關注社會:世界銀行屬於世界
Robert Zoellick announced on February 17 that he would not seek a second mandate as president of the World Bank. Little has been heard since from Washington or Brussels about possible replacements. Does this mean there is some hesitation in the US administration about which American to nominate? Or does it mean that the unwritten convention, Robert Zoellick announced on February 17 that he would not seek a second mandate as president of the World Bank. Little has been heard since from Washington or Brussels about possible replacements. Does this mean there is some hesitation in the US administration about which American to nominate? Or does it mean that the unwritten convention, allocating the leadership of the IMF and the Bank respectively to Europe and the US, is at last giving way to the idea that the World Bank should be managed by the most qualified person, whatever his or her origin?
羅伯特·佐利克(Robert Zoellick)在2月17日宣佈不再尋求連任世界銀行(World Bank)行長職務。從那以後，華盛頓和布魯塞爾對可能的接替人選都幾乎沒有做出任何表態。這是否意味着美國政府對提名哪個美國人有些猶豫？還是意味着國際貨幣基金組織(IMF)和世界銀行的領導職務分別由歐洲人和美國人擔任的不成文慣例終於開始鬆動，取而代之的觀點是世界銀行應當由最有資格的人領導，無論他來自哪個國家？
As chief economists and senior vice-presidents of the World Bank from 1997 to 2007, we urge the US administration and the international development community to end an outdated and counterproductive monopoly on selecting the head of that global institution. We believe it is time to adopt an open and efficient selection procedure, clearly open to candidates from developing countries. And it is time that the pious declarations of commitment to such a process showed some sincerity. To say it is merit-based, and to choose an American repeatedly, shows scant respect to the citizens of other countries.
作爲1997年至2007年間世界銀行的首席經濟學家和高級副行長，我們敦促美國政府和該國際發展機構，終止對這家全球性機構負責人選擇程序的壟斷，這種壟斷已經不合時宜，且產生了負面的作用。我們相信，採取一種公開、高效的，對發展中國家候選人明確開放的遴選程序的時機已經到來。對這樣一種程序的莊嚴承諾，現在也該顯示出一些誠意了。一邊聲稱遴選程序“任人唯賢”，一邊卻總是選擇美國人，並沒有對其他國家的公民顯示足夠的尊重。
Developed countries have a majority of voting shares in the World Bank and the IMF, and so control the leadership of these institutions. We are now close to the turning point where developing countries will represent half of real global output. They already drive global growth. More important, the developing countries represent 6bn of the 7bn world population.
發達國家在世界銀行和IMF中擁有多數的投票權份額，因而控制着這兩家機構的領導權。我們現在已經逼近發展中國家在全球實際經濟產出中貢獻一半的時刻。它們已經是全球經濟增長的推動力量。更重要的是，發展中國家代表着70億全球總人口中的60億人口。
Our recommendation is not to swap an arbitrary rule, by which the president of the World Bank must be American, for another, only slightly less arbitrary, by which he or she should come from a developing country. It is to allow the best people to be considered for that position, whatever their origin.
我們的建議並不是把一種隨意的規則（世界銀行行長必須是美國人），替換成另一種沒那麼隨意的規則（行長應當來自發展中國家），而是允許考慮讓最佳人選擔任行長職務，無論他來自哪個國家。
The developed countries have declared the importance of an "open, transparent and merit-based process" many times. They have recognised the importance of trust, credibility and collaboration in overcoming global challenges, particularly that of poverty. Yet when the moment comes for decision, they cannot resist the temptation to perpetuate the monopoly. This is not only hypocritical, it also destroys the trust and spirit of collaboration needed to manage the profound problems facing the world.
發達國家已經多次公開強調一種“開放、透明、任人唯賢”的程序的重要性。它們認識到，要想克服全球挑戰，尤其是貧困的挑戰，互信、公信力以及協作具有重要意義。然而到了做出決定的時刻，它們卻難以抵擋繼續壟斷的誘惑。這不僅虛僞，而且還會破壞應對當前世界面臨的深遠問題所需的信任和協作精神。
Developed countries' control of the selection process also discourages developing countries from putting forward a candidate who might have broad support among them. As a result, there is a risk that the choices offered the Executive Board will, in practice, be very limited.
發達國家對選擇程序的控制，也會打擊發展中國家提名本來可能在發展中國家中擁有廣泛支持的候選人的積極性。結果，提交給理事會(Executive Board)的候選人名單也會十分有限。
A more open procedure could rely, as with some other international organisations, on a small selection committee appointed by the board of the Bank. Its task would be to draw up a shortlist from candidates nominated by member countries or by others. The final choice would then be made by the World Bank's board according to its usual voting rules. This simple procedure would be consistent with the institution's present governance and with the plurality of well-qualified candidates.
更開放的程序，可以像其他國際組織一樣，依靠一個由世界銀行理事會任命的、小型的遴選委員會來執行，其任務將是從各成員國及其他各方提名的候選人中，挑選出入圍名單。最終人選則由世行理事會按照正常的投票規則確定。這個簡單的程序，既符合世界銀行當前的治理方式，也能實現勝任的候選人的多樣性。
Criteria for shortlisting candidates could be similar to those listed by the IMF board in the procedure that led to the appointment of Christine Lagarde: distinguished record as an economic policymaker, outstanding professional background, familiarity with banking and finance, diplomatic and managerial skills. In the case of the World Bank, solid knowledge and experience of development policy should be added to this list.
挑選入圍候選人的標準，與IMF理事會任命克里斯蒂娜·拉加德(Christine Lagarde)爲總裁的程序相似：作爲經濟政策制定者的傑出履歷、出色的專業背景、熟悉銀行和金融業、擁有外交和管理技巧。對於世界銀行而言，除了以上這些標準，還應加上在發展政策方面需具備紮實知識和豐富經驗這條要求。
This last requirement means that suitable candidates are more likely to come from developing countries, where there are leaders who combine the other qualifications with proven ability to put development into practice and international experience.
最後一項要求意味着合適的候選人更有可能來自發展中國家。發展中國家有一些領導者，既擁有其他領域的能力，在將發展政策應用到實踐方面又有公認的能力，同時還具有國際經驗。
We do not wish to name candidates; we simply note that there is an important principle at stake, that breaking it is destructive, that the appropriate criteria are reasonable and clear, and that there are first-class people from developing countries with skills and experience that are difficult to match. Let the competition be open; let the US and Europe live up to their words and let them behave as if it really is a World Bank.
我們不想給出候選人的名字。我們只是想指出，一個重要的原則正在動搖，如果這個原則被打破，會有破壞性的後果，恰當的選擇標準應當合理、明確，而且發展中國家擁有一些能力和經驗都令人難以匹敵的一流人才。競爭應當公開。美國和歐洲也應當遵守諾言。應當把世界銀行當作真正的“世界”銀行。
The writers are former chief economists and senior vice-presidents of the World Bank
作者曾任世界銀行首席經濟學家和高級副行長
譯者:王柯倫
