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

Imrana JalalWhile working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Inspection Panel has begun conducting small-group virtual workshops to inform civil society and community representatives about the Panel’s mandate and operations. 

Panel Chair Imrana Jalal (pictured on the right) led the first of the virtual workshops on April 21, 2020, with a small group of civil society representatives from southern Africa.  Ms. Jalal described the Panel’s history and its role within the World Bank, provided examples of the issues and outcomes from recent Panel cases, discussed changes to social and environmental accountability at the Bank recently approved by the Board of Executive Directors, and responded to questions.

Additional small group virtual sessions are being planned for the near future, and the Panel is also organizing larger video workshops 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.

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