Special Events

In addition to the network’s Annual Conference and Parliamentarians in the Field visits, PNoWB also regularly participates in a number of special events including global summits, parliamentary assembly caucuses and economic briefing sessions. See below for a list of recent PNoWB special events and a brief write-up detailing the network’s participation.

PNoWB special events in the past six months:

WB Consultation on Education Strategy 2010-2020 - PNoWB participated in a World Bank consultation meeting organized on 10 June 2010 in Paris, where stakeholders gave their input on the new 10-year Education Strategy.

Annual Bank Conference on Development Economics (ABCDE) in Stockholm - PNoWB from May 31 to June 2 participated in ABCDE, which was co-sponsored by the World Bank and the Swedish Government. The conference examined development challenges in a post-crisis world and featured seven Nobel prize-winning economists, top academics and intellectual leaders in development economics research.

OECD Forum 2010 - PNoWB on May 26 and 27 joined some of the world’s most pre-eminent economists, leaders, civil society representatives, academics and journalists at the OECD Forum 2010.

OECD holds second ‘Shifting Wealth’ Seminar - On 10 May 2010, the program of the seminar ‘The Impact of Shifting Wealth on Developing Countries’ focused on the effects of Chinese investment in Africa and South America.

WBG Spring Meetings 2010 - PNoWB was represented in the Spring Meetings of the World Bank and IMF. The delegation participated in the CSO policy forum as well as specific meetings with development experts and donors.

European Parliament dialogue with IFIs - On 7 April 2010, a couple of days after Robert Zoellick and Jerzy Buzek met in Brussels, Corina Cretu invited European Representatives of International Financial Institutions for an informal lunch with Members of the European Parliament. The first in a series.

WB President meeting with Danish Foreign Affairs Committee - Chaired by PNoWB Board member Jeppe Kofod on 25 March 2010, the meeting focused on IDA16 replenishment, WB capital increase and the change of the WBG governing structure.

WBI and Anti-Corruption - The French Business Confederation – MEDEF – organized a meeting on 29 March 2010 on Anti-Corruption with M. Djordjija Petkoski, Head of the Business, Competitiveness and Development Team at the World Bank Institute.

European Parliament Hearing on Palestine - The Development Committee on 22 March 2010 held a hearing with Tony Blair on ‘Bridge Building and Development in Palestine' to exchange views on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

World Bank in Columbia and Mexico - The French Business Confederation (MEDEF) organized a meeting with Ms. Gloria Grandolini, World Bank Director for Mexico and Colombia on 11 March 2010, who presented World Bank programs and challenges in the region.

Innovative Financial Solutions for Development - The forum took place from 4-5 March 2010 and explored new financial mechanisms for better mobilizing, channeling, and using funds for development.

AGORA launch - On 2 March 2010, WBI and UNDP launched AGORA, an online information resource on parliamentary development.

Benchmarking and Self-Assessment for Parliaments - PNoWB attended a conference hosted by WBI and UNDP from 2-4 March 2010, where discussion focused on establishing international standards for parliamentary self-evaluation.

World Bank updates PNoWB on IDA 16 - On 2 March 2010, World Bank Vice-President Axel Van Trotsenburg updated PNoWB’s Board on the IDA replenishment process ahead of the first IDA deputies meeting in Paris. Possibilities for cooperation between the Bank and PNoWB on the Network’s upcoming IDA 16 and Aid Effectiveness campaign were identified.

Parliament and the MDGs in the Context of Changing Aid Architecture - AWEPA and the Spanish Parliament in the end of February hosted a seminar on increasing aid effectiveness via south-to-south and south-south-north parliamentary cooperation on the occasion of the Spanish presidency of the EU.

Environment consultations in Paris - As part of the elaboration of its Environment Strategy 2010, the World Bank held a first phase consultation on 25 February 2010 in Paris. PNoWB attended along with other civil society actors.

WB President lunch with PNoWB members - On 18 February 2010, Robert B. Zoellick and Jean-Michel Severino from AFD invited French MPs and PNoWB members for a working-lunch in Paris. Ambroise Fayolle, WB and IMF Executive Director for France, was among the participants too. This was a unique opportunity to receive insights and comments from French legislators prior to his meeting with French President Nicolas Sarkozy and just before the launch of the IDA-16 replenishment cycle.

OECD high level parliamentary forum - PNoWB members and staff attended this key bi-annual event, which took place on 18 February and focused  on the economic outlook, the social impact of the crisis, transparency and accountability, and green growth. MPs provided OECD with numerous comments and proposals.

Energy consultations in Paris - PNoWB participated in a second session of the World Bank Energy consultation led by Jamal Saghir in Paris on 16 February 2010.

Creation of the Nordic-Baltic Chapter - PNoWB created a new regional Chapter on 25 January 2010 following the initiative of Jeppe Kofod and Marion Pedersen from the Danish Parliament, with the support of the Nordic Council.

World Bank consultations on Energy - Jamil Saghir, World Bank Director Energy, Transport and Water, began his consultations on Energy in Copenhagen on 25 January 2010. 50 MPs and representatives from the Civil Society participated.