56983 Vol. I, No. 14 Novelm ber 10, 1997 • ourney 1 to open ·space By Kevin Rafferty meetings, such as "town square" areas, making better use of natural IS DILBERT, the downtrodden light and planning a work environ­ put-upon cartoon character who ment responsive to changing busi­ lives in a tiny office cubicle, about ness needs. to be cloned several thousand The question of use of office times and sent to occupy World space is probably the most contro­ Bank offices? That is the fear versial of a series of measures that being openly murmured around the Bank's management has pro­ the Bank after the publication of posed after the review done with the proposals of the cost effective­ the help of consultants KPMG ness review which will see greater Associates. The aim, according to use of open space and fewer pri­ president James Wolfensohn in his vate offices. note to executive directors, is to Carl Wessmann, chief of facili­ seek out ways of making the Bank ties management, responds imme­ "work better, faster and cheaper." diately that staff should set their The review has identified a num­ minds at ease. "If Dilbert were in ber of areas for improvements. the Bank, he would feel like he When implemented they are was sitting in a castle here," he planned to save $170 million by comments, pointing out that even fiscal year 01, or $50 million more under the new arrangements, bank than envisaged under the Strategic staff will have much more space Compact. Real estate is the biggest than their counterparts in private single item, with projected savings industry. Level 11 to 17 staff will of $32 million as the Bank moves actually GAIN space in the out of rented buildings and redesigned offices. reduces its total space footprint by Currently 35 percent of Bank 20 percent. (Details, see p 7.) staff work in open offices. This Managing director Sven Sand­ will rise to at least 50 percent, but strom and Baird explained the units will be given flexibility in planned changes at a crowded designing their offices. In the new town hall meeting last week, the IFC building about 70 percent of day after they had been discussed the staff are in open-plan offices. by the executive directors. Alto­ The redesign will involve gether KPMG had put in 16,000 pilots and trials. The first will be man-hours, at a cost of $4.4 mil­ we have a poor track record." that it is not only an issue for from the part 2 countries, where in South Asia where vice presi­ lion Sandstrom disclosed. He said Baird told Bank's World that senior management, but an issue you might expect it, but also from dent Mieko Nishimizu has it was, "money well-spent" since he was heartened by the message of culture and attitudes in the the part I countries, particularly already volunteered as a pioneer KPMG had brought "a useful out­ from the meeting with staff. It institution and are we really cost the Canadians where Len Good and will give up her comfortable side perspective and discipline" to was that "we don't have a lot of conscious about what we do." was very clear about this. comer space for a standard 120 the task of reviewing the Bank and choice," about implementing the From the board, Baird said he ''The second message, which square foot office in the center of helping to make it more cost-con­ proposals of the cost effective­ got two messages. "One was was the stronger from the part 1 her region, though she has not yet scious. "They asked a number of ness report. "The survival of the don't lose sight of what the Bank directors, was that we really do decided whether to have an questions and continually chal­ institution, the demands of our is all about and cost effectiveness want to see a more cost-conscious enclosed office or open space. lenged our ways, pushed us to pri­ clients require us to do this, there­ is only important because it institution and to do that this paper Vice president Mark Baird oritize and tackle issues we failed fore let's not be timid about serves development-effective­ is a first step, what Wolfensohn added that reconfiguring office to look at," added Sandstrom. The implementation, but let's do it ness. Don't get trapped in a cost­ called 'a decent interim report' ." space also presented exciting test was to implement the changes, properly. That is very important cutting or a lending-driven cul­ For full text of CER plus ques­ opportunities of using areas that and Sandstrom noted that "we are message back to senior manage­ ture and make sure you really use tions and answers see Renewal are currently "dead", creating good at talking and writing papers, ment. The second message I got this to change the way the Bank website: http://www-intlrenewal room for teamwork and informal but when it comes implementing, [from the meeting with staff] was does business. This was not just ] aso conquers her butterflies to win over CEOs FOR 1FT's Eunice Jaso, the United a shy person. In her new job she was to explain to the of course, contribute way, but using my charm; giving Way is proving a journey of discov­ forced to discover and use her hid­ companies for money. ideas but not dictating." The biggest ery, both of herself and her talents den talents. She was given 200 which they have After the initial disappointment is "when someone and of the opportunities for making accounts of companies that are part responsibility feelings of trepida­ hangs up on me"; the biggest 'thrill a difference in people's lives. Two of the campaign to handle, and was exactly how the tion, Jaso is finding is when she convinces a new com­ months ago she began work as a pitched straight in to working at the United Way that not only is she pany to become actively involved loaned executive from the World top. "I was given the acCOWltants campaign helps ~ enjoying her work in the United Way. So far she Bank Group to the campaign. and lawyers," says Jaso, "and I have the community ~ but is discovering reports "99 percent success" and Even though recently armed to work with the managing partners and to encourage Using charm to provide ideas o that "I have an ability has a number of accounts where with an MBA degree, she was by and CEOs. The first time I had to them to devise to convince people "they had zero interest before but her own account and those of her deal with them I was all butterflies." fund-raising activities that win that they can help make a difference are now gung-ho about it." colleagues and friends in the Bank, The job of a loaned executive is attract their staff to participate and, to people's lives, not in a pushy United Way to help DC p.S INSIDE ... INSIDE ... IN Answerline ...................2 Koch-Weser replies .....••......2 Bank weathers EI Nino •.•......•3 Simple steps on AIDS •••••......3 The riddle of Russia ..••••••••••6 Staff Association •••...•••......7 The snacks are on us •••••••...•8 At the top of Africa - p. 4-5 Vive Mor Faye - p. 6 Baird explains - p. 7 2 November 10, 1997 ... ANSWERLINE ... ANSWERLINE ... ANSWERLINE ... LETTERS '" LETTERS ... LETTERS ... Q e The Staff Association recom­ emends that we all fill in the 200 comments): work environ­ ment, organizationa1 climate, and out the new edition an example of: (1) the slowness of the Bank WHERE'S THE $80 MILLION GOING? In the October 20th issue of Bank World's, Mauricio Mathov posed an Staff Survey, and "even write in career development. bureaucracy? (2) failure of com­ important question - what happened to the $80 million made available for extra comments;' as these write-ins How follow-up was handled: municating the new appointments front-line services under the Strategic Compact? "often tell the rea) story of a survey." the past survey was administered to the Directory compilers? (3) part Here are the simple facts: Regions received $55 million of additional It would be difficult to disagree. by ORG (now SRMIG) and as far of a scheme to do away with the funds in FY98; the remaining $25 million was allocated primarily to the Net­ But have the results of the as we know their responsibility paper Directory by making people works, DEC and EDI for research, new product development, and building write-ins of the 1993 staff attitude was for the survey administration look up their colleagues' names the knowledge management system. survey been published? Could you and not with the survey follow up. and numbers electronically? Overall regional budgets are 8.5 percent higher in real terms in FY98 please recapitulate some of the sta­ Follow-up was the responsibility than they were in FY97. Although there are some contingencies held to tistics, such as the number of write-in comments, and the three genera1 themes that attracted most of the managers. We do know that the respective managers did get copies of the A We regret the delay in pub­ :lishing the next issue of the Directory. While announcements adjust our programs during the course of the year, current work programs show increased budget allocations for most country programs compared to FY97. Where there has been a decrease, it was the result of deliberate man­ write-ins in 1993. Could you com­ comments, without any attribu­ of new managers were made as agerial decisions. ment how follow-up was handled? tion, and anecdotally recall that at early as June, many did not Despite these rea<)suring numbers, I hear from many staff that the least some managers did incorpo­ assume their new posts until resources to carry out individual tasks are being cut back. We had asked PBD A _No, the past "write-in com­ _ments" were never pub­ lished. The write-in comments rated these write-in comments in the follow up discussions/actions. For this year's survey, it is the recently. In addition, during the summer, new units were created, others were abolished, and the to look into this issue during the course of the preparation for the Cost Effec­ tiveness Review. The answer, or at least part of it, was rather simple: We are funding an ever increasing number of activities, many of which end up being were summarized and sent to the hope of the Staff Association, that selection and movements of staff dropped years later, within a very limited budget envelope. As a result, many appropriate VPU for action (e.g., in the new more open environment to the new units have only recent­ of our most important tasks do not receive adequate funding. Hard choices personnel team comments were environment within the Bank ly been completed. Further, office about priorities are replaced by across-the-board reductions in task budget". sent to HR). The write-in com­ Group that the write-in comments moves as a result of these changes This is not a sustainable situation. ments were a1so used in the written will shared more widely so that are still ongoing. Publishing an Remedying this situation must be a two step approach. First, we need to report to the president. individua1 staff and the Staff Asso­ interim Directory was considered, be clear about our priorities. I believe the way we are now doing CASs has The previous surveys had one ciation can work with manage­ but publishing information that brought us a long way towards defining priorities on a country basis and in broad, open-ended write-in ques­ ment to ensure that they are acted was incomplete and would be close consultations with our clients. tion and about six specific ques­ on in a visible and meaningful way obsolete before it could be printed Second, we need to become more cost-conscious and cost-effective. We tions. This 1997 survey actua1ly before the next year's survey. was not deemed cost effective. undertook the Cost-Effectiveness Review to build a framework for achieving has seven very specific write-in -Fred Wright, Thus, publication was delayed our vision of a flexible, performance-based Bank, responsive to the needs of comments (i.e., question #s 36, 40, Chair, Staff Association until November; this timing also clients and effective in reducing poverty. It is a tool we will use to change the 47,53,60, 76,88). allowed inclusion of new appoint­ way we do business. Over time, we all will be held accountable for achieving There were 6,2] 2 responses to the 1993 survey. Rough estimates of Q _I have been waiting for _weeks, which have turned ments for Executive Directors. Please be assured that there are productivity gains - obtaining maximum impact for every dollar spent. Pro­ grams will be funded adequately, but only if managers and staff work together counts for the write-m comments: into months, for the new edition of no plans to discontinue the paper to choose the right programs and implement them efficiently and effectively. over 2,000 comments for the broad the World Bank Group Directory, Directory even though the elec­ Let me be very clear. Setting priorities and achieving cost effectiveness open-ended write-in questions, and due in May. I understand that a tronic version is updated daily, will involve hard choices for all staff - not just managers. But the alterna­ over 3,000 comments on the more decision was taken to delay it until thus providing a current and accu­ tive is what Mauricio has described - inadequate funding for some of our specific questions. the new managers were rate source for information such as most important tasks. Our clients need and deserve high quality services For the broad open-ended announced. Given that it is severa1 room numbers. from all of us; to deliver, we must be selective and cost-effective. write-in question, the top three cat­ months since those appointments -Elisabeth Mendis, Supervisor, - Caio Koch-Weser egories were (each had more than were made, is the failure to bring Directory Information Group • • • NEW YORK · ••• WASHINGTON D.C. • ••• LOS ANGELES • SINGAPORE • • • • JAKARTA • • • • KUALA LUMPUR • • • • BANGKOK • • • • QINGDAO ••• • z o o J> o r o Averaging 6 1z years, ANA's fleet is 1 :i> Z z ­ partners one of the youngest and safest in the skies. On board, we invite ro Our frequent flyer partnerships you to stretch out and enjoy our rn « ::c ~ with US Airways and Delta Z o "Super Relax" Business Class Cl z ­ w z discovered the exquisite service and comfort o >­ U) of ANA making us the 6th largest airline in :s rn z z the World. Our reputation for treating our » :=l passengers as our guests ensures that your -l :=l -l o experience with ANA will be unparalleled. Z ~ o o :r: Ul n o ~ a: w ANA offers non-stop flights from New York, Washington, o.c. and Los Angeles and ANA > :=l o excellent connections to points throughout Japan, Asia, China and Australia. With 300 U z :; flights to 29 destinations worldwide, ANA can take you where you want to go. All NfPDOD Ail'lllayS • • • • • • • HONG KONG • • • • PARIS· ••• FRANKFURT· • •• LONDON • • • • GUAM • • • • BRISBANE' • •• JAPAN'S BEST TO THE WORLD November 10, 1997 3 ... NEWS ... NEWS ... NEWS ... NEWS ... NEWS ... NEWS ... NEWS ... NEWS ... NEWS ... Bank helps to weather POLICE, SCHOOLS GAIN FROM GREENER BANK Cast-otT computers galore, type­ EI Ninos coming storm writers discarded by the dozen, along with box after box of new but neglected files, stationary and all by Phil Hay storm water drains, shoring up sorts of office equipment, now dec­ bridges, getting in extra feed for orate a basement of the I building ALONG THE coast of Peru, the fann animals, cleaning up wells, from wall to ceiling with a spillover fishing boats lie idling at anchor, and re-settling people living in into the corridors, thanks to efforts ~ their crews ashore living on bor­ areas likely to be hit by mud­ of the Bank's greening committee li; rowed money. Their traditional slides. President Fujimori has in collaboration with the communi- ~ catch of anchovy has fled in search really drummed home the mes­ ty relations office. i of colder waters since El Nino has sage that people have to be pre­ They appealed to staff when Francis Robinson (c) helps police load up heated Pacific coastal seas by 5 pared for this weather system." packing to move offices not to throwaway used sur­ from the Bank's sur- Joan Martin-Brown with old computers degrees above nonnal. In the north Partridge says the reconstruc­ plus supplies but to otTer them to Yosef Hadar and his plus, he confesses he is of the country, flash floods have tion part of the loan, as it's cur­ community relations team. The I basement collection baftled by the amount of waste involved in ordering devastated towns and villages in rently mapped out, will move into is proof that the campaign is working, and last month and not using the equipment. It is not just the box the mountains, while severe gear next April, once El Nino has DC police, Cardozo High School the Community of after box of brandnew files, folders and equipment, drought grips the southern high­ petered out. Based on what hap­ Hope and AHED were the first beneficiaries of the but the computer software and manuals that have not lands. According to Peru's Central pened during the last major El greener Bank in coming to collect some of the dis­ even been unwrapped. Such proprietary equipment Bank, El Nino's unrelenting, Nino in 1982-83, the Bank carded equipment. has been licensed to the Bank and cannot be passed on almost biblical wrath, could force a expects there will be damage to Though Hadar is pleased that someone can benefit even to help the police. public buildings, bridges, highways, water systems, in fact much of the country's infrastructure will be bat­ tered in some way. Simple steps to combat AIDS EI Nino's tempestuous By AI Drattell all HIV infections occur in The report says that govern­ developing countries, according ment has a fundamental respon­ legacy 14 years ago caused THIRTY MAJOR developing to the authors, who state that sibility, but non-governmental more than $13 billion in countries, among them China, more intensive government pre~ organizations sometimes can be damage and is blamed for at India, Indonesia, the Philippines, vention efforts, especially more effective in working with least 2,000 deaths. Bob the former Soviet Union and among people who have many people at high risk. Some steps, Watson, director of the much of Eastern and Central sex partners or inject drugs, seemingly small, have already Bank's environment depart­ Europe, have a chance of com­ could save millions of lives and been taken with very positive ment, fears that this year's El batting the curse of AIDS - but reduce the severe economic and results. For example, in Nairobi, Nino could prove the biggest only if they act now, according social costs. Kenya, treating sexually trans- in the last 150 years. to a just released World Bank AIDS is an epidemic; perhaps mitted diseases among 500 pros­ Given the scientific evi­ report. labeling it a pandemic is more titutes and increasing their COl1.­ dence of impending disaster, It means investing in simple appropriate. Worldwide 23 mil- dom use to 80 percent prevented the Bank has become preventative measures. These [ion people are infected with 10,000 infections per year increasingly involved in Fujimori (I) and Burki inspect flood controls can be very cheap, but will help HIV and 8,500 a day are added. among their clients, the clients' helping its clients prepare to keep infection rates low and New evidence, according to the wives and other partners. significant slowdown in the coun­ against El Nino. In southern overall economic and social report, suggests that sub- Ainsworth said that "HIV try's economic growth in 1998. Africa, stricken by drought, the costs down. But if nothing is Saharan Africa moves through populations in a Peru is not alone: from the Bank is passing on the latest sci­ ~~~:~:~~~h~ ~demics." a.s~.s:e[]~.es done, the danger is of an explod­ • beach resorts of Mexico to the entific and technical information ing pandemic potentially threat­ It of overlapping epi­ desert hinterland of Chile, the to Mozambique, complex weather system known Zimbabwe and regional govern­ Zambia, ening tens of millions. .,'0"r.O jJ ~A ,.,.,jJ Governments need to as El Nino has brought wide­ spread climatic and economic dis­ ments and helping them develop contingency plans for safeguard­ The perils of inaction are recounted in the case of Pauline from Ghana. In her early twen­ If. r "l11 "lrC~" ~ act as early as possible. "In every country that ruption to Latin America. But the ing water and food supplies. World Bank is moving in with Economic conditions are being ties, an older cousin promised her work as a waitress in " J:;: ~ now has a serious epidem­ ic, people said 'it can't hap­ pen here.' They were speedy assistance to help limit the monitored to see how existing and Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, and new operations can be mobilized wrong," added Ainsworth. damage. loaned her the bus fare for "By the time that many AIDS Later this month, after an and directed towards coping with the trip. But upon arrival, cases are observed, it is too late urgent request by president drought conditions. she discovered the job Latin and Central America, to avert a serious epidemic; HIV Alberto Fujimori, the Bank is was a myth, and she had however, being so close to the will already have spread wide­ expected to approve an emer­ to work as a prostitute ly." In Honduras, for example, gency loan of $150 million to help warm waters of the equatorial to pay back the fare where fewer than 8,000 AIDS Peru prepare for, and subsequent­ Pacific which drive this complex and to live. cases have been reported, an ly weather, the worst effects of El weather system, are where the After three months, she had estimated 50,000 adults are Nino. The Inter-American Bank is principally involved. At saved enough money to return the most already infected with the virus. Development Bank may also con­ the regional level, a special task home. Soon, a boil grew under people infected: 14 In hard-hit countries, AIDS tribute $150 million. Bank offi­ force has been set up to give coun­ her arm. After seeing a herbalist, million. The virus may be on the has greatly increased the number cials say it's on1y a matter of time tries access to the best technical she went to a private doctor in an verge of exploding in other of deaths of adults during their before other countries, such as analysis; and at the national level effort to treat her worsening regions, too, such as Central and prime working years. Such Ecuador, Bolivia, Honduras, the Bank is working with the symptoms and then was admit­ Eastern Europe. deaths create particular hard­ Guatemala and Nicaragua, also authorities in both Brazil and ted to a hospital where she was "In many hard-hit countries, ships for the poorest families, apply for emergency loans. Argentina to ensure that money not told she had AIDS, only that HIV has already reduced life who often reduce food consump­ Bill Partridge, a lead specialist earmarked for existing water man­ she "must not go with men." expectancy by more than a tion and withdraw their children in social development for LAC, agement or flood protection pro­ "I never used a condom while decade," Over said. from school to cope with the loss just back from Peru, says the pro­ jects can be used to cover EI Nino­ I was in Abidjan. Men never The report identifies priorities of income. The report suggests posed Bank loan will pay for a related priorities. Reallocating asked for them. I never even for developing countries and the that governments can mitigate nationwide series of preventative funds within existing projects to heard of AIDS until I returned international community. The these impacts of the epidemic by measures and then cover the costs prepare for the worst is one option home and met friends who had first is to help people with the ensuring that anti-poverty pro­ of getting the country back on its that the Bank is actively exp10ring. it," she said before dying, one of riskiest behavior protect them­ grams indude poor families feet once Ei Nino has unleashed "We know how destructive the six million victims worldwide. selves and others from HIY. Yet, affected by HIV/AIDS . the worst of i,ts bad temper 1982-83 El Nino was in Latin Her story is told in in many countries, government­ The Bank is one of the largest expected by March. America," adds Partridge. "All Confronting AIDS: Public backed prevention programs do sources of finance of AIDS pre­ "I was really impressed by the countries in region are taking Priorities in a Global Epidemicc, not reach people with the riskiest vention measures in developing how seriously the Peruvians are this very seriously. We'll know just released. Martha Ainsworth behavior, such as unprotected countries, having committed preparing themselves for El how bad the situation is come and Mead Over are the principal sex with many partners and $632 million to 61 HIV/ AIDS Nino," says Partridge, who March, but for the moment, it's a authors. injecting drugs using unsteril­ projects in 41 countries as of the accompanied vice president case of making the right prepara­ Approximately 90 percent of ized needles. end of 1996. Shahid Javed Burki on a fact-find­ tions, and waiting to see what ing tour. " They're cleaning out happens." 4 November 10, 1997 • c ing to the to o a's ealt Gina Cicatelli and Funke Oyewo/e tell of the epic climb up Mt Kilimanjaro to promote better hea/thcare. O ur initial five hour walk carbohydrates. We reluctantly was pleasant, not too ate the staple dinner of soup, strenuous and gave little bread, pasta and rice, chicken, foretaste of the rigors to come. and vegetables and tea and fell The weather was warm and into bed exhausted around 8:30 humid and most climbers wore pm. shorts and T~ shirts as we walked The third phase to Kibo hut through rain forest. The path was presented a more arduous jour­ strewn with tree roots which cre­ ney over rocky hills and ated natural steps and a canopy through a high altitude desert of trees obscured the sky. It was called the Saddle. Altitude sick­ very important to walk slowly to ness was affecting more and allow our bodies to adjust to the more climbers and we had to altitude and to acclimatize. make stops to tend to col­ "Pole, Pole" ("slowly, slowly" leagues vomiting or suffering in Swahili) was a constant Set to climb: ('I to r) Gilbert Mliga, Ok Pannenborg,Anna Muganda. Peter Obiero,Joas from diarrhea. refrain. Rugemalila, Hores Msaky.Jay Glasser, Neelam Sekhri. Funke Oyewole. Carol Kibo hut (15,500 feet) - a This was no mere walk in the Zimmerman, Richard Hoehn. Richard Feachem. Gina Cicatelili. Bertha Maega large, stone cabin with no run­ forest, but a determined team effort by the huts in time for dinner. Our extra clothes ning water and no heat was very unwel­ World Bank and other international health were packed in an empty rice or coffee coming. We added several layers of cloth­ organizations to climb Kilimanjaro, sack which our porters carried on their ing to ward off the cold. Our assault on the Africa's highest mountain, as both a sym­ heads. Our chief guide, Emmanuel, at 67 summit started at 1 am, in the pitch dark. bolic and a practical demonstration of the years of age is the oldest guide working on The argument for climbing in the dark was need to work together to put health on the Kilimanjaro. To put our trek into perspec­ that the sunrise from the summit was daz­ top of Africa's agenda as a social and eco­ tive, he has climbed the mountain more zling; but we concluded that the real reason nomic necessity. than 3,000 times. was that if we saw the ascent we were about The team's mission was to raise global After four hours on the second day on to make, it would be too intimidating. awareness of African health issues such as our way to Horombo hut (3,760m, 12,335 The ascent took a grueling eight hours Three team members reach Uhuru Peak - Africa's highest point malaria. HIV/AIDS, and reproductive feet) we emerged into an alpine meadow. health to economic development in Africa. The vegetation was sparse grass, thistles, The climb was initiated by Richard and pine trees. As we climbed higher, the Feachem of the Bank, who has long been trail became steeper and littered with boul­ looking to raise global awareness of ders and stones. Walking sticks provided African health issues. The 8th International by the hotel proved essential. The higher Congress of the World Federation of Public we climbed, the thinner the vegetation Health Associations in Arusha, Tanzania, became and the first effects of altitude held immediately after our climb, provided sickness - shortness of breath, dizziness, this opportunity. Besides the Bank, there and nausea - were experienced by some were climbers from civil society, health despite having taken Diamox medication experts and NGOs. We carried messages of to prevent altitude sickness. support from athletes Florence Griffin Horombo hut was blanketed in a thick Joyner and Tom McMillen as well as other miSl t as by now we were way up in the distinguished international figures and clouds. Many climbers were experiencing groups. altitude sickness and lethargy. Most people The pattern for the five day trek was were too exhausted to eat dinner, but in established: walking for 5-7 hours each order to maintain our energy, it was very day, with a break for lunch, arriving at the important to consume healthy portions of After dawn, moving stowly to the crater rim Approaching the Saddle with Kilimanjaroin view November 10, 1997 5 up a zig-zag trail, our steps coming more slowly as the air got thinner the higher we climbed. Snow and ice also slowed us. Several climbers succumbed to acute mountain sickness and two had to descend after three hours. Climbers broke into separate groups as those less affected by the altitude moved ahead with confidence and those hav­ ing difficulty breathing reduced their pace. The first group reached the top after six and a half hours, two hours before the last group. Peter Obiero, a Kenyan marathon runner, was .. the first to reach Gillman's Point and he proceeded, unguid­ ed, along the crater rim to Uhuru Peak (5,895 m, 19340 ft). Peter returned to Gillman's, where the other members of the team had assembled and joined in the unfurling of the health message banners. It was particularly exhilarating for Ok Pannenborg to reach the summit as he is a distant relative of Gillman. Peter returned to Uhuru with the oldest and youngest members of the team - Jay Glasser and Blasto Ogindo, while the rest started their descent from Gillman's. The descent from Gillman's (4 hours) and Uhuru (6 hours) proved as challenging as the ascent; some climbers suffered minor injuries including sprained ankles, and severe sun- and wind-bum. In spite of a couple of hours sleep at Kibo, the trek to Horombo hut was tough. Upon reaching 'the hut, many of us were simply too exhausted to eat dinner and wanted to get as much rest. The next morning, three climbers were physically unable to continue by foot. One - with sprained ankles - was brought down on a bicycle stretcher and two - with leg and knee injuries - were brought down in ambulances. Nevertheless, our goal had been achieved. The debate on the need to move African health to the top of development agendas had begun and the conference which followed in Arusha, provided a perfect forum for highlighting our mes­ sages. The climb was slow and steady but with perseverance and mutual support, our team reached the top. In the same way, progress in health in Africa may be slow and steady, but with determination and international collaboration, the goals can be reached. The team would like to thank Mylene Donimgo (at head­ quarters), Malayah Harper, Miriam Mirasol, Susan Sebastian and Wandia Gicharu and Uba Mannoro in Nairobi and Dar es Salaam. Without them, we could not have taken one step. Photos by Richard Feachem & Blasto Ogindo Jay Glasser (APHA) takes a break by the summit glacier Mission accomplished: the high altitude health team unfurls the central message at Gillman's Point Neelam outside an Aframe at Horombo Gina, Funke and Neelam Sekhri (Healthcare Redesign Group) make their way up the mountain with two porters in the mist 6 November 10, 1997 I .•. ARTS • __ ARTS ... ARTS ... ARTS ... ARTS ... ARTS ... ARTS .•. ARTS ... ARTS ... M ar Faye has been described by his But even the young Mar Faye was growing number of supporters as obviously struggling to find his own place o Africa's Vincent van Gogh. There and yearned for his independent expres­ are indeed several tempting similarities in sion. His earliest works have strong ele­ the two painters' lives - their confinement ments of experiment and fantasy which is in mental institutions, their obsessive paint­ lacking in the Negritude artists of the '5 AY ing and the fact that, although their talent Dakar School. His only solo exhibition was recognized! while they were alive, their during his lifetime was held in 1976 at the real reputations were won after their deaths. French cultural center in Dakar and there­ renovv grovvs But it is grossly misleading, especially to after he withdrew from the official art Mor Faye, to build a critical essay compar­ own space and time. world and, from 1979, spent much of his ing the two artists. They were men of their time as "artist in residence" in a mental institution. after his deat:h The exhibition of the Senegalese artist He never stopped painting. Perhaps per­ that the World Bank is currently showing* versely, the narrow walls of the institution Apartheid Mort, Vive L'Afrique, painted in There is much more to Mor Faye than this. quickly reveals this. Mar Faye's imagina­ allowed him both the time to work and free­ 1982 draws grim attention to the iniquities Behind the swirls of color, complicated, tion revolved feverishly far and wide dom to develop his independence untram­ of apartheid. It shows shadowy black figures sometimes whimsical, sometimes evidently beyond sunflowers and pastoral scenes. His meled by the strictures of the society and with guns firing at the pink figure of political, sometimes almost nightmarish, work is altogether more contemporary, official art establishment. His work also Apartheid. But of the two other figures with- was a mind trying to express many complex more radical and more politicized - as his shows that although Mar Faye was con­ and mixedup feelings. His Exposition Mar life was. The World Bank art program has fined to an institution, his mind was still Faye, painted in 1983 and 1984 and cho­ taken an important step forward in putting alive and roaming freely and he was weB sen for the cover of the catalogue, shows on such a vivid this troubled self-portrait, as if he could and thought-pro­ not get his ideas out fast enough, and they voking exhibition, are a jumble that outsiders will only be a stepping stone able to fathom partially. on its own journey Even his paintings that used tradition­ to offering the al African themes, such as those depict­ Bank as a platform ing masks, are complicated with conflict­ for artists from the ing images fighting for space. Mor Faye third world. reached out both to Africa and to the Mar Faye's life West. His use of collage, seen in two was short. He died works in this exhibition, L'OAU sauvee from malaria in and In Memoria, shows not just the mas­ 1984 at the age of tery of techniques but his sense of art his­ 37 in a psychiatric tory and also biting political comment. hospital. But he The major problem with the exhibi­ left behind 800 tion is the space given to it. It appeared at paintings, so the 32 first in the front of the MC atrium before in the Bank exhibi­ the security gates, where it was impres­ tion are a small sively displayed on nicely designed pan­ Apartheid Mort, Vive L'Afrique, 1982 selection. His artis­ els. But it was there for less than a week tic journey began before it had to be taken down and split at the age of 14 when he enrolled in the in two to be transported to the ] building department of fine arts at Dakar's Ecole des and MC fourth floor. If the Bank is to win Arts where he studied Western art from clas­ a serious reputation as a host of art exhi­ Untitled, 1981 sicism to modernism. Having earned a mas­ bitions something needs to be done to ter's degree he made his debut in 1966, out guns, one has a red smear dripping make proper space available. One answer when he was 19, in Tendances et Confronta­ from its nose and the other, bearing the would be to use the actual atrium itself. tions, an exhibition which was an articula­ banner Vive L 'Afrique is limp and lifeless. Especially since the acoustics are bad and tion of the aesthetic philosophy of Negritude What is the most remarkable, even in therefore town hall meetings are virtually promoted by Leopold Sedar Senghor, Sene­ this small selection is the variety of Mar impossible, using part of the atrium for art Artemis Zenatou (I) and Regine Boucard with gal's president. Negritude encouraged artists Faye's work, his use of different tech­ would foster a meeting place atmosphere. Exposition Mor Faye to use the formal structure of Western mod­ niques and the intense whirligig of his feel­ * To be seen for the next year on the fifth ernism, but to fill their paintings with their aware of the burning political and social ings. His was clearly a very full but very floor of the J building and the fourth floor own cultural heritage, including African art issues not just in Senegal but well beyond. troubled mind. It is not just his ability to of the MC and ritual. One of his most famous works, marry Western styles with Mrican themes. - KEVIN RAFFERTY ... BOOKS ... BOOI{S ... BOOKS ... BOOI(S ... BOOKS ... BOOKS ... BOOKS ... BOOKS P'P: A RIDDLE WRA, ED IN A MYSTERY INSIDE AN ENIGMA W inston Churchill in wartime 1939 large extent on how far the Russians are able of creating a national identity. He is better "adrift, unpredictable and corrupt". famously refused to predict what to confront their own recent history; and this and certainly more thorough in describing He laments that modem Russia no longer Russia would do. "I cannot fore­ must entail the recognition that, however the days of Peter the Great - who built his has the moral authority that Andrei Sakharov cast to you the action of Russia. It is a riddle much the people were dreams the wrong way used to provide until he died in December wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma," he oppressed by it, the round - and Catherine ­ 1989. He then quotes Sergei Kovalyov, declared. Even today many so called expert Soviet system grew up whose "empire was kept Sakharov's protege as saying: 'The quality commentators on Soviet and Russian affairs in Russian soil... 'And financially afloat on the of democracy depends on the quality of the have failed to predict accurately what would the people remained proceeds of the drunken­ democrats. We have to wait for a critical happen in the post Cold War turmoil and dis­ silent' was a Russian ness of the people" - than mass to accumulate of people with democra­ solution of the erstwhile Soviet empire. proverb - and it on the Soviet period, which tic principles. It's like a nuclear explosion: The lingering Western affection for describes much of gets less space. the critical mass has to accrue. Without this, Mikhail Gorbachev long after he was burned Russian history." He But any idea that cre­ everything will be like it is now, always in out politically at home; the ability of Boris pleads, wisely, for ation of a Russian national fits and starts." Sadly, Remnick notes, Kova­ Yeltsin to stay at the helm; the zigzag path of greater democracy, identity would remove all lyov these days is to be found in the pages of economic reforms have all seen pundits con­ "both as a source of the problems of autocracy the New York Review of Books rather than in founded. freedom and of social and backwardness would Izvestia. Orlando Figes in his massive, command­ justice, lest the disad­ be questioned after read­ A People's Tragedy: A History of the ing, but highly readable work on the 1917 vantaged and the disil­ ing David Remnick's new Russian Revolution by Orlando Figes; Revolution has some advice addressed to lusioned reject it book. It begins uncertain­ Viking; $39.95; 923 pages. Russians as well as to outside commentators. again." Lenin's final days ly, as if he is convinced Russia: People and Empire by Geof­ His concluding words are: 'The ghosts of In his much broader sweep of Russian that he could not write another book as frey Hosking; Harvard University Press; 1917 have not been laid to rest." He asserts history, Geoffrey Hosking goes back to the good as his Pulitzer prize-winning Lenin's $29.95; 548 pages. that Russians have been too quick to see first empire-building by Muscovy in October Tomb. But then Remnick's reporter's nose Resurrection: The Struggle for a New themselves as victims. "But Russia's 1552 to argue that the rulers of Russia put for a good story leads him to present a live­ Russia by David Remnick; Random prospects as a democratic nation depend to a 300 years of empire-building at the expense ly guide to the ways of power in Russia, House; $25.95; 400 pages. November 10, 1997 7 BAIRD PROMISES HELP ON TASK MANAGER OVERLOAD Managing director front line; reducing overheads and radical proposals of KPMG. The some countries with more capacity, Sven Sandstrom and bureaucracy; and improving the consultants would have cut space we should let them do it." vice president Mark quality of services. further. "They feel we are still too KPMG would also have cut the Baird (left) last week Baird told Bank's World that far above business standards. H we numbers of support staff. The con­ told staff that the Cost "some of the things in the paper like are really having a smaller head­ sultants said the Bank has three Effectiveness Review budget reform, information systems quarters, we should shrink further. people above grade 17 for each one (CER), done in coopera­ renewal should help the culture They would have been tougher on below; they recommended moving tion with KPMG change and in the end they may be the governance of non-operational, to 5:1 and said that the standard for Associates, will support more important than the very direct non-lending services, such as EDI consulting organizations is 10: l. the vision of the action on office space. Senior man­ and DEC, tougher on trust funds to Baird expressed his concern Strategic Compact and agement has to provide an enabling provide untied truly flexible funding about ''task manager overload: if it is produce a stronger, environment to encourage staff to for the budget." not solved, everything else we do is more effective Bank be more cost-conscious and all of us In addition, KPMG would have not going to be appreciated or to help delivering better ser­ have to be more willing to show how reduced project preparation. "They change the culture of the Bank. I am vices at lower cost. The that contributes to the mission of the feel we overdo project preparation," now totally convinced we have over­ goals are: increasing Bank and celebrate it." added Baird, ''but we feel it is a key programmed our task managers and productivity; getting He added that the Bank manage­ part of the service the Bank pro­ have to make decisions about what more resources to the ment had resisted some of the more vides, although we accept that in we are not going to be doing." Teamwork is the name of the game Open space 'changed our lives' Maris O'Rourke's face lights up when you ask her about use THE SINGLE most controversial issue ings. But even after the squeeze Bank individual space, though obviously of open office space. "It has changed our lives," she says giving in the CER is the $32 million savings staff will have an average of 120 there are some jobs where privacy may her emphatic support to the move from enclosed private offices. chalked up for fiscal year 01 by better square feet of space each, higher than be vital to getting the work done. 'The main shift has been to more teamwork, to come together use of real estate. News that this will be most of corporate America (see table). The experience of the IFC building, in teams. Using all the space, we get things done more quickly." achieved by removing some of the pri­ The solution is to make better use where open offices are the rule for two The director in HDD does not have a tiny walled office but vate offices that even junior managers of space. Enter Mieko Nishimizu. "We thirds of the staff, may be instructive. shares a large open area with glass walls with other managers. have come to expect and placing half have found a sponsor who is very Eunice Jaso from IFC notes that some O'Rourke and her team of 35 on the third floor of the J build­ the staff in open areas has inspired hor­ interested in utilizing space as a cata­ people murmured that they would quit ing \oYere the initial guinea pigs for the move to open space. ror stories that staff are going to be lyst for change," adds Descaire. The rather than share space, but most pe0- Though some of her staff rebelled at turned into repressed Dilberts. South Asia vice president and her 350 ple have now got used to the open annoyances such as the lack of priva­ The prospect too of greater use of strong department will from next year environment, "though I can hear every­ cy, increased noise, the fear that "hotelling" - putting staff who do not move into a new area in the E building thing my boss is saying," she adds. IFC everyone could see through the glass have regular headquarters jobs into with a more open environment to see has given most of those in open offices to read what they were typing on anonymous offices into which their how it can help the work. access to the natural light - unlike in their computers, O'Rourke responds files and equipment will be brought ''We have set aside time to find out the Bank where the enclosed offices that the proof is in the perfonnance from central storage - and the stage what works and where we will have to tend to get the natural light leaving the - more teamwork, better productiv­ has been set for making the Bank like adjust;' promises Wessmann, saying support staff in the open but in the ity, faster decisions. Efficiency over privacy any other big US corporation, so the that staff input is vital before space gloom. 1bis has encouraged a shift in To her, teamwork is enhanced by critics contend. The Staff Association changes become universal. He notes favor of open space. -BW Reporter being close together: "You may overhear someone on the phone quotes Business Week that "cubicles that Japan, one of the asking a question to which you have the answer now hold 35 million of the 45 million world's most successful Estimated potential annual savings from CER and can provide it immediately." Other people white collar employees in the US." modem economies, and (FY97 $ million) FY98 FY99 FYOO FYO I may shun such action as an invasion of privacy, Frondine activities 2 25 41 57 Carl Wessmann, chief of facilities many fast-growing but O'Rourke asks the question - which is the Project pipeline management 14 14 14 management, and Luis Descaire, act­ American companies, Economic and sector work 3 8 13 more important, the performance and efficiency ing director of general services depart­ the emphasis is on work­ Lending process 2 3 8 14 of the organization or the privacy of the individ­ ment, respond that there is no cause ing as a team and not on Supervision and procurement 5 II 16 ual. In her small group, ''We initially kept two Baddine activtties 22 46 8l 113 for alann. The guiding Overheads, etc. in operations 4 10 16 22 small rooms for private meetings or for making SQUARE FOOTAGE factor, says Descaire Resource management I 2 4 undisturbed telephone conversations, but they is "that we will not COOPERS & LYBRAND Systems renewal 5 13 21 were so little used we gave them up." Partner 135 sf office Publications 5 8 9 extend any of the She adds that senior managers are already Sr. manager 100 sf office Real estate 7 10 21 32 Bank's leases beyond Manager 80 sf open plan workstation Treasury I 3 4 well rewarded by differences in grade and pay, their expiration." This Professional 80 sf open plan workstation Reductions in central units' budgets 9 II 17 18 and questions whether a hierarchy of office means that there will Adm inistrator 64 sf open plan workstation Medical benefits 2 3 3 3 space is needed in addition. Other people will be a 20 percent reduc­ Total savings per CER 24 71 124 170 DISNEY Use of CER savings: clearly need convincing of the superiority that tion in overall space Vice President 150 sf office Reallocation within frontline 2 25 41 57 open space can bring to teamwork. But to and 1,300 work sta­ Director 150 sf office Redeployment from backline to front (4) II 56 93 O'Rourke, planning of the office space should tions will come from Professional 81 sf open plan workstation Reallocation within backline 26 35 27 20 begin not with the individual but with the job to Administrator 81 sf open plan workstation Savings per Strategic Compact 24 51 79 120 leased to Bank build- be done and the space built around that. STAFF ASSOCIATION ... STAFF ASSOCIATION ... STAFF ASSOCIATION ... STAFF ASSOCIATION Is management giving us cookie-cutter solutions? World Bank senior manage­ in its rhetoric about changing from ual space will enhance teamwork. The Bank needs to avoid it gives to client countries: a lot ment likes to say publicly that the lifetime employment to job securi­ Some of these changes may be falling into the trap of manage­ of good analysis; carefully intro­ Bank Group is a unique institution, ty based on performance. excellent for American business. ment theory trendiness, where duced, manageable, custom­ a knowledge Bank with special In setting up cross-functional They are being touted by expen­ dubious changes are sold with designed change; and no cookie­ experience and expertise to offer teams, the Bank is mimicking sive management consulting quickly accepted buzzwords cutter solutions please. The Bank clients. However, in the new poli­ dozens of Fortune 500 compa­ finns and taught in prestigious ("teamwork," "culture change," would not try to apply exactly cies being instituted on everything nies. Matrix management is the MBA courses. But are they right ''flattening management struc­ the same Country Assistance from downsizing to work spaces, latest idea in some private sector for the Bank? ture"). Even the best educated and Program to Nigeria as to one notices that the Bank seems to firms, along with the related the­ The Bank is far from the aver­ most thoughtful among us can Albania. Why should senior be rather slavishly following cur­ ory that internal contracting age U.S. corporation. Its work is sometimes accept poorly tested managers try to apply to the rent practice in the largest makes units within the matrix intellectual, international, and non­ theory for reality. Bank the same management the­ American companies. more competitive. profit. It's guided by ever-shifting Making NO changes in the ories (and they are theories only) The top example is the Bank's Even the tighter, less private theory on what prompts economic Bank is equally unacceptable. in vogue at Ford Motors or enthusiasm for downsizing. There workspaces that will soon be growth and reduces poverty. Its The Staff Association supported Allstate Insurance? has been a feeding frenzy among introduced to Bank staff strongly bottom line and results are some­ the Strategic Compact because If you see a cookie cutter solu­ u.S. private companies to down­ resemble new space configura­ times subtle and difficult to mea­ we agreed with President tion coming at you and believe size (although now labor markets tions instituted by Goodyear Tire, sure; witness the fact that more Wolfensohn that the Bank Group you can suggest a better one, are tight and the same companies Apple Computer, IBM, Dow than a year was needed to hanuner itself was in danger from shifting please share with the Staff are competing for new employ­ Chemical, Merck Pharmaceuti­ out the current Operational Policy outside forces and needed to Association the solution that you ees). Second, the Bank has fol­ cal, and some other finns. The and Procedures statements on pro­ change and adapt. would propose. E-mail Fred W. lowed American business closely theory is that having less individ- ject evaluation. What the Bank needs is what Wright or Staff Association. 8 November 10, 1997 United Way to Help DC starts ovember 17 But the by Al DraUell eigners in the US, contribute to those in the local community Hadar noted that in the past PEOPLE NEED your help-and an organization that benefIts the who lack the wherewithal to help some staff hesitated to contribute Washington metropolitan area? themselves. because of the scandal involving appetizers you can make a difference. That's the message from Yosef Hadar, community relations offi­ Hadar had a ready answer: "We are all residents of this communi­ ty. Our visa status does not mat­ the head of the United Way of America, the trade association for the local United Ways across the begin cer and the Bank's coordinator for the United Way. The 1997 ter. We raise our families here, and we take advantage of the US. For severa] years, United Way tomorrow campaign kicks off November 17 same services that are avail­ of the Let's do snacks Tuesday, and concludes December 31. able to US citizens, such as November 11, and Wednesday, "This is the fIrst time we will public school education, November 12, in the MC Atrium. have a 'compact campaign,'" using the public libraries, From noon to 2 p.m. each day, noted Hadar. In previous years, museums such as the National the World BanklUnited Way fund raising for United Way Smithsonian, etc. And, as Capital executive committee will sponsor extended for three months or long as we are residents Are a , a United Way Agency Fair. of this which had ''We want to let staff know communi­ been send­ how their money works in the ty, we ing one cent community, and they will have an h a v e of each dol­ opportunity to meet 16 beneficia­ so me lar raised to ry organizations of United Way, social the national, eight each day;' said Yosef Hadar. responsibilities. stopped this Each day, staff who attend "We enjoy what money we practice. With the fair will be given a passport the community donate goes directly the head of the with the names of organizations. provides us. Occa­ to projects; the rest is are ear­ trade association They will visit each of the repre­ sionally, Bank staff marked for administrative costs in prison, controls sentatives and have them stamp and their families for the United Way of the Nation­ were put in place to ensure that the passport. Upon completion may also seek al Capital Area. Staff will indi­ something like this does not of the passports, staff will drop assistance from the cate to which of the more than recur. N ow, the Washington them in a designated box. Three agencies the Unit­ 940 agencies in the region they group has resumed its dues, cut­ prizes will be awarded each day ed Way supports, want to contribute. They can ting them to less than one cent to winners whose name will be such as the Boy choose a payroU deduction or pay per dollar. drawn randomly. Scouts, the Girl the entire amount by check. Staff Hadar is assisted as United On November 11, the repre­ Scouts, and the who contribute can also partici­ Way coordinator by an executive sentatives will be from AIDS longer, but by concentrating it American Red Cross. pate in the raffle of exciting committee comprised of staff Program of Whitman-Walker into less then two "people will be "The World Bank is the third prizes." throughout the Bank Group. Clinic, Catholic Charities of more focused. largest employer in Washington, Capital Area Com­ "Our goal is to increase staff Washington, DC, and World ited Way Con- munity Food Bank, ISA (Doctors participation this year, and by staff, through the cam­ without Borders), House of doing this we will ultimately paign, can give some­ PERSON EXT. BLDG. Ruth, Martha's Table, National increase the number of dollars thing back to the com­ Michael Diliberti CoordinatorNolunteer Manager 38766 J-9009 Children's Center, and Expand­ raised," Hadar added. In 1996, munity. United Way Peter Williams Training Coordinator 30980 MCI-355 ing Horizons. only 31 percent of staff partici­ agencies assist one of Morallina George Communications Coordinator 31826 UII-OI7 On November 12, the repre­ pated, donating $314,000. The three people in the Thelma Jones AgencyTours Coordinator 80918 UII-024 sentatives will be from National greatest staff participation, 70 region who need help. Zena Soudah Special Events Coordinator 31806 UII-OIO MultiCultural Institute, Rachel's percent, occurred in 1991, and All of us in the Bank Donna Clark Audiovisual Coordi nator 8+473 G8-077 Women's Center, SOME (So the largest one-year total raised are committed to alle­ Lemlem Bereket Envelope Distribution Coordinator 88001 MC-C3-416 Others May Eat), Spanish Edu­ was $427,000 three years later. viating poverty in the YosefHadar Campaign and Raffle Coordinator 31 791 UII-OI9 cation Center, United Black "So, you see," Hadar added, "we Third World, and we Matthew Kapszukiewlcz Loaned Executive 488-2144 Fund, United Negro College Speakers Cheri Bennett 81354 have a way to go." can carryover this Fund, United Way, and Chil­ Thelma Jones 80918 But why should Bank staff, lofty goal to helping dren's Hospita1 Foundation. Yosef Hadar 31791 the majority of whom are for­ make life better for In addition to meeting the representatives and dining on snacks and beverages, staff will u be entertained by the Jazz Con­ nection on November 11 and the 1 Bank's Children's Center Cho­ rus and the Bank's Fitness Group demonstrating its pro­ gram the following day. ''The events will be the per­ fect kick-otT to the important annual United Way campaign," said Hadar. ''We hope to see you there." -AI Drattell Human Resources (HRS) is sponsoring two Town Hall meetings for all Bank Group staff on Pension Reform. BANK'S W@1RID World Bank Group 1818 H street, NW DATE TIME VENUE Washington, DC 20433 Phone: 473-2211 Fax: 522-2477 Wednesday, November 19 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Preston Auditorium Editor Kevin Rafferty Design Editor Alexandra Tuller Thursday, November 20 2:30 - 4:00 p.m. Preston Auditorium Contributing Editor AI Drattell Contributors I MAKING THE DIFFERENCE Learn the current thinking on a new pension system and Gina Cicatelli. Morallina George, Yoser Hadar. Phil Hay. Funke Oyewole BY INVESTING IN PEOPLE give your views on the work in progress. Bank's World is a publication for the staff of the World Bank Group and is published by the vice-pres­ idency for fJllCmaI Affairs. The views expressed in Bank ',f l4h rld are thule of ilS wrileni and do nol nec­ essarily reflect the position of the World Bank: Group, the members of its Board ofExecutive Direc­ tors, or the countries they rcpn=nt. Bank's World reserves the right to edit all ankles L before publication. Please send suggestions to Banks World. Story ideas and submissions are wel­ come. but are subject to selection and editing.