Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 10:00AM | in World Development Not your grandparents' World Bank
I recently came across this remarkable speech by Robert Zoellick, President of the World Bank. He really did say, "This will no longer be your grandparents’ World Bank. It won’t even be your parents’." Why? Because a new multilateralism is emerging:
Modern multilateralism must be practical. It must recognize that most governmental authority still resides with nation-states. But many decisions and sources of influence flow around, through, and beyond governments.
Modern multilateralism must bring in new players, build cooperation among actors old and new, and harness global and regional institutions to help address threats and seize opportunities that surpass the capacities of individual states.
It's not often you can say that a World Bank speech is inspiring, but this one is visionary. Here is what Zoellick says about the future of development:
Development is no longer just North-South. It is South-South, even South-North, with lessons for all with open minds. It is conditional cash transfer programs in Mexico being studied around the world. It’s Indians in Africa explaining the so-called “white revolution” – that boosted milk production. It is a new world where developing countries are not only recipients but providers of aid and expertise. Nor is it about ideological panaceas, blue-prints, or one-size-fits all. In a multipolar economy, development is about pragmatism, learning from experience, recognizing how markets and business opportunities change, sharing ideas, and connecting knowledge, just as we connect markets, across innovative networks.
Now, how long will it take governments to catch up?
Sunday, May 23, 2010 at 10:00AM | in World Development 
Reader Comments (4)
Sounds good. It will be interesting to see what this actually looks like in practice.
Interestingly, only a few weeks after the speech, the World Bank announced that it was increasing the voting shares for several developing countries -- including China, Vietnam, and Brazil. The result is the first major change in WB governance structure in ages. And more is to come. The WB has promised an overall review of the voting system in 2015, with the aim of redressing major problems with representation by African countries and others.
I would be interested in implications of the word "innovative" here,
"In a multipolar economy... we connect markets, across innovative networks."
Great quote, thanks... will use it in an upcoming presentation about international surgery. Many still equate "overseas surgical missions" as charity, and thoughtful surgeons question their value. Rather than not engage, we can look for mutual benefit in collaborating with partners in the developing world. We can learn and apply lessons to our own challenges delivering better surgical care to isolated and even urban deprived communities in Canada.