Accountability and Academia: Enriching Discourse on Accountability in Development through Student Engagement

In March and April 2025, Chairperson of the World Bank Inspection Panel, Ibrahim James Pam, led engaging discussions on accountability in development finance at Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy in Massachusetts, and Sciences Po in France. These events widen the discussion on accountability in development among students and the academia, emphasizing their role in ensuring transparency, equity, and responsiveness in international development projects.

At the Fletcher School on March 25, 2025, Ibrahim delivered a compelling lecture on the evolution of accountability within international finance institutions, particularly at The World Bank. He traced the history of the Inspection Panel, which was established in 1993 as the first Independent Accountability Mechanism (IAM) within development banks. The lecture highlighted the case of the Sardar Sarovar Dam Project on Narmada in India, a pivotal case that catalyzed the creation of environmental and social safeguards that led to stronger accountability mechanisms. 

On March 8 and 11, 2025 in Sciences Po’s Menton and Le Havre campuses, Ibrahim expanded the discussions to the broader social accountability landscape in development financing. His discussions covered:

• The inherent tension between development benefits and sustainability;
• The roles of civil society and legislative bodies, such as the U.S. Congress, in shaping accountability frameworks;
• The importance of independence, expertise, and resources in ensuring effective and trusted IAMs.

Ibrahim also elaborated on the dual approach to addressing complaints: Compliance Review through the Inspection Panel, which involves investigating whether in financing projects The World Bank adheres to its environmental and social safeguard policies, while Dispute Resolution provides a constructive, non-adversarial way to facilitate a voluntary and independent dispute resolution option for Requesters and borrowers in the context of project-related issues raised in the Request for Inspection and identified as the matters to be investigated in the Inspection Panel’s eligibility report to the Board. He emphasized the balance needed between delivering justice, resolving issues, and preserving institutional integrity. Since its creation in 1993, the Panel has served as a non-judicial mechanism for communities who believe they have been harmed by World Bank-financed projects, particularly in upholding the Bank’s environmental and social (E&S) standards.

Both events included case discussions from past Inspection Panel investigations, demonstrating how accountability mechanisms influence institutional learning, remedial measures, and policy reforms within client countries.

Closing the discussions, Ibrahim emphasized that accountability is foundational to sustainable and equitable development. As he aptly stated at the Fletcher School, “The story of development is also a story of people who might be adversely impacted by it.” Thus, including vulnerable communities in the development process and providing them access to accountability mechanisms is essential for addressing any harm that they may experience.

Thanks to The Fletcher School and Professor Chidi Anselm Odinkalu, as well as Sciences Po and Professor El Cid Butuyan, for hosting these important discussions. These engagements highlight the growing interest in accountability in development, and the Panel hopes this outreach to students and academia will further enrich discussions and literature on the subject.