Public consultation and disclosure World Banks Safeguard requirements

1
Public consultation and disclosure World
Banks Safeguard requirements

• Dr. Tran Thi Thanh Phuong
• Environmental Specialist, World Bank
• Hanoi September 16-17, 2002

2
OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment

• Minimum requirements for public consultation
• v     Borrowers responsibility
• v     Consult project-affected groups and local
  NGOs
• v     Conduct consultations as early as possible,
  during EA process
• v     Consult throughout project implementation
  as necessary
• v     Category A consultation required twice
• - After screening before finalising TOR for EA
• - After draft EA report

3
Our view Why is consultation needed

• These stakeholders need to get reliable
  information about the project
• Projects are supported or opposed by interested
  and affected parties
• NOT consulting stakeholders can lead to
  unexpected problems

Examples
4
Benefits of Public consultation

• Fewer conflicts and delays
• Improved profitability for investors
• Improved Government decision making
• Local people can help reduce adverse impacts
• The public gains credibility and understanding
• More effective EMPs
• Additional opportunities for the poor to receive
  priority

5
Level of stakeholder involvement

• Information dissemination
• Consultation
• Collaboration
• Empowerment

6
Planning the Consultation process

• Identify all stakeholder groups
• Identify key issues (scoping)
• Agree on the objectives of the consultation
• Determine the necessary level of consultation

7
Planning the Consultation process (cont.)

• Select consultation techniques
• Define a communication methodology
• Develop budget and timetable

8
Important considerations

• Include broad range of stakeholders
• Choose convenient times and locations
• Provide information in advance
• Use multiple formats (Dont make it once time)
• Use local languages
• Building consensus and trust may take time
  (Strategize)
• Provide for continuing participation during
  project implementation

9
Disclosure as part of the project cycle

• Meaning information being made available to
  affected people and the public
• Objective to promote transparency
• Occurs when EA report, resettlement plans or
  others ready in draft
• Comments and feedback from the public to be taken
  into account

10
OP 4.01 Minimum requirements

• v     Borrower provides relevant project material
  prior to consultation
• -    in local languages
• -    available at a public place accessible to
  affected groups and local NGOs
• v     Category A summary of project, TOR,
  summary of draft EA report (findings,
  potential impacts, mitigation measures)
• v     Category B separate draft EA report

11
BP 17.50 Disclosure processing

• v     PID Sent to InfoShop early in project
  processing, updated before appraisal
• v     EA Before appraisal
• - Sent to Bank and Disclosed in country (World
  Bank country office library and project
  sites)
• - Sent promptly to InfoShop (120 days before
  Board date due to Pelosi amendment)
• - If Borrower objects, processing stops
• - EA executive summary sent to the Board when
  EA received by the Bank

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Techniques for conveying information

• Formal/informal verbal meetings (targeted
  briefing, open house, site visit, field office)
• Printed materials (information bulletins,
  brochures, reports)
• Displays and exhibits (both to inform and collect
  comments)
• Print media (newspapers, press releases)
• Electronic media (TV, Radio, video)
• Advertising