Your input requested on Recent Changes in IMF Policy Framework

Dear Colleagues:

Domenico Lombardi has been asked to draft the final civil society input into the Consultation on IMF Governance Reform.   He needs your input on the below.   Can you please post any responses to http://thefourthpillar.ning.com/forum/topics/recent-changes-in-imf-policy  or email them to me at imf_governance@new-rules.org?   The CSO paper is due on September 1, 2009. Please send comments as soon as you are able in order that they can feed into this submission.

The below is Domenico’s request for input into the consultation.

Thank you in advance for all your help and we appreciate any contribution you are able to make to this process.

Best Regards,

Jamie Baker

Coordinator

New Rules for Global Finance

I would like to draw your attention to the changes that the IMF has recently introduced in its policy framework.

On lending and conditionality, please browse:
http://www.imf.org/external/np/sec/pn/2009/pn0940.htm

On the IMF's role in low-income countries, please browse:
http://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/survey/so/2009/POL072909A.htm

While such changes are forward-looking and, thus, there is no operational evidence yet against which they can be properly assessed, it would, nonetheless, be helpful to gather your initial reactions. In particular, what are your views on:

1. The actual content of the recent policy measures.

2. To what extent do they reflect the advocacy/analytical work conducted in your own country in response to previous programs/relationships with the IMF?

3. Are the direction and pace of such changes satisfactory? If not, what are the relevant gaps in those new policies that should be addressed as a matter of urgency?

While things are obviously interconnected, it would be helpful to have a round of focused and targeted contributions on the very specific issues outlined above.

Looking forward to your reactions.

Domenico Lombardi

Please post any responses to http://thefourthpillar.ning.com/forum/topics/recent-changes-in-imf-policy  or email them to me at imf_governance@new-rules.org?