| The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund hold two global meetings – Annual and Spring Meetings – each year to discuss a range of issues related to poverty reduction and international economic development, as well as to assess the work program of both institutions. These meetings bring together not only the ministers who represent the 184 governments which comprise the Board of Governors of the Bank and the Fund, but hundreds of other government officials, donor agency leaders, academics, civil society leaders, and journalists. During these meeting, Bank staff typically carry out several dozen dialogue and consultation meetings with participating CSOs on a range of topics. For example, during the past five Meetings heads of the World Bank, IMF, Development Committee and IMFC participated in Town Hall meetings with CSOs and answered their questions. Over 350 civil society representatives from over 50 countries attended the 2008 Annual Meetings, a marked increase from previous years. Some 30 heads of CSOs were invited, for the first time, in order to raise the profile of civil society as development actors in the Annual Meetings. In addition to attending a breakfast with Mr. Zoellick, the CEOs also spoke on several of the Program of Seminar panels. Youth leaders involved in the Bank’s ‘Youth, Development and Peace Networks’ and country-based ‘Youth Advisory Groups’ also participated in Annual Meetings for the first time. Some 18 youth from 14 countries were sponsored to attend and these were joined by Washington-based CSOs and others. Various Bank Units joined forces with Friends of Africa International to host a special "Youth@Annual Meetings” program to discuss a broad range of issues including youth citizenship and school-to-work transition.
Past Meetings: |
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