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This study reviews the development effectiveness of social fund projects and considers the implications for their future support by the World Bank. It finds that the performance of such projects has improved over time in many respects. However, although they have been highly effective in delivering small-scale infrastructure, they have been less successful in achieving consistent improvements in outcomes and welfare impacts. The report recommends greater transparency and selectivity in the use of this policy instrument.
Fragile and conflict-affected states (FCS) have become an important focus of World Bank Group assistance in recent years as recognition of the linkages between fragility, conflict, violence, and poverty has grown. Addressing issues of recurring conflict and political violence and helping build legitimate and accountable state institutions are central to the Bank Group's poverty reduction mission. This evaluation assesses the relevance and effectiveness of World Bank Group country strategies and assistance programs to FCS. The operationalization of the World Development Report 2011: Conflict, Security, and Development (2011 WDR) is also assessed, to see how the framework has been reflected in...
The Book Presents An Overview Of Issues Related To Social Protection In Asia And Argues That The Provision Of Social Protection Should Be Seen As A Core Issue Of Development That Needs Urgent Action By Governments, Society And The Organizations And Advocacy Groups Of The Poor.
Many different organizations and institutions around the world came together for a conference to discuss the meaning of evaluation in poverty reduction. Their goals during the two day conference were: first, to identify lessons from past efforts to evaluate poverty reduction programs; second, to search for the new evaluation frontier in methodology for future poverty reduction programs; and third, to discuss how partnerships in evaluation can be promoted and how to use evaluation results more effectively. This volume contains the proceedings of that conference.
This paper looks at the way in which the pattern of disease is changing in developing countries, and the implications this has for the way in which primary health care (PHC) programs should be designed and managed. In the absence of an accepted methodology for discussing health management issues, it attempts to develop a conceptual framework suited to analyzing an environment of dynamic change. It applies this framework first to the management of primary health care programs provided by governments, and then to the role of the non-government sector in primary care. The paper draws broad clients. If the general approach adopted seems useful, the conceptual framework needs next to be applied to a series of specific country cases to test its validity and refine it, and to adapt the general conclusions to local cultural, administrative and political conditions.
The persistent inequality between women and men constrains society to lower levels of productivity and economic growth. The evidence for taking corrective action is now more compelling than ever. This report draws on case studies and other evidence to show how public policy can and should support services and infrastructure where the social returns are the highest and the use by women the greatest. It reviews progress made to date on gender issues and explores why inequalities persist. The report also stimulates ideas for creative solutions by pointing out innovative and less-than-obvious strategies that have proved successful. In Morocco, for instance, a study shows that paving the public road to school increases a girl's probability of attending classes by 40 percent. Also available: Toward Gender Equality: The Role of Public Policy on CD-ROM (ISBN 0-8213-3471-9) Stock No. 13471.
The '2005 Annual Report on Operation Evaluation' examines the use of information by World Bank managers to improve development results and enhance the effectiveness of the Bank at the country level. It suggests that greater attention is needed to measure and manage development results at the country level. This will require strengthening countries' performance measurement capacity. The Bank is making progress in strengthening the results focus of its monitoring and evaluation, but more attention is needed to improve performance measurement and tracking progress.
Many governments have contracted preshipment inspection (PSI) services to address problems associated with the over- and under-invoicing of trade transactions, tariff misclassifications, shortfalls in revenue collections from trade taxes, and the manageme
World Bank Discussion Paper No. 282. The establishment of the World Trade Organization (WTO) during the Uruguay Round of trade negotiations has greatly extended the reach of multilateral rules and disciplines, including those of the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT). Under the WTO, services and intellectual property will for the first time be covered by a multilateral trade agreement. With many developing countries now seeking membership in GATT, accession may have far reaching consequences for the trade laws, policies, and institutions that exist in a particular country. This report examines the new rules and disciplines as outlined by the Uruguay Round and reviews three following multilateral treaties: GATT, the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS), and the Agreement on Trade-related Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPs). It outlines the implications of WTO membership and assesses its policy disciplines. Finally, the report recommends practices for helping governments formulate the most effective trade policy allowed under WTO guidelines.
After the collapse of the Soviet system, the immense problems of environmental pollution in Central and Eastern Europe were widely publicized. Less well known were its effects on health in the region, which have led to a serious health crisis. This report examines the degree to which the pollution adversely affected human health, putting it in the context of other health determinants such as socioeconomic factors, health care standards and availability, and lifestyle factors. Among the numerous pollutants, the report points to lead, dust, toxic gases, and nitrates in rural water supplies as having a significant impact on health in Central and Eastern Europe. The author suggests possible avenues for international action. However, an analysis of the determinants of health reveals that addressing the pollution problems alone will not solve the health crisis. Improving health in this region will depend on the changing economic fortunes of individual countries and the ability of each to create a supportive social environment for its citizens.