10. Speeches of World Bank Presidents [collection under construction]

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Coalitions for Change

( 1999-09-28) Wolfensohn, James D.

World Bank Group President, James Wolfensohn addressed the Board of Governors. In the past year the Bank launched a new initiative—the Comprehensive Development Framework (CDF). The aim was to bring the social and the structural aspects of development together with the macroeconomic and the financial so as to establish a much more balanced and effective approach. The Bank will work with the broad development community—the United Nations, the European Union, bilaterals, regional development banks, civil society, and the private sector—to build genuine partnerships. The CDF is now being piloted in 13 countries. The general experience reviewed that strengthening the organization, human capacity, and the structure of the state, both at central and local levels, is the first priority to reduce poverty. The speaker also called for a coalition for change in the new international development architecture in the face of globalization.
Development: A Coin with Two Sides

(International Herald Tribue, 1999-05-05) Wolfensohn, James D.

James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank Group, writes that development economics is the discipline that addresses the world's most enduring problem: persistent and widespread poverty. Within this deprivation is another dimension: hundreds of millions of girls and women whose lives are diminished and shortened by inadequate economic means and discrimination in social status and medical attention. The end of the cold war has been accompanied by a growing recognition of the importance of political, social, and economic participation, by widespread demands for human rights and gender equity, and by an emerging globalized economy. This offers an unprecedented opportunity to make development work. There is a need for effective and impartial legal and justice systems, with protection of and positive support for rights and freedoms of various kinds, a well-organized and supervised financial system, effective social safety nets, and essential social programs.
The Other Crisis

( 1998-10-06) Wolfensohn, James D.

This is a speech given by James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank Group, at the Annual Meetings held in Washington D.C., on October 6, 1998. It sets out the Bank's role and mission in dealing with the human crisis that has received so little attention in the media. Dealing with that crisis requires long-term work on both the social and the structural agendas. The speech also lays out a new "development framework." Such a framework would allow countries to look at the totality of change necessary to make development inclusive and sustainable.
Remarks at the Council of Foundations

( 1998-04-28) Wolfensohn, James D.

James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank Group, discussed the issues that link the United States to other countries: health, migration, trade, peace and stability, energy, food, and crime and narcotics. The responsibilities of foundations do not end with our cities and communities. The job the Bank does can only be done on the basis of partnership with the governments, with the other multilateral institutions, with the private sector, but most particularly with civil society. It is crucial that the foundation organizations in the country that have the experience, that know about volunteerism, about taking things in their own hands, diversity of interests, different points of view, and experience, should come together on the global issues.
The Santiago Consensus: From Vision to Reality

( 1998-04-19) Wolfensohn, James D.

James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank Group, discussed a new consensus on economic and social policy in this hemisphere that has been taking shape. This new consensus is one based on recognition of the paramount importance of what I called a few months ago in Hong Kong "The Challenge of Inclusion" — the challenge of ensuring that economic progress can become a reality in the lives of all the people of this region, especially the tens of millions who until now been very largely left behind. Chile has made commitments to a new model of Open Regionalism. The consensus goes beyond economics and finance, into the social dimension of development. It is time to retire once and for all that tired old phrase of the so-called Washington Consensus. In addition to financial resources, the Bank is determined to harness the incredible power of new information technologies, and a new spirit of openness and partnership, to make knowledge of global best-practice in development accessible to all. We are already engaged in building the internal architecture of a "Knowledge Bank." The Bank of the future will be committed to pulling its weight in translating the Santiago Consensus into reality at both the national and the regional level.
Address to the Overseas Development Council

( 1998-03-19) Wolfensohn, James D.

James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank Group, reflected upon the Asian financial crisis. What lessons are there that need to be learned? How do you position the Asian crisis? What went wrong? It is very hard to generalize; there are problems in the banking sector, and the private sector. Yet, the achievements of Asia are real. Fiscal management is excellent. Savings rates are high. Primary school enrollment is near 100 percent. This is no Latin American-style crisis. The Bank is working on two paths to restore confidence in these economies. One is financial and the other is social. There is a need for change in the supervision and control of the banking systems, and for transparency in the corporate sector. The social implications of the crisis are that it is the standard of living of the poor that has suffered the most. Inequality, migration, and unemployment are rising at scary rates. The Bank believes that together with the governments we can look forward to a real future in Asia.
The Challenge of Inclusion

(World Bank, 1997-09-23) Wolfensohn, James D.

This is the address to the Board of Governors, delivered by Mr. James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank, in Hong Kong, China, on September 23, 1997. This year's core theme is the challenge of inclusion, bringing people into society who have never been part of it before, the main reason why the World Bank Group exists. On reviewing the state of development circa 1997: despite improved social indicators, the rapid rise in life expectancy levels, and freedom ascending, much still needs to be improved. In East Asia, inequities between rural, and urban areas, and between the skilled, and unskilled are becoming more widespread; in the countries of the former Soviet Union, the old, and unemployed are more vulnerable amidst the turbulence caused by the transition to market economies; in parts of Latin America, unequal access to education, and health care, and disparities in income hinder progress; and, in many of the poorest countries, population growth continues to run ahead of economic growth. Considering the challenge ahead, the message for countries is to educate "your" people; ensure their health; give them voice, and justice; strong financial systems; and, sound economic policies, recognizing the link between good economic performance, and open governance, to build the broad social consensus. The effectiveness of the development community lies in building inclusive partnerships, between the governments, and the people, involving bilateral, and multilateral assistance, as well as nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector, based on good policy environments, with a look at renewing strategies. The Bank's responsiveness to this challenge has been that of commitment to the quality of work; increased accountability to measure performance; and, improved dialogue with governments. Key strategic points of change are to mainstream social issues, increase capacity building, forge sustainable development in agriculture; promote private sector participation, and strengthen financial systems.
Address to the International Labour Conference, June 13, 1997

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 1997-06-13) Wolfensohn, James D.

James D. Wolfensohn, President of the World Bank Group, discusses the relationship, which has been going on for years between the Bank and the International Labour Organization (ILO), has indeed been deepened and strengthened. The Bank has established some work programs, including joint studies on reform of vocational education and training systems, on the labor-market impact of export processing zones, and joint workshops for trade unionists on labor and development issues. Wolfensohn reviewed the differing role of the Bank compared to the ILO. The Bank is focusing direct and specific attention on poverty alleviation within a sustainable environment. He discussed other partners in development: other multilateral institutions, the private sector, civil society, and governments. The aims of the Bank and the ILO are linked to giving individuals a chance for freedom and economic opportunity with a sense of justice and fairness.
The Challenge of Sustainable Development: Keynote Address at the World Resources Institute

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 1992-12-15) Preston, Lewis T.

Lewis T. Preston, President of the World Bank, reviewed WRI and Bank collaboration to address global poverty issues. The Rio Consensus added impetus to the work on sustainable development, highlighting the environmental problems faced by the world’s poorest people. The World Bank has integrated these concerns into its work, adding environmental assessment for projects financed and supporting national environmental action plans. He concluded that poverty is at the root of both development problems and environmental problems. To protect the environment we must reduce poverty.
Address to the Group of Twenty-Four Ministers

(World Bank, Washington, DC, 1991-04-28) Conable, Barber B.

Barber B. Conable, President of the World Bank Group spoke about the following : (1) endorsing an early and substantial IFC capital increase; (2) encouraging effective actions to reduce global debt; (3) advising on appropriate roles for the Bretton Woods institutions in the Gulf; (4) encouraging more development investment, both of a public nature and through promotion of the private sector; and (5) urging a successful resolution of the Uruguay round of trade negotiations.