Former Worldbank President Mr. Wolfowitz's breakfast with Parliamentarians, May 30, 2006 Former Worldbank President Mr. Wolfowitz's breakfast with Parliamentarians, Oct. 11, 2005 Parliaments play a critical role in their nations' good governance by ensuring that state institutions are accountable, by representing the populace at the highest level of government, and by helping formulate and enact policies and legislation. More specifically, parliaments can be important players in helping curb corruption in their countries by exercising oversight (particularly financial) over the executive branch, building political will and enacting suitable legislation. In this context, the World Bank has fostered the creation of a Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB) to increase parliamentary involvement and effectiveness in the field of international development. Begun in 1999 as a dialogue about development and information-sharing between the Bank's European Vice-Presidency (EUR), based in Paris, and a small group of European Parliamentarians, this initiative has met with great success. The Parliamentarians eventually created a network amongst themselves and broadened their group to include more than 140 MPs from 60 countries around the world. Besides the activities of the PNoWB, the World Bank Institute (WBI) has been conducting programs aimed at strengthening parliaments' capacity to represent their electorates effectively, to manage their oversight responsibilities, and to formulate and adopt legislation. Japanese Members of Parliament seeking information on the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank and how to participate in its work are invited to contact the PNoWB Secretariat. The Japan Chapter of PNoWB was launched on 31 May 2004 at a ceremony held at the Japanese Diet. Masahiko Koumura, a former Minister of Foreign Affairs co-leads the Chapter along with Upper House LDP member Keizo Takemi. The Japan chapter also an Advisory Board comprises of several former distinguished Japanese politicians including former Prime Minister, Toshiki Kaifu and Tsutomu Hata. The objective of the PNoWB Japan is to engage Japanese members of parliament in issues related to development and to encourage elected officials from Japan to take part in the global activities of the Network. In February 2005, the Japan chapter held a video conference with the PNoWB Chair Bert Koenders, and World Bank representatives in Tokyo, London and Paris. PNoWB board member, Mrs. Wakako Hironaka, gave a progress report on the activities of the chapter, and outlined plans to raise more awareness of development issues within the Japanese Parliament. For more information, please contact Miyuki Izumiyama, Operations Analyst at the World Bank Tokyo Office (Tel: 81-3-3597-6670/Fax: 81-3-3597-6695/Email: mizumiyama@worldbank.org) Read more... |
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