Social Development at the World Bank has three principles: Putting people in the center of development (inclusion); strengthening the social fabric of communities so that their members can work together (cohesion); and finding ways for people to exercise their voice to authorities (accountability). The E-Forum was moderated by Susan Jacobs Matzen, Social Development Specialist, from the World Bank's Social Development Department.
From April - June 2004, the World Bank hosted an E-Forum (the original site, designed by Forum One, was closed in August, 2004) on inclusion, cohesion, and accountability, the principles of social development as described in its discussion draft strategy paper entitled Social Development in World Bank Operations: Results and Way Forward. The E-Forum is but one of many activities and media through which we have called on the public to give us advice on what the World Bank can do to implement these principles more effectively in development. Following is a summary of the 14 comments made by 10 individual participants. We thank these 10 individuals very much for their participation, especially for sharing experience with what works in your countries and communities. Your comments are very much appreciated and will be shared directly with the Bank team responsible for taking the discussion draft of the document to final paper.
Inclusion: Putting people in the center of development
Participants' advice to the Bank on how to implement inclusion more effectively in development point to focusing on certain development methods, theory and goals. Methodological recommendations include triangulation of information and a general step away from using distant "expert" methods. With respect to development theory, the specific recommendation is for the Bank to acknowledge in its approach the necessary trade-offs in short term "efficiency" that are necessary to meet longer term empowerment goals. Suggestions for setting goals include focusing on financial and educational prosperity as a route to empowerment and then on to inclusion. Two comments also supported the use of conditionalities by the Bank -- in other words requiring and monitoring clients' governance, transparency and accountability records to ensure Borrower inclusionary practices. Finally, participants shared expamples from their experience of ways to ensure diversity of voice and choice in public decision-making.
Cohesion: Strengthening the social fabric of communities so that their members can work together
The comments advising the Bank on how to implement cohesion more effectively in development attribute cohesion to personal attitudes, beliefs and practices that acknowlede human commonalities over differences. With a focus on community stakeholders in Borrower countries, one participant suggests (based on experience from South Africa) that a combination of exposure to global issues and intensive information sharing at the grass-roots level is the key to allowing people to identify their commonalities. With focus in particular on the Bank as a development actor, another suggests that the Bank itself make sure it puts in place management that is immune to special interests.
Accountability: Finding ways for people to exercise their voice to authorities
The three comments advising the Bank on how to implement accountability more effectively in development all have to do with putting pressure on institutions. One participant recommends using external reports from international organizations that measure transparency and accountability to inform citizens and to pressure governments into considering reforms. Another participant calls for civil society to share responsibility for monitoring accountability, for example through local community groups whose monitoring can influence performance and outcomes of any development ideal. The final comment recommends that the Bank itself (1) require regular auditing of borrowers' accounts and (2) take responsibility for close supervision of disbursement. In addition to these "sticks" to enforce accountability, the third participant also recommends that the Bank offer learning opportunities to its borrowers on the importance of accountability, using local examples of success stories.
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The Social Development Department sits in the Environmentally and Socially Sustainable Network in the World Bank. It seeks to empower poor people by increasing their social assets and capacities. It also aims to promote inclusive institutions, thereby increasing poor peoples' opportunities for more secure livelihoods, ultimately creating more inclusive, equitable and just societies.
Social development contributes to increased development effectiveness and helps projects, programs and policies better meet their goals and objectives. The Social Development Department is actively engaged in collaboration with staff in other Networks of the World Bank in order to ensure that the social dimensions of sustainable development are taken into account in projects and programs.
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