Panel Continues with Small-Group Virtual Outreach Workshops on its Mandate, Operations

The Inspection Panel is continuing with its small-group virtual workshops to inform civil society and community representatives about the Panel’s mandate and operations. 
 
The Panel launched the virtual workshops last month with Panel members and staff working from home and unable to travel during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
On May 6, 2020, Panel Chair Imrana Jalal and Panel Member Mark Goldsmith met virtually with civil society representatives from Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria to explain the Panel’s history and its role, provide examples of the issues and outcomes from recent Panel cases, discuss changes to social and environmental accountability at the Bank recently approved by the Board of Executive Directors, and respond to questions on a variety of topics including the World Bank’s Indigenous Peoples Policy, how communities can access information on Bank projects and forms of redress, and the time eligibility for filing complaints.
 
Ms. Jalal had led a similar virtual workshop on April 21, 2020, with a small group of civil society representatives from southern Africa.  
 
The Panel is also organizing larger video workshops later in May with civil society representatives from the Middle East/North Africa and Latin America regions. The Latin America workshops are being organized with other independent accountability mechanisms. Please contact the Inspection Panel at ipanel@worldbank.org if you are interested in taking part in a virtual workshop.

The Panel will resume in-person workshops as the pandemic eases and the World Bank permits mission travel.