Tweet
Quality of public health funding largely depends on the World Bank and IMF for developing countries.
Appointment of the World Bank president
Open letter to all governors of the World Bank
LETTER|BRETTON WOODS PROJECT|15 FEBRUARY 2012|URL
15 February 2012
Dear Governors
Appointment of World Bank President
As you will soon have to make a decision about a successor to Robert Zoellick as World Bank President, we are writing to urge you to push for the selection of the best candidate through an open, merit-based, transparent process, and to ensure that developing countries play a central role in the selection process.
As you know, the Development Committee has endorsed an "open, merit-based and transparent selection process", most recently in April 2011. This underscored previous commitments by the G20, and if implemented would mark a vitally important break with past practice. To ensure the selection of the best candidate, with the legitimacy gained from the support of the wider World Bank membership, not just a powerful minority of countries, we believe three things are essential.
First, the candidate must gain the open support from at least the majority of World Bank member countries, and from the majority of low and middle-income countries. As the Bank only operates in developing countries, and has most impact in low-income countries, any candidate that was not supported by these countries would seriously lack legitimacy. In addition to encouraging developing countries to nominate their own candidates, the best way to ensure that developing countries play a central role throughout the selection process is for the successful candidate to be required to gain the support of a majority of both voting shares and member countries. This need not require any formal changes to the Bank's articles of agreement, but could simply be agreed by the Board, to build on the limited proposals agreed in April 2011. To make this work, countries would need to vote independently, not through their constituencies, and declare their support publicly. It is time for the US to publicly announce that it will no longer seek to monopolise the Presidential position.
Second, the selection process needs to be significantly strengthened. This should include: having a public application procedure open to anyone to apply; sufficient time to allow proper deliberation; interviews held in public; and open voting procedures.
Third, a clear job description and required qualifications should be set out, building on the short version outlined in 2011. Given that the World Bank has a mandate to focus on eradicating poverty and only works in developing countries, the new President should have strong understanding and experience of the particular problems facing those countries. The right candidate needs to be - and be seen to be - independent, and able to work with a variety of stakeholders, including civil society groups.
The World Bank needs serious and genuine reform. The selection of the new President is an essential place to start. We trust that you will take a leading role to ensure that promises for reform are honoured.
Yours sincerely
Endorsed by the following organisations
AFRODAD (African Forum and Network on Debt and Development), Africa region
Idasa - Economic Governance Programme, Africa region
Jubilee Australia, Australia
RESULTS International - Australia, Australia
KOO, Austria
Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh
VOICE, Bangladesh
11.11.11, Belgium
CNCD - 11.11.11, Belgium
Halifax Initiative, Canada
IBIS, Denmark
CEE Bankwatch, Europe Region
Eurodad, Europe Region
INKOTA-netzwerk, Germany
WEED, Germany
National Insurance Academy, India
Public interest research centre, India
INFID, Indonesia
ActionAid International, international
Americans for Informed Democracy, International
CIDSE, International
Civicius, International
Gender Action, International
ITUC, International
New Rules for Global Finance Coalition, International
Oxfam International, International
Tax Justice Network, International
WFM - Institute for Global Policy, International
Debt and Development Coalition, Ireland
CRBM, Italy
JACSES, Japan
Fundar, Centro de An?lisis e Investigaci?n, M?xico
Both Ends, Netherlands
Norwegian Forum for Environment and Development, Norway
The Norwegian Coalition for Debt Cancellation (SLUG)
Changemaker
Diakonia, Sweden
Action For Global Health, UK
Bond, UK
Bretton Woods Project, UK
CAFOD, UK
Christian Aid, UK
Compass, UK
Fairtade Foundation, UK
Health Poverty Action, UK
HelpAge International, UK
Jubilee Debt Campaign, UK
new economics foundation, UK
RESULTS UK, UK
Stop AIDS Campaign, UK
Center of Concern, USA
Friends of the Earth US, USA
Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, USA
RESULTS Educational Fund
Sisters of St Joseph of Springfield, USA
Ethical Markets Media, USA & Brazil
Endorsed by the following individuals:
Donald Sherk
Dr Robin Broad, International Development Program, American University
Hazel Henderson
David Shaman, B-SPAN Coalition
Appointment of the World Bank president
Open letter to all governors of the World Bank
LETTER|BRETTON WOODS PROJECT|15 FEBRUARY 2012|URL
15 February 2012
Dear Governors
Appointment of World Bank President
As you will soon have to make a decision about a successor to Robert Zoellick as World Bank President, we are writing to urge you to push for the selection of the best candidate through an open, merit-based, transparent process, and to ensure that developing countries play a central role in the selection process.
As you know, the Development Committee has endorsed an "open, merit-based and transparent selection process", most recently in April 2011. This underscored previous commitments by the G20, and if implemented would mark a vitally important break with past practice. To ensure the selection of the best candidate, with the legitimacy gained from the support of the wider World Bank membership, not just a powerful minority of countries, we believe three things are essential.
First, the candidate must gain the open support from at least the majority of World Bank member countries, and from the majority of low and middle-income countries. As the Bank only operates in developing countries, and has most impact in low-income countries, any candidate that was not supported by these countries would seriously lack legitimacy. In addition to encouraging developing countries to nominate their own candidates, the best way to ensure that developing countries play a central role throughout the selection process is for the successful candidate to be required to gain the support of a majority of both voting shares and member countries. This need not require any formal changes to the Bank's articles of agreement, but could simply be agreed by the Board, to build on the limited proposals agreed in April 2011. To make this work, countries would need to vote independently, not through their constituencies, and declare their support publicly. It is time for the US to publicly announce that it will no longer seek to monopolise the Presidential position.
Second, the selection process needs to be significantly strengthened. This should include: having a public application procedure open to anyone to apply; sufficient time to allow proper deliberation; interviews held in public; and open voting procedures.
Third, a clear job description and required qualifications should be set out, building on the short version outlined in 2011. Given that the World Bank has a mandate to focus on eradicating poverty and only works in developing countries, the new President should have strong understanding and experience of the particular problems facing those countries. The right candidate needs to be - and be seen to be - independent, and able to work with a variety of stakeholders, including civil society groups.
The World Bank needs serious and genuine reform. The selection of the new President is an essential place to start. We trust that you will take a leading role to ensure that promises for reform are honoured.
Yours sincerely
Endorsed by the following organisations
AFRODAD (African Forum and Network on Debt and Development), Africa region
Idasa - Economic Governance Programme, Africa region
Jubilee Australia, Australia
RESULTS International - Australia, Australia
KOO, Austria
Equity and Justice Working Group, Bangladesh
VOICE, Bangladesh
11.11.11, Belgium
CNCD - 11.11.11, Belgium
Halifax Initiative, Canada
IBIS, Denmark
CEE Bankwatch, Europe Region
Eurodad, Europe Region
INKOTA-netzwerk, Germany
WEED, Germany
National Insurance Academy, India
Public interest research centre, India
INFID, Indonesia
ActionAid International, international
Americans for Informed Democracy, International
CIDSE, International
Civicius, International
Gender Action, International
ITUC, International
New Rules for Global Finance Coalition, International
Oxfam International, International
Tax Justice Network, International
WFM - Institute for Global Policy, International
Debt and Development Coalition, Ireland
CRBM, Italy
JACSES, Japan
Fundar, Centro de An?lisis e Investigaci?n, M?xico
Both Ends, Netherlands
Norwegian Forum for Environment and Development, Norway
The Norwegian Coalition for Debt Cancellation (SLUG)
Changemaker
Diakonia, Sweden
Action For Global Health, UK
Bond, UK
Bretton Woods Project, UK
CAFOD, UK
Christian Aid, UK
Compass, UK
Fairtade Foundation, UK
Health Poverty Action, UK
HelpAge International, UK
Jubilee Debt Campaign, UK
new economics foundation, UK
RESULTS UK, UK
Stop AIDS Campaign, UK
Center of Concern, USA
Friends of the Earth US, USA
Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers, USA
RESULTS Educational Fund
Sisters of St Joseph of Springfield, USA
Ethical Markets Media, USA & Brazil
Endorsed by the following individuals:
Donald Sherk
Dr Robin Broad, International Development Program, American University
Hazel Henderson
David Shaman, B-SPAN Coalition
