World Development Report 2004: Making Services Work for Poor People

By World Bank

Award winning title Selected as a 2003 'Notable Government Document' by the American Librarian Association (ALA) and GODORT (Government Documents Round Table). Too often, services fail poor people--in access, in quality, and in affordability. But the fact that there are striking examples where basic services such as water, sanitation, health, education, and electricity do work for poor people means that governments and citizens can do a better job of providing them. Learning from success and understanding the sources of failure, this year's 'World Development Report' argues that services can be improved by putting poor people at the center of service provision. How? By enabling the poor to monitor and discipline service providers, by amplifying their voice in policymaking, and by strengthening the incentives for providers to serve the poor.Freedom from illness and freedom from illiteracy are two of the most important ways poor people can escape from poverty. To achieve these goals, economic growth and financial resources are of course necessary, but they are not enough. The 'World Development Report' provides a practical framework for making the services that contribute to human development work for poor people. With this framework, citizens, governments, and donors can take action and accelerate progress toward the common objective of poverty reduction, as specified in the Millennium Development Goals.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 082135468X
• ISBN13: 9780821354681
• Release Date: September 2003
• Publisher: World Bank Publications
• Length: 288 Pages
• Weight: 1.60 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.5" x 0.5" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Focus on the problem.

Regardless of your political views, opinions about globalization, or general predisposition to the World Bank, the WDR 2004 is an essential publication addressing the issues of poverty and equity in health, education, and socioeconomic terms. Not only are the issues of equity being raised on an international level but intranationally as well. The WDR 2004 takes on the issues and problems that are increasing the disparity between the haves and have-nots within a given country. Without prejudice or preference, this report discusses the failures of institutions, national and multinational, in making the necessary strides to address poverty and the plight of the poor. This report is one of the most comprehensive resources available right now for understanding and responding to the issues of provision and access for the poor to proper healthcare, education, sanitation, clean water and electricity.