Success or failure? Wolfensohn's reforms at the World Bank

In April 1997 World Bank President James Wolfensohn secured agreement from his board for a major reform initiative, the Strategic Compact. This reform was to be done via four main programs: reviving demand for Bank business, refocusing the development agenda, retooling its knowledge base and revamping institutional capabilities. Two recent World Bank reports have examined progress on these issues. The Bank's review conclude that the fundamental objectives of Wolfensohn's reform programme were right, but that some have not been achieved and some key dilemmas left unadressed. However, the Bank has increased its attention to new social areas.