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This series primarily consists of subject files collected and maintained during Wilfried Thalwitz's tenure as Senior Vice President for Policy, Research, and External Affairs (PRESV) from 1990 and 1991. A smaller amount of subject files were created during W. David Hopper's time as Senior Vice President for Policy, Planning and Research (PPRSV) from 1987 to 1989. Additionally, a portion of the records relating to the Soviet Union and the Joint Study of the Soviet Economy (JSSE) were created and maintained by John A. Holsen in his capacity as Joint Study team leader. Records include memoranda, telexes, letters, journal articles, committee records, Board of Director meeting records, budget information, personnel records, and reports.

The series consists of records relating to the PRESV oversight of each of the vice presidencies and departments that comprised the PRESV complex, especially the Development Economics Vice Presidency (DEC) and the External Affairs Department (EXT). These records primarily consistof correspondence with vice presidents and directors reporting to Wilfried Thalwitz as PRESV.

Records also relate to a variety of diverse topics, including: World Bank Group (WBG) support for the creation of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD; includes Ibrahim F. I. Shihata's report The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development: A Comparative Analysis of the Constituent Agreement); private sector development; the International Finance Corporation (IFC); the Gulf crisis; PRESV retreats; the Tropical Forestry Action Plan (TFAP); and the World Development Report (WDR).

Correspondence, reports, and meeting materials relating to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) are included in this series. Records date from November 1990 to November 1991 and relate to the Facility's initial financing agreements, operational policies, and project identification.

The series also includes records dating from October to December 1989 relating to a "fine-tuning" of the 1987 Bank-wide reorganization that was initiated by President Conable in the fall of 1989. The implications of this exercise for PPRSV are discussed extensively, as are changes in other Bank units. Records include correspondence, proposals, drafts, meeting materials, and staff lists.

This series also includes subject files related to Thalwitz's work as chairman of the Budget Process Task Force. The task force was created by President Conable in April 1989 to "enhance the transparency, simplicity, and effectiveness of budget practices in the Bank." Records date from April to November 1989 and include correspondence between Thalwitz and Conable, communication with task force members, meeting materials, draft reports, the final report submitted to Conable, and related materials.

Records relating to the WBG's work with the Soviet Union in 1990 and 1991 are also included in this series. The majority of these records date from the latter half of 1990 and relate to the WBG's contribution to the 1990 Joint Study of the Soviet Economy (JSSE). The JSSE was undertaken in collaboration with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). The JSSE's final report was published in 1991. Records consist of: chronological files; minutes and notes of meetings with Soviet officials and personal representatives of joint study organizations; mission logistics and administrative documents; draft contributions to reports; reference material; press reports; and the final report. A smaller amount of records relating to the WBG's technical assistance program's engagement with the Soviet Union is also included.

This series consists of the memoranda, letters, and other materials sent and received by W. David Hopper during his tenure as Senior Vice President for Policy, Planning and Research (PPRSV) and Wilfried Thalwitz during his tenure as Senior Vice President for Policy, Research and External Affairs (PRESV).

Hopper's correspondence dates from June 1987 to November 1989 and is with both internal and external individuals and organizations. External correspondence is with country officials, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), academic and research institutions, bilateral and multilateral development organizations, and others. Internal correspondence is with staff from units overseen by PPRSV as well as other WBG units. Notably, a significant portion of incoming correspondence is addressed to World Bank Group (WBG) President Barber Conable and was subsequently forwarded to PPRSV for response.

Key topics and activities discussed in the correspondence include:

• Poverty and family planning programs, with a focus on women

• The WBG's new environmental initiative, including both appreciation and criticism of its environmental role, especially regarding rain forests and indigenous peoples (notably, this includes discussion and staffing of the new Environment Department [ENV] in the Sector Policy and Research Vice Presidency [PREVP], which reported to PPRSV)

• Agricultural development, including genetic research and the application of developmental agriculture in Africa

• Administrative details relating to PPRSV

• The Bank-wide reorganization of 1987

• Review of work by vice presidencies and departments reporting to PPRSV

• Internal and external information sharing

• The WBG budget process

Records relating to hiring solicitations and conference participation are also included.

The series also contains a small amount of correspondence sent and received by Hopper in his capacity as chairman of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) and the Special Program for African Agricultural Research.

The Thalwitz correspondence dates from November 1989 to May 1991; note that correspondence from June 1991 to the end of his tenure as PRESV in November 1991 is not included. The correspondence primarily consists of outgoing correspondence and is with institutions and individuals both external to and within the WBG. Correspondence to non-WBG recipients typically consists of responses to invitations for conferences and meetings organized by other international development organizations and researchinstitutes. Internal memoranda are largely addressed to President Conable, Operations Senior Vice President Moeen Qureshi, and senior managers within the PRE complex.

Subjects covered in Thalwitz's correspondence include: environmental issues with emphasis on tropical forests and the Tropical Forest Action Plan (TFAP); private sector development; preparations for the Soviet Union's membership in the World Bank; gender and development; and the Energy Strategy Management Assistance Program (ESMAP). Records reflect engagement with external groups and organizations including the United Nations, the Uruguay Round, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the European Community, NGOs, and the Development Committee. Meeting briefs and reviews of PRESV research reports and policy papers are also included. Administrative matters discussed in the correspondence include budget allocations, business plans, work programs, personnel and compensation, and the McNamara Scholarship Fund.

A small amount of correspondence sent and received by Thalwitz as chairman of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) is also included.

Fonds consists of correspondence and subject files created and maintained by the Policy, Planning and Research Senior Vice Presidency (PPRSV) and Policy, Research and External Affairs Senior Vice Presidency (PRESV). Records include correspondence and other materials relating to units that reported to PPRSV / PRESV (such as DEC, EXT, and others) as well as to other units in the WBG and organizations external to the institution.