Series includes Desmond McCarthy's chronological files covering nearly his entire career at the World Bank, beginning just prior to his transfer from the Comparative Analysis and Projections Division of the Economic Analysis and Projects Department (EPDCA) in 1983 to his time as Economic Adviser in the Development Economics Vice Presidency (DECVP) in 1998. Records generally consist of correspondence and memoranda between McCarthy and World Bank colleagues. Correspondence between McCarthy and individuals and institutions external to the Bank are included in lesser number. A significant amount of correspondence relates to the exchange of articles and reports for information, research, and review purposes; as such, articles and reports in final or draft form often accompany correspondence. Terms of Reference and back-to-office reports relating to mission travel by McCarthy and colleagues are included, as is correspondence related to work programs and research projects.

Records created during McCarthy's time as an Economist in the Latin America and the Caribbean Vice Presidency (LCN) between 1985 and 1988 are plentiful and primarily relate to his work as country economist for Argentina. Records relate to McCarthy's authorship or review of Argentina's Country Program Paper (CPP) and Country Economic Memorandum (CEM) and related discussion and research on macro-economic issues including: trade, financial sector reform, public sector expenditure, economic recovery and growth, and debt management. Records also relate to a variety of new initiatives in Argentina including a Cofinancing Task Force, debt equity swaps, and a significant refinancing package. Records also include periodic economic updates on Argentina.

Records relating to McCarthy's time in the International Economic Analysis and Prospects Division (IECAP) of the International Economics Department (IEC) between 1988 and 1992 include research on and discussion of a variety of topics including: World Bank-International Monetary Fund (IMF) relationship; impacts of the 1990 Middle East crisis on development; global economic outlooks; global capital shortages; and the environment and the world economy.

Records relating to McCarthy's work as an Economic Adviser in the Development Policy Group (DPG) between 1992 and 1993 primarily relate to his contribution to and review of Country Strategy Papers (CSPs). Substantial records relating to CSPs for Kenya, Columbia, Chili, Bulgaria, Poland, and Indonesia are included in this series. Comments by McCarthy on drafts of CSPs for other countries are also included. Records relating to McCarthy's participation in Paris Club Meetings are also included.

Records relating to McCarthy's time as Economic Adviser to the Chief Economist and Development Economist Vice President (DECVP) between 1993 and 1999 primarily relate to his research efforts. Topics include: public sector expenditure; impacts of environment on trade and development economics; and guidance and review of Country Assistance Strategy papers (CAS). Briefs on a variety of topics and countries for senior DECVP staff (including Chief Economists Michael Bruno [1993-1996] and Joseph Stiglitz [1997-2000]) are also included.

Series relates to work Desmond McCarthy undertook as a consultant for the Quality Assurance Group (QAG) in 2004 and 2005.

Series includes records relating to a quality assessment of Non-Lending Technical Assistance (NLTA) conducted by the Quality Assurance Group (QAG) on which McCarthy served as a panelist in 2004. Records relating to assessments of the State Owned Bank Technical Assistance project in Romania and the Services Sector Census project in China are included. Records include background information on each project and QAG guidelines for the assessment process.

Records related to the QAG assessment of the Customs Modernization Handbook are also included in this series. The Handbook was intended to provide guidance to organizations and individuals involved in the preparation and implementation of customs modernization projects. Records include a copy of the handbook itself as well as comments on the Handbook and records related to the release and dissemination of the Handbook.

Series also includes records related to a 2003-2004 QAG review of analytical and advisory activities (AAA) primarily related to Bulgaria, including reviews of: public expenditure issues; rural development sector; Country Procurement Assessment Report (CPAR); and a national energy efficiency study. Records consist of background materials and guidance questionnaires: the latter often contain hand-written notes presumably made by McCarthy.

Series contains reports and articles authored by McCarthy in both published and draft form. Published materials are usually contained in publications or as published reports. Articles and reports date from throughout McCarthy's employment at the World Bank, including his time as a consultant after his 1999 retirement. A small number of articles contained in this series were published while McCarthy was affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the late 1970s. Topics of the articlesare wide-ranging, but generally relate to country economic profiles, consumer behavior in developing countries, and the agriculture and nutrition sectors.

Series also includes a number of reports published by the World Bank and authored by World Bank staff and consultants other than McCarthy. A small number of development-related speeches authored by individuals external to the World Bank are also included.

Records related to seminar attendance and participation by McCarthy are included in this series.Records include text and slides from presentations by both McCarthy and others. The most common topic of articles, reports, and conference materials is the environment and its effect on and role in development economics. Other topics include structural adjustment and country economic profiles.