Ankara, November 8, 2006—The World Bank Ankara Office and Turkey’s Economic Policies Research Center- Türkiye Ekonomi Politikaları Araştırma Vakfı (TEPAV) opened today the jointly run Information Center of the World Bank and TEPAV’s, inside TOBB-ETU University.
The opening ceremony was attended by World Bank, TEPAV, and TOBB officials. A Memorandum of Understanding- the formal document of partnership was signed by Güven Sak, Director of TEPAV and Andrew Vorkink, Country Director of the World Bank. TOBB President Rıfat Hisarcıklıoğlu witnessed the signing ceremony.
The Information Center in Ankara aims to make World Bank Group information available to the public in an effort to disseminate its work to the widest possible audience through TEPAV. This is in support of the World Bank's policy of disclosure about its activities and open access to its documents.
Information Center will serve as the central contact for individuals seeking information on Development issues and the World Bank operations, as well as recent World Bank related documents. The Center also provides online access to World Bank project documents, reports, and publications.
Through the Information Center, TEPAV and the World Bank will also plan, organize, and facilitate dialogues, consultations, and knowledge-sharing sessions among students, media, government, Civil Society, and other stakeholders.
On the occasion of the opening, World Bank Country Director Andrew Vorkink stated: “In today’s world sharing of information stimulates debate on and broadens understanding of development issues, and enhances transparency and accountability in the development process. Information sharing also improves the quality of development projects and programs especially in the type of work the World Bank is doing.” Vorkink continued: “In such an interdependent, global work environment, the World Bank since 2003 has been transforming its traditional archive libraries into Information Centers around the world in order to serve better its clients by sharing its accumulated knowledge and sources of information. We are extremely happy and honored today achieving this transformation for Turkey together with TEPAV. This Center aims at becoming one of the strongest focal points in the country when the issue is Development and we hope it will serve Turkey well”.
