Careful expansion
OECD faces a huge challenge of image. You insist that the organisation, known for its in-depth analyses and reliable statistics, aims to represent all relevant economies. Emerging countries, however, cultivate the impression that the OECD, despite its co-operation and development efforts well beyond its membership, is still the voice of "rich nations" only.
In order to change that, your enhanced engagement programme must be conducted with care, conciliating individual attention but still considering the five nations as a group*.
The Brazilian authorities, for instance, would feel much more comfortable joining OECD in the company of India and South Africa.
Gitânio Fortes, Folha de S.Paulo, Brazil
*Brazil, China, India, Indonesia, South Africa, see www.oecd.org/accession
©OECD Observer No. 272, April 2009
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