Since the late 1990s, there has been a rebirth of activism around the globe with growing scrutiny of international economic institutions. This culminated in the U.S. with militant protests at the World Trade Organization's November 1999 ministerial summit in Seattle. Massive demonstrations were also organized against World Bank and International Monetary Fund policies in Prague last September and at the institution's April 1999 meetings in Washington, D.C. More protests are being organized to welcome the World Bank and IMF when they return to Washington this September.

Groups calling for the overhaul or abolition of these financial institutions complain that their lending policies in the Third World exacerbate the gap between rich and poor, largely benefiting powerful transnational corporations.

Critics point out that the billions of dollars lent to developing nations come with strings attached in the form of structural adjustment programs or SAPs. SAPs mandate debtor governments to open their economies to foreign corporations, focus agriculture on export crops, balance budgets through cuts in social programs and privatize publicly held enterprises.

Between The Lines' Scott Harris spoke with Soren Ambrose, policy analyst with the 50 Years Is Enough Network, who talks about growing worldwide opposition to the policies of the World Bank and IMF, and the protests being planned for Washington, D.C. Sept. 26-Oct. 4.

Contact 50 Years Is Enough Network by calling (202) IMF-BANK or visit their Web site at www.50years.org

Related links:

• www.abolishthebank.org
• www.september30.org
• www.iacenter.org
• Papua New Guinea IMF-World Bank Protest: "The Price of Protest," Sydney Morning Herald, June 30, 2001. Papua New Guinea IMF-World Bank student demonstrators shot after surrendering; 3 killed.