The Perspectives Project: Documenting and Reimagining IFI Accountability
Published to mark the 30th anniversary of the launch of the World Bank Inspection Panel, and the emergence of accountability mechanisms in development finance generally, Perspectives is a collection of essays discussing the promise, reality, and future of the accountability mechanisms at international financial institutions. These Perspectives are from a range of authors, including current and past members of accountability mechanisms, IFI managers and staff, community advocates who have brought or supported claims, civil society supporters of accountability, and academics. Their Perspectives explore the successes, shortcomings, and unrealized potential of the Independent Accountability Mechanisms, and propose ways to make them more effective. Perspectives is an ongoing project. Please send your proposal of no more than 300 words to perspectives.iam@gmail.com.
The Editors Daniel Bradlow Professor/Senior Fellow, Centre for Advancement of Scholarship, University of Pretoria, Professor Emeritus, American University Washington College of Law.
David Hunter Professor Emeritus, American University's Washington College of Law.
Varsha Iyengar Lawyer, mediator, and an SJD Candidate at American University Washington College of Law.
Nick Paul Editor and writer with a background in business communications, journalism, and international development.
The editors thank the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation for its generous support of the Perspectives Project, as well as its decades of support toward enhancing the accountability and reducing the environmental impact of international development finance institutions. The editors also thank the American University Washington College of Law, particularly Access Services Law Librarian, Khelani Clay, and PhD candidate, Murphy Chen, for their support.
The Essays
The Inspection Panel Early Years (An Inside Story), Eduardo G. Abbott
Collaborative Dispute Resolution: Five Essential Questions, Scott Adams and Aparna Mukerjee
The World Bank, the Inspection Panel & Immunity, Joe Athialy
The Promise of Collaborative Problem Solving in Enhancing IAM Effectiveness, Gina Barbieri
Ending Violence in Development Finance Actions to Affirmatively Prevent and Stop Reprisals Against Rights Defenders, Gregory Berry
Three Decades of Seeking Elusive Remedies, Richard E. Bissell
World Bank's Roadmap and the Inspection Panel's Human Rights Responsibilities, Juan Pablo Bohoslavsky and C.P. Chandrasekhar
A Proposal for One “Super” Independent Accountability Mechanism, Daniel D. Bradlow
The Inspection Panel and International Law, Daniel D. Bradlow
Can Mediation Provide Remedy For Human Rights Violations? A Quest for Justice Using a Development Bank Accountability Mechanism, Natalie Bugalski and David Pred
IMF Human Rights Accountability: A Pragmatic Way to Break the Deadlock, Aldo Caliari
Should Decisions of Independent Accountability Mechanisms be Binding?, Lalanath de Silva and Giada Giacomini
"Use and Improve" is My Accountability Mantra, Despite 30 Years of Eye-opening Disappointments, Natalie Bridgeman Fields
Rethinking 'What Counts' As Accountability, Jonathan Fox
Legal Risk and Accountability in Development Finance: Lessons from Jam v. International Finance Corporation, Michelle Harrison and Shannon Marcoux
Reflections on the Launch of the Inspection Panel and People-Centered Accountability, David Hunter
Glass Half-Full or Glass Half-Empty? Thirty Years of Accountability at the Inspection Panel--The Impact of its Work and What the Data Tells Us, Ramanie Kunanayagam, Mark Goldsmith, Ibrahim James Pam, Serge Selwan, Richard Wyness, Ayako Kubodera, Camila Jorge do Amarel, and Rupes Dalai
Reflections on the Role of the Panel, Charles Di Leva
The Critical Contribution of Independent Accountability Mechanisms (IAMs) to the Global Governance Paradigm, Owen McIntyre
Exiting the Disaster, Evading the Responsibility? Wadi al-Qamar -- The Moon Valley, Suzan Nada
The River of Accountability Mechanisms: Then and Now, Suresh Nanwani
An Increased Normalization of IAMs Faces Ground Realities: Lack of Transparency Impedes Access to IAMs, Hamid Sharif
Thirty Years of Accountability in International Development: Insights from the General Counsel of the World Bank Group, Christopher H. Stephens
Unacceptable Means: The Inspection Panel Actions on World Bank Forcible Resettlement, Lori Udall
Ending 30 years of IMF Exceptionalism: A Call for an Accountability Mechanism at the International Monetary Fund, Luiz Vieria