Describing how formerly secretive financial institutions have been slow to accept responsibility for the consequences of their investments - especially the problems that can result from projects in developing countries - she shows that financing institutions can cause significant social and environmental damage and argues that new accountability mechanisms are necessary to reduce or prevent such damage. Because such institutions operate on a global scale, only semi-judicial accounting mechanisms can provide the necessary accountability. It is time for the private financial sector to follow multilateral financial institutions in creating independent mechanisms, mediation procedures, and access to decision makers for people harmed or potentially harmed by projects financed by their institutions.

Maartje van Putten was a member of the European Parliament (1989-99) and the World Bank Inspection Panel (1999-2004). Currently, she is a part of the Independent Review Mechanism of the African Development Bank.

Maartje van Putten's profile page

"Remarkable and pioneering - given the mounting public attention to the global problems of development finance, [this book] will attract a very broad audience." Peter H. Sand, University of Munich
"The book is timely, well-written and insightful." Saskatchewan Law Review

"Remarkable and pioneering - given the mounting public attention to the global problems of development finance, [this book] will attract a very broad audience." Peter H. Sand, University of Munich

"The book is timely, well-written and insightful." Saskatchewan Law Review