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Join in Reviewing the World Bank’s Transparency Policy March 18th, 2009

The World Bank is currently accepting public comments from civil society groups regarding World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information. This public comment period will run from March 13 to May 8, 2009. The World Bank has issued a paper calling for revision of its disclosure policy titled: “TOWARD GREATER TRANSPARENCY: RETHINKING THE WORLD BANK’S DISCLOSURE POLICY.” This is available on the World Bank website. Send your comments via email to Disclosure_Consultations@worldbank.org or post comments on the Bank’s website.

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72 Members of Congress Urge World Bank to Cancel Haiti’s Debt February 27th, 2009

Debt Cancellation Will Help Haiti Avoid National Collapse, Give Fragile Democracy a Chance

A bipartisan group of 72 US Representatives called on World Bank President Robert Zoellick late yesterday to immediately suspend all scheduled debt repayments from Haiti and grant complete debt cancellation to the impoverished nation. Haiti currently sends $1.6 million to the World Bank every month while thousands of Haitians starve and the nation struggles to fill a severe budget gap that threatens the struggling democracy’s stability.

The letter to President Zoellick was circulated by US Representative Maxine Waters (D-CA) as well as Representatives Barney Frank (D-MA) and Spencer Bachus (R-AL), Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Financial Services Committee. The Representatives express deep concern about “the urgent humanitarian needs of the people of Haiti and the difficulties Haiti has faced in qualifying for the cancellation of its debts.” “We understand that Haiti is scheduled to send approximately $20 million to the World Bank in 2009,” the letter reads, “Clearly, this money would be better spent on basic infrastructure and poverty reduction for the Haitian people.” Signers include 72 US Representatives from across the political spectrum, including Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Donald Payne (D-NJ), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, and House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Howard Berman (D-CA).

Download a PDF of the letter from Members of Congress to World Bank President Zoellick

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Oblates Call for Indigenous People to be included in World Bank Education Programs in Bangladesh October 2nd, 2008

Oblates have engaged the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank in discussions on the education programs these institutions are funding in Bangladesh. The Bank recently released a report – “Education for All in Bangladesh – Where does Bangladesh stand in achieving the EFA Goals by 2015?” – which discusses some of the key challenges faced by Bangladesh in achieving the Education for All (EFA) goals and propose policy recommendations that could help towards meeting the goals by 2015.

While commending the Banks’ support for enhancing primary and secondary education in Bangladesh, Joseph Gomes, OMI – JPIC Director for the Oblates in Bangladesh – has questioned whether the Indigenous People with whom he works have seen any benefit from the loans.

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Jubilee Act Moves to Floor Vote in the House of Representatives April 4th, 2008

“Must we starve our children to pay our debts?”

-Julius Nyerere, former President of Tanzania

The US House of Representatives will vote on the Jubilee Act very soon, possibly as early as Tuesday, April 8!

Please take action by calling your Representative on Monday, April 7th.

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Civil Society Calls for IDA Reform October 19th, 2007

Civil Society says to World Bank President Zoellick and Donor Governments: No Blank Check without Real Reform at the World Bank

As World Bank President Robert Zoellick ramps up a $37 billion fundraising campaign to replenish the Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) at the IMF/World Bank Annual meetings this weekend, a coalition of US development and environmental groups released a joint platform containing needed World Bank reforms.

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End to U.S. Oil Aid Supported by Oblate JPIC Office June 5th, 2007

The Oblate JPIC Office has joined faith and environmental groups in urging Members of the US House of Representatives to cosponsor H.R. 1886, the End Oil Aid Act. This bill, introduced by Rep. Hinchey (D-NY), would limit U.S.-funded international financial institutions and export development agencies from subsidizing the oil and gas industry’s overseas operations.

Each year, financial institutions including the World Bank, the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) and the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im) provide billions of dollars to the oil sector. This oil aid subsidizes an already-profitable industry, including companies such as ExxonMobil, Halliburton, and Chevron, which have recently reported record profits.

(Download PDF of the Letter)

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