The World Bank's role in shaping Third World population policy

Abstract

Since the World Bank became involved in population work in 1969, it has sought to influence Third World population policy by undertaking several types of activity: lending, policy dialogue, economic and sector work, analysis and research, and collaboration with other international agencies. The Bank's comparative advantage lies in policy development. It uses three main strategies: policy dialogue, sector work, and policy-oriented research. Policy dialogue occurs with government officials and program managers, mainly through discussions, Bank-sponsored seminars, and project development. Population sector work, which analyzes the population sector in a particular country, provides a base for operational activities and for initiating policy dialogue with program managers. Population research in recent years has focused on alternative policy and program strategies. The Bank's work in policy development has contributed greatly to shifts in government population policy in many countries, and its operational strategies have helped shape population programs in others. Its work program in the coming years will continue to stress policy work.Demographics,Agricultural Research,Country Population Profiles,Health Indicators,Health Information&Communications Technologies