Governance
Section Articles
Issue Brief: The IFC's Performance Standards - June 2006
In preparation for the 2006 National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and Extractives in Developing Countries, the Halifax Initiative has prepared this issue brief backgrounder, "The International Finance Corporations's Performance Standards - the New 'Gold Standard' or 'Fool's Gold?'"
Letter to President Wolfowitz to Mark his First Day (June 2005)
As Paul Wolfowitz begins work today (June 1) as the 10th President of the World Bank, 303 civil society groups from 62 countries have sent him a letter protesting the World Bank's destructive policies as well as the lack of democracy and accountability that allowed him to become its president. Halifax Initiative worked with international colleagues to help draft the letter and a number of Canadian organizations and coalitions have endorsed it.
Unpublished Op-Ed The New President's Challenges - Who's Going to Reform the World Bank? (June 2005)
This Wednesday Paul Wolfowitz will walk into an imposing glass and steel building on 18th Street in Washington, D.C. and start his first day in what could be the most challenging job he has ever held. As the 10th President in the 60-year history of the World Bank, Mr. Wolfowitz will have an unprecedented opportunity to help steer the direction of development as we rapidly move towards the Millennium Development Goal targets. But to do so he will have to confound his critics, defy skeptics and dramatically change both his approach to the international community and more importantly the attitude and engagement of the institution he now heads.
Government of Canada Response to HI (March 2005)
Thank you for your correspondence of March 17, 2005, in which you raised concerns about the U.S. nominee, Dr. Paul Wolfowitz, for the position of President of the World Bank. I appreciate your views.
Letter to Prime Minister Martin (March 2005)
We the undersigned organizations find Paul Wolfowitz to be an unsuitable candidate for the next president of the World Bank. We call on the Government of Canada to oppose the U.S. nomination and instruct the Executive Director, Marcel Mass', to vote against Mr. Wolfowitz's nomination.
Letter to Minister Goodale (March 2005)
We are writing to express our strong concern with the nomination by the US government of Paul Wolfowitz to become the next President of the World Bank. We call on the Government of Canada to direct its Executive Director to the World Bank, Marcel Massé to strongly oppose the nomination and to vote against it.
Comments on Bank Operational Policy on Indigenous Peoples (February 2005)
The Halifax Initiative Coalition sent official comments to the World Bank's Indigenous Peoples Coordinator highlighting the need for the World Bank to strengthen its draft Operational Policy (OP 4.10) on Indigenous Peoples in order to ensure that it sufficiently meets international standards and guarantees on the rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Who's Minding the Store? (October 2004)
Halifax Initiative's new paper, "Who's Minding the Store? Legislator Oversight of the Bretton Woods Institutions" examines to what extent national legislatures maintain democratic oversight of the World Bank and IMF. The survey reveals that legislators are inadequately aware, unevenly informed and largely not consulted on issues related to the institutions. The democratic link to bind citizens and institutional decision-makers is therefore fragile, at best.
Government of Canada Response to IDA letter (September 2004)
Government of Canada response to IDA governance letter.
Letter to the Honourable Ralph Goodale (August 2004)
We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the decision to exclude civil society from participation in the Fall meetings of the 60th anniversary of the Bretton Woods institution by canceling the NGO/PRESS pass.
The Case for an Independent International Development Association (October 2003)
The International Development Association is the arm of the World Bank Group that loans or grants financing to low-income countries. It is controlled by donors and by the World Bank's overall failed approach to people-centred, country owned development.
Rebuttal to IFC response to NGO comments on BTC pipeline (November 2003)
Letter to IFC which is a rebuttal to the IFC's dismissal of the NGO analysis of the environmental impact assessment for the BTC pipeline which found up to 173 partial or full violations of World Bank policies.
The Global Environment Facility: The First Ten Years - Growing Pains or Inherent Flaws? (August 2002)
The report offers a succinct overview of the GEF's first ten years, examining some of its history, structure and governance, the conflicting expectations of its participants and the implications of the central role of the World Bank. Co-released with Environmental Defense (August 2003). [ PDF Format]
Letter to Ecuadorian President Noboa (Feburary 2001)
We write to you as representatives of civil-society organizations concerned about the impact of IMF- and World Bank-imposed structural adjustment programs around the world. We are alarmed by reports of violent suppression by your government of the legitimate public protests against the most recently implemented adjustment program in Ecuador.
PRSP Review Submission (June 2000)
The Halifax Initiative Coalition members include development, human rights, environment and church organizations. In Canada, it is the main voice for reform of the international financial institutions so that they better serve the poor. Like many others, the Halifax Initiative Coalition initially extended a tentative welcome to the Poverty Reduction Strategy Process, hoping that the language of "country ownership" and "civil society participation" would, in time, result in some level of empowerment of people affected by IFI policies and programs.
Calling the IFIs to Account (October 1997)
In October 1997, the Halifax Initiative joined with organizations in Vancouver and Edmonton to host two public roundtables to discuss how the IFIs had responded to the calls for renewal. Over two hundred individuals participated in the discussions. Final Report
