World Bank calls for greater partnership with civil society

The World Bank this week denied criticism that its policies had limited the capacity of governments to provide adequate social services to people in developing countries. Addressing delegates at the biennial world assembly of CIVICUS, an umbrella body of civic organisations, in Botswana on Tuesday, Bank Vice President Ian Goldin noted that the institution was the largest single source of outside funding for education, health and the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Goldin remarked that through ongoing enagagement with governments and civil groups, social services delivery in developing countries had improved in recent years. "Many in civil society do not realise how much impact civil society has had on the World Bank. It would be difficult to suggest that the World Bank has not changed in the way it does things as a result of engagement," he said. Goldin also highlighted growing pressure on governments and international institutions, such as the World Bank, to become more transparent and accountable for their actions. "We are pushing governments to open up more space for civil society - this is an essential dimension to sustained broad-based development," he told IRIN. Despite this optimism, the Bank acknowleged that life expectancy in Southern Africa had fallen to an estimated 49 years, and half the children on the continent were without access to primary school education. "We may differ on tactics and views, but we share the same objectives," Goldin said. But critics of the Banks policies remain unconvinced. The Asian Director of Action Aid International, John Samuel, told IRIN: "In spite of progressive rhetoric, the Bank still pursues the neo-liberal agenda of the United States of America and the rich countries." Some participants also said that although progress had been made under the current leadership, the World Bank still had not done enough. "The main criticism is that the governance of the Bank is flawed. The amount of votes is determined by the amount of money you put in - this means power is vested in the rich countries, especially the United States," said Kumi Naidoo, secretary-general of CIVICUS. Akalewold Bantirgu, deputy executive director of the Christian Relief and Development Association in Ethiopia, noted: "They have a dream of eradicating poverty, but the practice of the World Bank is widening the gap between haves and have-nots. Instead of acting on aspects that directly affect poverty at grassroots level, they prescribe macroeconomic policy adjustments, like Value Added Tax (VAT), that increases the burden on the poor." Delegates are holding talks in Gaborone, the capital of Botswana, from 21 to 25 March.