Reasearching the World Bank? Publish Your Findings!

January 11, 2007—If you're in college or university, and are focusing on the World Bank's work in your research, then go ahead and share your work with the rest of the world!

Submit your papers to the Share University Papers (SUP) on the World Bank website—a virtual library that compiles student papers written specifically about the World Bank.

Every year, more and more students learn about the World Bank in university courses and write research papers that focus on the Bank. But they hardly ever contact Bank staff directly for information, and Bank staffers hardly ever hear about the findings of those papers.

The SUP website is a good way to join in debate and knowledge sharing with university students everywhere. And it also helps to keep the Bank informed about what young people think of its policies and activities.

"At the World Bank, we are eager to constantly explore and review what policy works, what doesn't, and what we are not sure about," says François Bourguignon, World Bank Chief Economist and Senior Vice President. "The Share University Papers project provides us with a unique opportunity to hear from the conclusions of students and researchers on critical linkages and challenges related to development, and to the work of the World Bank."

The Bank also proposes research topics to university students who are interested in researching its work. Recently submitted papers covered topics such as:

• How has the World Bank's approach to poverty evolved?
• What is the economic impact of structural adjustment programs on households in transition countries?
• What is the World Bank policy on trade liberalization?

Many of these authors are not afraid to criticize the Bank or express skepticism about its work. But most believe that the Bank is changing in the right direction.

"(My) paper takes a critical look at the current reforms process and how it has changed the World Bank's approach to development. It concludes that World Bank, in spite of the shortcomings and the slow-learning approach, still holds potential to bring about a positive change," said Vikas Nath, India, undergraduate student at the London School of Economics.

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