The World Bank Group (WBG) is in the process of developing a Strategic Priorities Framework for Bank – Civil Society Relations across the institution. We are at the first stage of the process now. The global Civil Society Team has convened a Bank-wide steering group with representatives from across Bank agencies and units to provide guidance to this strategic framework process. The strategic framework process is expected to span from March through July 2008 and involve a two-phased approach. First, the WBG steering group will engage WBG staff and external actors to take stock of Bank-civil society relations and trends, and eliciting their views on how the underlying issues for the process should be framed. Case studies of where this engagement has worked well and where it has faced difficulty will also be designed and initiated during this phase. The steering group will then prepare a Draft Strategic Priorities Paper to be reviewed by senior management. (March – May)
The second phase will comprise finalizing the stocktaking exercise and consulting with CSOs, governments, donor agencies, and think tank representatives to understand what has worked, what has not, and incorporate suggestions for enhancing Bank – civil society relations. (June – July)
Civil society organizations will be consulted during both phases. During the first phase they will be consulted broadly on a number of guiding questions about Bank – civil society engagement trends, and during the second phase they will be asked specific input on the draft Paper.
Background: The existing frame of reference for engaging with civil society has been the paper: "Issues and Options for Improving Engagement Between the World Bank and Civil Society Organizations", which was discussed and supported by the WBG Board in January, 2005. That paper assessed WBG relations with civil society and identified options and action items for improving engagement. There are several important reasons why the WBG decided to update its framework for engagement. The steady expansion of Bank – civil society relations provides opportunities to improve the quality of our policy consultation approach, and scale-up operational collaboration. New Bank leadership has brought renewed interest in strengthening the Bank’s relations with civil society. The global civil society sector is constantly evolving, and it is thus important for us to continually assess and understand this context. The Bank’s governance and anti-corruption strategy places new emphasis on the role of civil society in promoting government transparency and accountability at the national level. The recently announced six strategic themes that will guide the work of the institution offer scope for scaled up engagement with civil society.
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