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Information about the World Bank meetings and events

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The World Bank Meetings Center provides links and inside access to the information, ideas, and issues being discussed at various events such as the IMF and World Bank spring and annual meetings.

Road to Recovery

Our Host: Turkey

Financial Crisis

civil society

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Edith Grace Ssempala recaps the Meetings

Submitted by Sameer Vasta on Thu, 10/08/2009 - 07:17

The 2009 Annual Meetings are wrapping up. Before packing up here in Istanbul, I caught up with Edith Grace Ssempala,  World Bank Director for the Civil Society Program, and asked her to provide me with her own one-minute recap of the Meetings.

 

This is a different Bank than it was in the ‘90s

Submitted by Marwan Muasher on Sun, 10/04/2009 - 10:02

Istanbul Kongre Merkezi or Istanbul Congress Center. Istanbul, Turkey. Photo credit: Simone D. McCourtie/World Bank The skies have darkened with rain outside the Istanbul Congress Center, but spirits are high inside. The labyrinth of conference rooms is abuzz with government officials and civil society representatives, looking for pragmatic and innovative solutions to today’s most important development issues.

I personally think the CSO functions are going really well. I’m seeing a lot of collaboration, a lot of common ground, and even more so than in the past.

I think this is due to the Bank’s position as a voice for the poorest and our demonstrated commitment to providing the resources countries need to deal with the food and financial crises.

InterAction's Sam Worthington chats about the World Bank and civil society

Submitted by Sameer Vasta on Sun, 10/04/2009 - 04:48

This morning I had the chance to chat with Sam Worthington, the President and CEO of InterAction, who is attending the Civil Society Forum here in Istanbul. Sam took some time between the sessions of the CSO Forum to tell me a little about InterAction, the work that they are doing with the World Bank, and what he hopes to come out of the Annual Meetings in Turkey this year.

You can watch the entire 5-minute chat below:

 

 

Annual Meetings get underway

Submitted by Angie Gentile on Thu, 10/01/2009 - 06:54

Istanbul Congress Center. Photo credit: Simone D. McCourtie/World BankThe buzz is building in Istanbul, our beautiful host city, as delegates, press and CSOs from around the world begin pouring in for the 2009 joint Annual Meetings of the World Bank and IMF.

The press room opened Monday, providing temporary work quarters for the more than 1,200 registered media who are covering the events over the next week for news outlets large and small.

They are joined by representatives from civil society organizations here to take part in a Civil Society Policy Forum being held from October 2-7. The event is jointly organized by the World Bank Group and IMF civil society teams. The forum will bring together Bank and Fund staff, CSO representatives, including from Oxfam, Civicus and Africa Monitor, to name a few, along with government officials, academics, and others to exchange views on a variety of topics ranging from the global economic crisis and climate change, to governance reform. Bank President Robert B. Zoellick and Fund Managing Director Dominique Strauss-Kahn will co-host a CSO townhall meeting Friday afternoon.

VOICES: Ray Offenheiser

Submitted by Sameer Vasta on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 19:15

 
We asked Ray Offenheiser, President of Oxfam America, one question:

"What is and should be the role of the World Bank in the current financial crisis?"

Watch the video above for his answer. We'll be featuring more short videos from the Spring Meetings over the next few days.

VOICES: Vitalice Meja

Submitted by Sameer Vasta on Fri, 04/24/2009 - 12:01

 
We asked Vitalice Meja, Programme Director for the African Forum & Network on Debt and Development, one question:

"What is and should be the role of the World Bank in the current financial crisis?"

Watch the video above for his answer. We'll be featuring more short videos from the Spring Meetings over the next few days.

World Bank opens doors to dialogue with CSOs, press

Submitted by Angie Gentile on Wed, 04/22/2009 - 11:48

Civil Society Forum

The World Bank Group, together with the IMF, opens its doors on Thurs., April 23, for dialogue with the 400+ CSO leaders from around the world who have registered for the Spring Meetings.

The four-day Civil Society Policy Forum will bring together Bank and Fund staff, CSO representatives, government officials, and others to exchange views on a variety of topics ranging from the global economic crisis and climate change, to information disclosure.

Find out more about the Forum and the schedule of events at the Civil Society Policy Forum page.

Press Room Opens

In addition, some 800 accredited journalists have registered for the meetings. Some have found a temporary home at the Bank/IMF press room, which opened yesterday. Tomorrow is the deadline for submitting the online application for press accreditation.

If you're a member of the press and haven't yet completed the online application for accreditation, be sure to do that here.

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Discover: IDA

The International Development Association (IDA) is the part of the World Bank that helps the world’s poorest countries. Established in 1960, IDA aims to reduce poverty by providing interest-free credits and grants for programs that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities and improve people’s living conditions. Learn More...

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In Depth: Climate Change

Climate ChangeClimate change is expected to hit developing countries the hardest. Its effects—higher temperatures, changes in precipitation patterns, rising sea levels, and more frequent weather-related disasters—pose risks for agriculture, food, and water supplies. Learn More...

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In Depth: Influenza A (H1N1)

Communication and public health surveillance are critical for an effective response to the H1N1 flu virus as Latin America's experience shows. The World Bank, the United Nations and the World Health Organization are working to increase countries’ pandemic readiness through strengthening their health systems. Learn More...