News
World Bank (WB) president James D. Wolfensohn and International Monetary Fund (IMF) deputy managing director Agustín Carstens will join WCC general secretary Samuel Kobia and WCC president from Africa, Agnes Abuom for a high-level encounter between the three organizations to take place on 22 October, 2004 in Geneva's Ecumenical Centre.
The encounter, which is culminating a series initiated in February 2003, will take the form of a panel roundtable, moderated by Cornelio Sommaruga, former President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, with further discussion with participants. Members of the three organizations and invited guests from social movements and ecumenical organizations will participate in the encounter. A statement on future common action, highlighting areas of common ground and areas of continued difference amongst the organizations, will be presented after the encounter.
Media representatives are invited to attend the panel, and will also be able to ask questions during a press conference scheduled at the end of the encounter (see detailed programme below - accreditation required).
The issues to be discussed at the encounter are: poverty eradication, human rights and social justice, voice and vote of developing countries in WB and IMF, and ways to put the partnership among the three organizations to work.
Encounter programme
14:30-15:00
Welcoming remarks, by Cornelio Sommaruga
Why the encounters with Breton Woods institutions? by Samuel Kobia
Poverty eradication: an issue of justice and human rights, by Agnes Abuom
15:00-15:30
Primary focus on alliance and partnership for poverty eradication
and human rights issues, by James D. Wolfensohn
15:30-16:00
Role of IMF in poverty eradication, and progress with Poverty Reduction Strategy
Papers (PRSP); governance of Breton Woods institutions, by Agustín Carstens
16:00-17:00
Dialogue and exchange among leaders and other participants
17:00-17:30
Coffee break
17:30-17:50
Summary and identification of key issues, by Cornelio Sommaruga
17:50-18:00
Presentation of a joint statement and conclusion
18:00-18:30
Press conference
Press accreditation in advance is unavoidable for security reasons. Please contact the WCC Media Relations office by Friday 12:00 (contact details below).
For more information on the series of encounters see past WCC press releases at:
www.wcc-coe.org > press corner > WCC encounters with IMF & World Bank