inclusive, environmental friendly growth” and promoting “regional economic integration” as it tries to re-invent itself for the “New Asia.” http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3486.aspx Thu, 13 Sep 2007 12:25:11 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3486.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3483.aspx Fri, 07 Sep 2007 18:22:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3483.aspx The World Bank's Inspection Panel has named Roberto Lenton as its newest member. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3475.aspx Wed, 05 Sep 2007 11:31:37 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3475.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3447.aspx Fri, 20 Jul 2007 15:44:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3447.aspx Africa, middle-income countries and cross-border problems are but some of the issues needing Robert Zoellick's attention. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3444.aspx Fri, 20 Jul 2007 00:30:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3444.aspx Controversial Uganda dam to become the subject of the first trial case for the African Development Bank's new Independent Review Mechanism. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3328.aspx Wed, 09 May 2007 13:00:12 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3328.aspx Applications are being accepted for the next member of the Inspection Panel. Candidates should have a clear commitment to accountability and a deep understanding of civil society and grassroots impacts of World Bank investments. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3268.aspx Tue, 17 Apr 2007 15:07:52 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3268.aspx The OED’s decision to include Khulna-Jessore Drainage Rehabilitation Project (KJDRP) in its 2007-2009 work-plan constitutes the first victory in the campaign to ensure the approach taken to manage drainage is not repeated in other ADB-funded projects in the region. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3230.aspx Fri, 30 Mar 2007 11:37:50 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3230.aspx A new film by independent Malian director demands accountability from the IFIs for their impacts in Africa. Staged in a typical family courtyard in Mali, "Bamako" beautifully documents a people's trial of the World Bank and IMF. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3150.aspx Tue, 13 Feb 2007 19:01:05 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3150.aspx The Compliance Advisor Ombudsman(CAO), the independent recourse mechanism in charge of enhancing the development impact and sustainability of the IFC and MIGA, opened the floor for comments on the its Revised Draft Operational Guidelines at the end of 2006. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3145.aspx Mon, 12 Feb 2007 12:13:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3145.aspx Comments on the controversial strategy will be accepted for an unspecified amount of time. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3016.aspx Thu, 16 Nov 2006 23:51:48 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3016.aspx An article from Ethical Corporation on the Global Transparency Initiative's Charter for International Financial Institutions... http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3003.aspx Wed, 08 Nov 2006 11:02:35 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.3003.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2986.aspx Sat, 21 Oct 2006 19:23:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2986.aspx Details on the International People's Forum and the official meetings, a boycott timeline, and links to additional resources. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2966.aspx Mon, 02 Oct 2006 13:39:36 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2966.aspx 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. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2957.aspx Mon, 18 Sep 2006 23:56:04 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2957.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2931.aspx Mon, 21 Aug 2006 10:31:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2931.aspx Comments will be accepted through August 4. Civil society has anxiously monitored the development of the framework since the Development Committee asked World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz to clarify his anti-corruption plan during last April's World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2882.aspx Wed, 19 Jul 2006 16:00:54 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2882.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2874.aspx Mon, 10 Jul 2006 17:46:03 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2874.aspx The Compliance-Advisor Ombudsman (CAO) released last week its comments on the January 25th drafts of the International Finance Corporation’s (IFC) Safeguards policies, which the IFC approved February 21, 2006. Following the IFC’s lead, a collection of private sector financial institutions intends to complete a review of their guiding policies on social and environmental issues, the Equator Principles. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2676.aspx Wed, 15 Mar 2006 14:37:58 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2676.aspx Suzanne Folsom was named Director of the Department of Institutional Integrity on January 17. Martin de Jong stepped down from the position last fall. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2581.aspx Fri, 13 Jan 2006 17:03:39 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2581.aspx The Asian Development Bank (ADB) posted a final draft of its review on the implementation of ADB Governance and Anticorruption Policies on December 27, 2005. The draft is available for public comment until February 1, 2006. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2567.aspx Thu, 05 Jan 2006 14:33:29 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2567.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2052.aspx Wed, 30 Mar 2005 13:54:32 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.2052.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1866.aspx Thu, 13 Jan 2005 09:59:18 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1866.aspx Compliance Review Panel has 14 days to prepare the Terms of Reference, methodology, and time frame of the review. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1852.aspx Mon, 10 Jan 2005 16:53:21 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1852.aspx IIM Panel letter contests IDB Board misrepresentation of their report in an August 5 press release http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1645.aspx Mon, 11 Oct 2004 17:15:25 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1645.aspx IDB Executive Vice President Flannery recognizes need for improvement in IIM. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1585.aspx Mon, 23 Aug 2004 11:51:47 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1585.aspx This hearing: "Combating Multilateral Development Bank Corruption: U.S. Treasury Role and Internal Efforts" is the third in recent months related to corruption at these institutions. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1517.aspx Wed, 07 Jul 2004 11:03:44 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1517.aspx Rejected in 2001, complaint succeeds under new Inspection Mechanism. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1516.aspx Tue, 06 Jul 2004 11:09:59 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1516.aspx Link to information on this and two subsequent Senate hearings on oversight of MDBs. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1454.aspx Thu, 13 May 2004 14:03:40 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1454.aspx The ADB will be accepting comments on the draft procedures until April 29, 2004 http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1384.aspx Mon, 05 Apr 2004 11:16:34 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1384.aspx http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1315.aspx Thu, 19 Feb 2004 16:31:14 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.1315.aspx The African Development Bank is accepting public comments on its proposed inspection function through January 31. http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.578.aspx Mon, 12 Jan 2004 10:49:57 GMT http://www.bicusa.org/en/Article.578.aspx