The World Bank's New Anti-Corruption Strategy

The World Bank's New Anti-Corruption Strategy Event Details: Please join SID-Washington's Governance and Rule of Law Workgroup for a presentation by Francesca Recanatini, a Senior Economist with the Global Program team at the World Bank Institute, on the World Bank's recently approved and much debated anti-corruption strategy. Daniel Schneider, Executive Director of the Societas Advocatorum, will moderate the event. Corruption is recognized as a threat to global security and a contributor to high rates of poverty around the world. When Paul Wolfowitz became President of the World Bank in 2005, he made clear that one of his priorities was to expand on the work of his predecessor, Jim Wolfensohn, to have the Bank aggressively address corruption as a challenge and threat to development. After considerable discussion and debate, and some controversy, the World Bank announced in September 2006 its strategy for how the Bank could raise its focus on governance and anti-corruption as a central part of its work to reduce poverty and promote growth. Dr. Recanatini will discuss the new strategy, how it differs from previous attempts to address corruption, how the strategy is to be implemented, and how the Bank's new strategy may change the nature of anti-corruption work undertaken by governments, civil society and others. Francesca Recanatini leads and coordinates the Governance and Anti-Corruption Diagnostic work in Africa and Latin America, from the initial dialogue with partner countries to the completion of specific anti-corruption action plans with government and civil society. In addition, she serves as a technical advisor in selected governance and public sector operational projects and learning activities for policy makers and practitioners. Daniel Schneider is the Executive Director of the Societas Advocatorum, an international association of lawyers and judges dedicated to fighting corruption and promoting the rule of law in developing and transitional countries. Mr. Schneider has consulted for a variety of organizations, including the World Bank, the American Bar Association, and IFES, on issues concerning governance, corruption, civil society and the rule of law. Location: IRG Conference Room 1211 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 700 Metro: Dupont Circle South or Farragut North Washington, DC 20036