Accountability in Action: The World Bank's Inspection Panel on the Frontlines – Ramanie Kunanayagam

In Pursuit of Development

Established as an independent complaints mechanism in 1993, the Inspection Panel is tasked with bringing transparency and redress to those adversely affected by World Bank-funded initiatives. The Panel is widely recognized as an international pioneer in respect to holding a major multilateral organization to account on social and environmental issues. Over the past three decades, it has registered numerous “Requests for Inspection”, from communities potentially affected by World Bank-financed projects, and has focused on a range of issues, such as environmental assessment, resettlement and the rights of indigenous peoples. Just how effective has the Inspection Panel been in safeguarding the interests of marginalized groups while holding one of the world’s most powerful institutions to account?

Ramanie Kunanayagam is the Chairperson of the Inspection Panel. She has a distinguished track record in leadership roles within the realm of sustainability, having served in prominent capacities in the corporate world and on the boards of several non-profit organizations. Linkedin

Key highlights

• Introduction – 00:24
• How does the Inspection operate? - 03:32
• Shrinking civic space and the Panel’s accessibility - 10:44
• How the Bank acts upon the Panel’s recommendations - 16:53
• Typical complaints - 21:23
• The puzzling lack of consultation of local residents - 25:29
• The business and human rights linkages - 38:33
• Learning from past mistakes - 48:51

Host

Professor Dan Banik (@danbanik @GlobalDevPod)

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