The World Bank is one of the most powerful institutions in the world. And it is charged with some of the worlds most important goals, at least in rhetoric. The World Banks mission is A World Free of Poverty. World Bank rhetoric now sees the institution
embrace such goals as poverty alleviation, environmental sustainability, gendermainstreaming, good governance, and partnerships for development. These claims demand critical analysis so that the reality of the Banks agenda and work can be
deciphered from its rhetoric. To that end, this research critically examines the World Banks rhetoric and strategies for engaging NGOs in what it describes as a partnership for development.¶ The World Bank, in the past two decades, has been at the receiving end of an increasing critical commentary, much of which emerges from the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs). In response the World Bank has started opening its doors, slowly at first, and then with increasing rigour, the Bank sought to intensify its dialogue with NGOs. Its tone is conciliatory towards NGOs, giving the appearance of an institution that is willing to learn, willing to be moved, and willing to transform itself.¶ This thesis analyses literature and primary research gathered from fieldwork experience in Indonesia. In exploring the case study I unearth the ways in which the continuing neoliberal development agenda of the World Bank drives its NGO engagement strategies. I discuss questions such as, do dialogues with NGOs produce change to the World Bank and its development agenda, and if so then what is the nature of those changes? Might the building of relations with the World Bank cause NGOs and their agendas to be transformed whilst the Bank remains relatively unchanged? What is the gendered context of the relationship and how does this reinforce unequal relationships? The Indonesian case study provides the terrain upon which these questions will be explored. Exploring these questions makes evident what can be expected from the World Bank of its engagement with NGOs, in process and outcome. This, in turn, illuminates the agendas open for change and transformation at the Bank, the contested agendas, and the
fundamental, non-negotiable and immutable agendas. In conclusion, this thesis reflects on the possibilities for change in the future.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:ADTP/216757 |
| Date | January 2003 |
| Creators | Whitelum, Bernadette, bernadette_whitelum@ausaid.gov.au |
| Publisher | The Australian National University. Faculty of Arts |
| Source Sets | Australiasian Digital Theses Program |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Rights | http://www.anu.edu.au/legal/copyrit.html), Copyright Bernadette Whitelum |
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