IMF Archives: Finding Aids

External Relations Department Records

External Relations Department Public Affairs Division Records

Context

Name of Creator: External Relations Department Public Affairs Division

Administrative/Biographical history: The Public Affairs Division (EXRPU) of the External Relations Department was created in 1989 as part of a reorganization of the Department and in response to authorization for a Visitor's Center. At its creation, the Division's major activities included: organizing and administering the IMF's visitors and speakers program as well as managing the Visitor's Center; liaising with non-official groups, including business, labor, agricultural groups, non-governmental organizations, academics and parliamentarians; providing administrative support for the IMF Special Representative to the United Nations; advising and preparing replies for management to non-official invitations and correspondence; and, answering queries from the general public. Starting in 1992, the United States Congress was listed more specifically as a non-official group to liaise with in addition to other national parliaments. The IMF Special Representative to the United Nations was moved from the Department and attached to the Policy Development & Review Department (PDR) in 1991. During the Phase III construction project at IMF headquarters, the IMF Visitor's Center was dropped from the list of EXRPU's activities. From 1995 onwards, the Division assumed responsibility for organizing seminars, notably the Economic Forum and International Seminar series, as well as for producing information sheets on the IMF and its work. In 1997, the Division became responsible for coordinating, managing and evaluating the IMF's Internet presence. In 1998, joint press and public affairs missions and design of the content of the permanent exhibit for the new IMF Center (visitor's center after Phase III construction) were added to the list of the Division's major activities. In 2000, the following activities were added or expanded: liaising with IMF resident representatives; managing the newly opened IMF Center; and, managing and developing the IMF's civic and community relations program. Responsibility for the website however, was moved to the External Website section that year. Over time, the division has had the following Chiefs: Robert W. Russell, 1989-1993; Pamela J. Bradley, 1994-1998; Bruno Mauprivez (Deputy Chief), 1999-2001; Kathleen White, 2002-2007; Vasuki Shastry, 2007-present.

Content and structure

Scope and content: Sous-fonds consists of records created or maintained by the Public Affairs Division as it carried out activities related to: development and maintenance of information services for non-governmental groups; coordination of speaking activities of management; and, maintenance of contacts with legislative bodies in member countries. Records which predate the Division were generated by Robert W. Russell who would become its first Division Chief. The records are arranged into three series: EXRPU Chronological Files; EXRPU Quota Increase Files; and EXRPU Subject Files.

Conditions of Access and Use

Language/script of material: English, French, German

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