Related Site
In the News
Development
![[photo - Prof. Michael Spence-Nobel Laureate]](http://www.gsb.stanford.edu/research/faculty/fapictures/fspencea.gif) |
A. Michael Spence |
World Bank Commission on Growth and Development
The World Bank established this independent commission to deepen the understanding of economic growth for development and poverty reduction. Led by Mike Spence, Nobel laureate and former Dean of the GSB, commission members include: Trevor Manuel, Minister of Finance, South Africa and CGBE Senior Advisor and Lord John Browne, CEO of BP, whose corporation is a founder of the CGBE. Other members are leading practitioners from government, business, and the policy-making arena who share the goal of closing the income gap between the rich and poor countries. Established with the support of World Bank President Paul Wolfowitz, the commission was developed in conjunction with the Swedish, Dutch, and UK governments and the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation. Members on the commission plan to release a final report by the end of 2007.
The World Bank describes the commission's mission: The commission will take stock of the current state of knowledge and understanding of economic growth, review the salient features of successful growth experiences, identify new and developing trends that are relevant to future growth strategies, and assess the most effective approaches for developing countries. This exercise would look at the coming ten years and beyond, in light of the economic uncertainties that affect the international environment. The commission is expected to shed light on the long-run forces underlying growth experiences, and highlight the actions--at the national and international level--most likely to improve developing countries' growth prospects. The aim is to foster well designed policies for shared and sustained growth that leads to improvements in the well being of the poor. Details
