Several papers addressing culture and development have been made available on the World Bank website, in preparation for the Culture and Public Action conference, to be held in Washington, DC, June 30 - July 1. The papers, which bring together perspectives from distinguished economists, anthropologists and development practitioners, are concerned with understanding the relationship between culture and the development process, and examining the implications of this understanding for policy development, effectiveness and future policy-oriented research. According to organisers, the conference refers to 'development' and 'culture' in their broadest senses, with 'culture' defined as the basis of collective identity: 'the repertoire of attributes that distinguish groups from each other such as kinship, ritual, race, caste, taboo, collective memory, religion, aesthetics, and heritage.' Organisers have identified the need to develop new ways of conceptualising the role of culture in development, and new methods by which 'culture can be incorporated into public action for the reduction of poverty and inequality.' The papers may be viewed on the World Bank website at: www.worldbank.org/research/conferences/culture.htm