Global Development: Views from the Center

In taking the survey I realized that one criterion for selecting the new president is missing from the list of selection criteria. That is the candidate's demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through writing and public speaking. To me excellence in this dimension seems so important that it should override weakness on some of the other criteria included in the survey. A focus on communication skills suggests names like Al Gore, Bill Clinton, Colin Powell or Condoleeza Rice or even people from the entertainment world who have revealed a passion for development - like Richard Gere, Bono and Oprah Winfrey. Would I vote for any of the last three? Not if there were a more "serious" candidate with communication skills. But if I had to choose between Oprah Winfrey and former World Bank President Lewis Preston, I'd go with the former.

“open, competitive, merit-based selection” processes makes a great sound bite. Unfortunately, the slippery slope of politicization of the Bank through the leaking of confidential Bank personnel records seems to continue. Thus the GAP website has now published the confidential evaluation of the candidates for the recently-filled post of Bank Country Manager in Iraq. This would seem to corroborate the suspicion of some that the pursuit of Mr. Wolfowitz was motivated by something else than just his Bank management style. While us dewy-eyed utopians may be seeking for the greater good, there seems to be a serious rot which has penetrated the base of the institution and must be addressed. How about some proposals to address that issue?

It's a shame you did not include Anne Kreuger, former Chief Economist at the Bank and Assistant MD at the Fund, or Larry Summers on your list. They are head and shoulders above some of the candidates you listed.

As they say, "what goes around, comes around." After seeing the collective bloodletting at the Bank following the leak of confidential personnel information on a seconded staff member, should we be so surprised that "One eminent candidate urgently requested removal from the list as soon as he learned that he had been named"? In the follow-up to this episode last week, we have now seen released on the web confidential personnel information relating to the selection process for the Iraq County Manager. The release of this information is embarrassing to both the members of the Bank interview panel and the two candidates interviewed. Can you realistically imagine the "international community" empowering a selection panel to communicate PRIVATELY with potential candidates for Bank president in order to carry out a process of “open, competitive, merit-based selection”? Unless the transparency is total, it may be a self-defeating effort.

It would be good if you allowed people to anonymously respond to your survey.

Many of us who work in public service would be unwilling to attach our name and e-mail to our personal opinions on this important topic (for obvious reasons).

I am a former Executive Director of the World Bank. My friend and former colleague, the Executive Director of the World Bank for Brazil, Otaviano Canuto, is quoted in the FT on May 22 as saying with respect to the appointment of the next president after Wolfowitz, that the selection should be "based on the merits...regardless of nationality" and who could argue with that, though of course the problem of defining what are these "merits" remains.

I signed the same letter we all signed, without any doubts, but that does nevertheless not preclude me from thinking that the first and foremost merit a World Bank president must have now (besides the basics) is to be able to generate enough credibility outside the small world of the World Bank. This is so since no matter how this multilateral twists and bends, the chances for most of the poor of this world to come out of their misery in a sustainable form lies in being able to connect with the real world. Also the World Bank itself is dependent on this connection if it is to strengthen its role as a global public-goods producer.

And so, unfortunately, we might be back to square one where the best we can hope for now, is for the United States to nominate a person that fully and truly represents the United States, and counts with the favorable opinion of Europe. By the way I would never view such a candidate as a foe but, if I did, I much more prefer to work with an impressive foe than with a diddling friend.

Let us not despair though; the time will come when the world and the USA too will be ripe for Otaviano Canuto's proposal, and much faster than what we can imagine.

I agree with one of the contributors who has suggested that one of the most important missing criterion is demonstrated ability to communicate effectively through writing and public speaking. This would clearly show the organization of thought process of the person and how he/she keeps updated and participates in current affairs (research in social, economic and political developments)

In addition, the person should be able to link respect for human rights with positive development

People know politicians not bank presidents. In developing countries we are not concerned much to what degree a candidate is professional in global development. We are much concerned with the qualities of the candidate and his past record of commitment to values in favor of the less privileged. Who will be talking to us is what worries us the most.
The president we would like to see among us is the person who carries our vision, words, and feelings expressing them in global forums in real tone and exact content. A Deputy President and other World Bank staff should take the burden of the professional work.
In Sudan for example we know Blair and Zoellik. Both were concerned at different times with the South Sudan and Darfur questions. No matter how skillfully they served us but the fact remains that they were near to help us to attaining a national peace settlement. Ordinary people know less about job specifications but certainly they want politicians with dreams to represent them not mere professional economists.

Badreldin Elhagmusa

I don't know about Larry Summers after his record at Harvard (we're trying to restore credibility and good communications to the Bank, right?); but I was disappointed not to see any women candidates on your list as well - particularly coming from CGD! Anne Kreuger as someone mentioned above, Madeleine Albright... others that understand the intersections of development priorities, politics, reality... but with communication and management styles that are incredibly important in a top-level post like that.

I realize it's too late now with Bob Zoellick nominated (whom I think is a good choice if we're going US), but still disappointing that we didn't include any women candidates to begin with.

PS - Who wanted to be taken off the list?