Is Global Inequality Rising?

ECONOMIC FORUMS AND INTERNATIONAL SEMINARS

Tuesday, October 8, 2002, 2:30 p.m.–4:00 p.m.
IMF Auditorium (Enter via the IMF Center)
720 19th St. N.W., Washington, DC

Transcript of the proceedings

The debate on the benign and damaging effects of globalization on human welfare continues. On one side, there are those who credit globalization for a tremendous jump in incomes and wealth, and a narrowing of inequality. On the other side, there are the critics who with equal passion allege that globalization is responsible for increasing poverty and inequality. Which side is right? And what light might the Bretton Woods institutions bring to bear on this subject? These and related questions will be addressed by the following panelists:

Ratna Sahay
Division Chief, Macroeconomic and Structural Adjustment
IMF, Research Department

Surjit Bhalla
Managing Director
Oxus Research and Investments

John Cavanagh
Director
The Institute for Policy Studies

Martin Ravallion
Research Manager
The World Bank