The World Bank is planning a three-day policy dialogue in Washington for 20 – 22 April, 2005. Participants are to include civil society, Bank staff, government, parliamentarians, donor agencies and the private sector. The forum will address the issue of civil society engagement with the Bank as well as a thematic discussion on Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers. It is proposed that 80 participants would be civil society representatives: 50 from southern organisations with expenses covered by the Bank and 30 self-funded northern participants.
Two experts have been contracted to prepare an issues paper on lessons learned in civil society engagement with the Bank. The researchers will also prepare a statement of principles on WB-civil society engagement for the Bank to consider for adoption by its board.