Programs to Reform Global Economic Institutions

About this grant

The primary goals of the project are to promote greater accountability and stronger environmental policies in international trade law and institutions; improve the environmental and social impacts of the World Bank and other international financial institutions; and encourage increased corporate accountability and disclosure for private investment in developing countries.Multiyear funding will support activities that include monitoring U.S. government positions, developments in regional and bilateral trade and investment agreements, and the World Trade Organization (WTO) "Development Round"; ensuring that people are given opportunities to participate effectively in shaping projects that affect their lives; and encouraging corporations to be more accountable and sensitive to environmental concerns when operating in developing countries.Achievements during the past three years included coordinating a two-day planning retreat for U.S. environmental groups active on trade and investment issues; organizing a series of ad hoc meetings between the U.S. environmental community and visiting Chilean negotiators and governmental officials to exchange views on U.S.-Chile bilateral trade negotiations; providing rapid response analyses of the draft WTO Ministerial texts; and hosting numerous workshops on international finance and trade issues.