 
World Bank, IMF, WTO, what the ...?
The World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the World Trade Organisation had their origins out of the ashes of the Second World War. Proponents of the new institutions felt that the new organisations would enable the people of every land to develop their potentialities in peace. They hoped that global economic interaction would maintain international peace and security. But 50 years later, there is considerable cynicism about the worth of these global institutions. What's gone wrong? This week's backgrounder explains.
 
World Bank Knew about Enron's Payoffs in Guatemala
A newly released U.S. Senate report has found that
the World Bank and other U.S. taxpayer-backed
agencies knew that Enron was paying commissions
to a shadowy company called Sun King to win a
contract to build a power plant on a barge in Puerto
Quetzal, Guatemala, ten years ago. The report is a revelation about the shady world of
international project finance involving the World Bank – Jim Vallette,
Special to CorpWatch
Holding the Applause: The Equator Principles on Project Finance
In June 2003 an international coalition of investment banks launched the Equator Principles, a set of voluntary project finance standards based on the social and environmental safeguard policies
of the World Bank However, NGOs are holding their applause. The EPs' limited scope and
lack of accountability mechanisms could potentially prove to be fatal flaws – Friends of the Earth USA
World Bank resumes aid to Kenya
The World Bank promised a resumption of aid to Kenya last week. A one day national anti-corruption workshop, attended by World Bank President, Australian James Wolfensohn, took stock of achievements gained in the fight against corruption since
the new government assumed power at the end of December last year – Herman Kasili, All Africa.com
 
The Literature of Poverty - A collection
This collection of writings is about poverty and seeks to show the very real effects of poverty on human
lives. This World Bank site is for children, in the hope that they will develop a greater sensitivity to the tragedy, the challenges, and the urgency of poverty – the World Bank
 
Disastrous Consequences
The US conservative think tank, the Cato Institute, believes that the United States should withdraw from the International Monetary Fund, which often serves as a benefactor to corrupt and inept regimes. It should also withdraw from the World Bank due to the organisation's "aid" to Africa, which has had disastrous consequences for the continent – Marian L. Tupy, Project on Global Economic Liberty at the Cato Institute
 
 Bretton Woods Project
The Bretton Woods Institutions are the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund
(IMF). They were set up at a meeting of 43 countries in Bretton Woods, New Hampshire,
USA in July 1944.
The Bretton Woods Project works as a networker, information-provider, media informant and watchdog to scrutinise and influence the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). It monitors projects, policy reforms and the overall management of the Bretton Woods institutions with special emphasis on environmental and social concerns.
 
Make a noise about injustice
Pray God would raise up strategic intercessors in this generation to be able to pray into the
transformation of the unjust structures of our world.
Pray that God would reveal something of himself and his power to transform situations of injustice.
Pray that God would replace materialism and selfishness with a passion for social justice, and a faith in
God to bring change.
– www.speak.org.uk/
 
Compass - Unmasking Greed ABC TV Sunday August 24, 10.40pm
Has the consumer society, pursuing possessions, and the perpetual search for material wealth eroded our values and our common humanity? Has Mammon won the war of faith?
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