The financial institutions' focus on generating economic growth without ensuring the concomitant increase in jobs, and the inequality this generates, is partly to blame for the waning public support for global economic integration.

Some of the world's top leaders in government and business convened this week, calling for educational reform in the Middle East and North Africa to help tackle rampant joblessness in the region.

Dr. Kim has the opportunity to set a new tone at the Word Bank by sending a firm message that the bank will not condone development by force, directly or indirectly.

Now the dust has settled, let's celebrate the race for the World Bank presidency. We had the highest quality field in history and a winner who just might manage to refocus the institution on the dominant challenge of development today: inequality.

As the World Bank's new president, Jim Yong Kim has the opportunity to lead the Bank into a new era by using its voice and resources to bridge the false divide between human rights and development.

This is a moment for Americans to recognize what Dr. Kim's work teaches us -- economic health depends upon healthy people and healthy communities.

The reaction to Jim Yong Kim's nomination from development economists and people experienced in the business of lending to poor countries has been overwhelmingly negative. They are making a big mistake. Mr. Kim would make an excellent World Bank president.

Jim Kim represents a break from the past -- as both his supporters and detractors agree -- and would surely steer the World Bank in new directions.

If Dr. Kim is selected as president of the World Bank, it would be the first time the professional experience of its leader matched its stated mission. His commitment to working with the very poor will help ensure the Bank focuses on its core mission.

The international development community is abuzz over President Obama's decision to nominate Dr. Jim Yong Kim to president of the World Bank. Yet it is striking how little attention has been paid to what, exactly, he should do over the coming years.

Banks must be managed properly. We know what happens when they are not. The United States has put its best foot forward by nominating the impressive Jim Yong Kim as World Bank president.

The opening up of the contest for World Bank president is a historic change whose significance has not been fully appreciated. This is not surprising, given the widespread misunderstanding of the IMF and World Bank.