5.64 linear feet of textual records

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.

Records are subject to the World Bank Access to Information Policy.

Records are subject to the Copyright Policy of the World Bank Group.

• See Records of the Europe and Central Asia Regional Vice Presidency (WB IBRD/IDA ECA) for a small amount of correspondence records created by Thalwitz toward the end of his tenure as PRESV that were brought with him to his subsequent position as Europe and Central Asia Vice President (ECA).

Internal World Bank Group Archives rules based on ISAD(G).

9 December 2025