Resource information
Although poverty has declined rapidly
over the past three decades, humanity still faces urgent and
complex challenges. The World Bank Group has established
ambitious but achievable goals to anchor its overarching
mission and to galvanize international and national efforts
in this endeavor. Accordingly, the institution will strive
to: (i) end extreme poverty at the global level within a
generation, and (ii) promote what may be called shared
prosperity: a sustainable increase in the well-being of the
poorer segments of society. This second goal reflects the
fact that all countries aspire to rapid and sustained
increases in living standards for all of the citizens, not
just the already privileged. The goals set will anchor the
institution going forward and will sharpen resolve to
support countries effectively to reach these goals. This
needs a better understanding of what policies and
interventions work best to promote objectives consistent
with these goals, when (in terms of the enabling
environment) they work best, and how to translate the
knowledge gained from evidence and practice to meaningful
engagement with country governments.
