Perspectives Asia- Asian Perspective: The World Bank's Role in East Asia

Perspectives Asia- Asian Perspective: The World Bank's Role in East Asia
Principal speaker

Mr Jim Adams

East Asia has sustained it's record of rapid economic growth and poverty reduction since the Asian financial crisis of the late 1990s. China's impressive growth record has been maintained and today it is the second largest economy in the world and most middle income countries in the region have generous access to global capital markets. In this environment, the question of the World Bank's role is not as obvious as it once was. Should it continue with a program in China? What contributions can it make in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam? While the financial needs of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar are clear, is that a justification for the involvement of a global bank or can regional institutions fill the gap? Is the Bank interested in the challenges of the Pacific Ocean states?

The presentation will highlight how aspects of the Bank's regional strategy has responded to these questions. In summarizing the various aspects of the Bank's program, the presentation will suggest that many of the global strengths of the Bank remain important to East Asia. It will also note some of the key contributions East Asian experience can make to other developing regions.

Jim Adams retired a year ago after 37 years at the World Bank. His last assignment was as the Vice President for East Asia from 2007 - 2012; he also worked on East Asia in the early 1980s. He spent almost half of his career working on Africa, leading the Bank's program as the Regional Director in Kenya in the late 1980s and as Country Director in Tanzania and Uganda from 1995-2002. From 2002 to 2007 he served as the head of operational policy in the Bank, overseeing a program directed at making the Bank more responsive to its clients needs.

Jim is a graduate of Colgate University and received his Masters degree from Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.

  • Cinema B, Gallery of Modern Art, Stanley Place, South Bank
  • Wednesday 20 February 2013
  • 6:00-7:00pm, doors open at 5:30pm

Guests are welcome to join us for refreshments prior to the seminar. Places are limited, please book early to avoid disappointment. Please RSVP, to Natasha Vary by Friday 15 February 2013 on telephone 07 37354252 or email n.vary@griffith.edu.au
 

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RSVP

RSVP on or before Friday 15 February 2013 , by email n.vary@griffith.edu.au , or by phone 37354252

Event contact details
  • Location GOMA- Cinema B, Stanley Place, South Bank | South Bank campus
  • Time 5.30 pm to 7.00 pm
  • date Wednesday 20 February 2013