World Bank Launches Ipad Application
The World Bank (WB) introduces a new Ipad application in December 2011, with the aim of spreading its World Development Report (WDR) 2012.
The new app intends to provide quick access to the extensive material (around 120,000 documents) that the Bank has produced over the past decades. This new electronic tool will allow users to access more easily data on around 200 countries while considering more than 1,100 global economic indicators, but also to analyse information thanks to a specific Data Finder on issues such as Africa, climate change and gender.
This new idea is an attempt to present the projects of the WB in a more captivating and interactive way aimed at increasing the transparency, accessibility and circulation of WB material. Ideally, this initiative will contribute to engage the citizens for whom the WB works further—at least those in possession of appropriate technology—in order to strengthen their sense of ownership towards this institution. The question remains as to whether the new app will represent a first step to a more active dialogue between WB officials and world citizens bearing in mind that, as of 2010, the average number of internet users for every 100 people worldwide was 30,5.
Francesca Ghersenti (CSF) and Tina M. Zappile (Auburn University) for IDW. 19 January 2012.
Internet Users (per 100 people): World Bank 2010, available at: