World Bank NGO Self-Selection Process
4/20/98
*******************************
RELAYED TEXT STARTS HERE:
Title: World Bank NGO Self-Selection Process
Source: World Bank. http://www-esd.worldbank.org/forestry/umbrella/index3.htm
Status: Contact source to reprint
Date: 4/20/98
Process for southern NGO Self-Selection
MEETING OF AD HOC GROUP TO DISCUSS THE WORLD'S FOREST RESOURCES
http://www-esd.worldbank.org/forestry/umbrella/index3.htm
On January 9, 1998, World Bank President James Wolfensohn convened a closed
meeting in Washington, DC of forestry industry, government and selected NGO
leaders with actual or potential involvement in frontier forests. The agenda
was to discuss options for reducing barriers to sustainable management in
forests, primarily by promoting the participation of responsible
investors in the management and protection of these forests.
Participants expressed the view that the meeting had assisted materially in the
establishment of a basis of trust and understanding, as well as an occasion for
the exchange of ideas. Many items were discussed and a variety of issues were
considered, ranging from conservation to certification, from the
role of plantations to sustainable forest management. Minutes of
this meeting and descriptions of established working groups are attached.
While there were many areas of difference, there was a strong feeling of the
need to reach a better understanding on these issues, and accordingly, all
agreed that there should be another meeting in mid-1998 [Note: this date is now
set for July 13, 1998]. Those at the meeting also agreed that a small number
of additional participants might be invited to attend the next meeting as well
as the series of working groups that were established. These additional
participants would include representatives of southern, local and/or indigenous
peoples NGOs.
To broaden the original group to include representatives from these groups, the
Bank, with the collaboration of others, has initiated a series of self-
selection processes. NGOs will be identified to represent southern, local
and/or indigenous peoples' concerns at the July 13 meeting and potential
follow-up meetings, as well as the individual working groups which will
take place between now and early July. The Bank recognizes that the very short
timeframe available for a self-selection process is problematic, but hopes that
organizations will still be interested in participating in the process and
agree that expanded participation will be of benefit to all.
I. Self-Selection Process: CEOs Ad Hoc Group Participation
The Bank will seek two NGOs which the international community could endorse as
representative of developing countries' environmental issues and/or indigenous
peoples and who could provide perspectives that would complement those of the
industry CEOs and more globally-oriented NGOs that have already been a part of
this process.
These NGOs should be interested in and available to represent their
constituency at the July 13 meeting with President Wolfensohn; there is a
possibility that on this date the group as a whole will decide that the series
of activities and meetings should continue. As a part of the CEOs ad hoc group,
they will also be expected to participate in their choice of working group
activities between now and July 13. The Bank recognizes, however, that due to
the short time available, these NGOs may not be selected in time to participate
in a significant number of working group meetings.
The World Bank will pay for all travel-related expenses associated with these
meetings if the identified NGOs are in need.
To date, the World Bank is seeking a group either independent or within the
World Bank to circulate information by E-Mail regarding the self-selection
process, and if necessary to facilitate that process to enable any NGOs that
may be interested in participating to select the two NGO representatives. Once
this process has been established, it will be advertised on the WebSite as well
as disseminated via electronic communication lines.
II. Self-Selection Process: Working Groups
We recognize that the self-selection process for the CEOs Ad Hoc Group will
take several weeks, and a significant portion of the working group activities
will occur during this period. While this process is on-going, the Bank will
seek, separately for each individual working group, two or three self-selected
NGOs to attend.
A. Regional Working Groups
Working Group 3(i): Forestry Issues in the Russian Federation
The first meeting of this working group will take place in Moscow on April 22,
1998. In February, 1998, a special meeting was held in Moscow between World
Bank staff and key Russian NGOs working on forestry. At this meeting, a process
was agreed upon by which three additional Russian NGOs would be self-selected
for participation in this working group meeting. Those at this February meeting
included representatives from the Socio-Ecological Union, Greenpeace Russia,
the Biodiversity Conservation Center, WWF-Russia, IUCN Moscow and the Students
Environment Movement.
The Bank will pay all travel-related expenses associated with the meetings of
this working group.
For further information, please contact Mr. Alexaei Grigoriev of the Socio-
Ecological Union at grig@glas.apc.org
Working Group 3(ii): Indonesia Case Studies
The first meeting of this working group will be hosted by the new Chairman of
APKINDO on April 23, 1998 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The World Bank is currently hoping to finalize arrangements by which a very
rapid self-selection process will occur among Indonesian NGOs before April 22.
It is hoped that two NGOs will be self-selected to attend meetings of this
working group. The World Bank will pay all travel-related expenses associated
with the meetings of this working group.
As soon as these arrangements are finalized, there will be an update posted on
the WebSite and via electronic mail.
Working Group 3(iii): Africa
The first meeting of the Africa working group was held in Reutlingen, Germany
on March 27, 1998. The next meeting will be held in Paris, May 18. Mr. Wale
Adeleke, WWF Cameroon Programme office has volunteered to help initiate another
very rapid self-selection process among African NGOs before this date. It is
hoped that two NGOs -- one from western Africa and one from central Africa --
will be self-selected to attend the meetings of this working group. The World
Bank will pay all travel-related expenses associated with the meetings of this
working group.
There will be further updates on the details of this process, which will be
posted on the WebSite and via electronic mail. For further information, one can
contact Mr. Adeleke at aadeleke@wwfnet.org or via FAX at (237)-21-42-40.
B. 'Thematic' Working Groups
Where possible, the thematic working groups will be expanded to include 2
additional NGOs, preferably those that represent southern and/or indigenous
peoples issues.
The World Bank would like to first solicit interest from organizations
interested in attending the remaining meetings of Working Group 1: Protected
Areas and Working Group 2: Marketing, both to be held in Washington, D.C. If
more than two or three NGOs express serious interest in attending the remaining
meetings of working groups the Bank will ask that these NGOs decide
amongst themselves which will ultimately represent the group. If necessary, the
Bank will ask for a third party to mediate such a selection process.
All travel-related expenses will be paid for by the Bank.
Working Group 1: Protected Areas
The first meeting of this working group was held on March 12, 1998. Draft
minutes of this meeting can be seen at the WebSite. Tom Lovejoy of the
Smithsonian has proposed a second meeting at the end of April in Washington,
D.C. but the final date has not yet been set.
Starting immediately, Kirsten Spainhower of the World Bank will take down the
names oof NGO representatives who are interested in participating in this
working group. She will notify those who sign up of the date once it has been
decided. If more than 2 NGOs are interested, she will notify the NGOs that
they need to self-select amongst themselves who will ultimately attend this
second meeting.
Notices of interest can be sent to Kirsten Spainhower FAX 202-477-0565 or E-
mail kspainhower@worldbank.org Notices must include all contact information,
such as telephone and FAX, but preferably e-mail address.
Working Group 2: Marketizing Forest Ecosystem Goods and Services for Improved
Forest Management
The first meeting of this working group was held on March 25, 1998. Draft
minutes of this meeting can be seen at the WebSite shortly. The second meeting
will be held on April 27, 1998 at World Bank headquarters in Washington, D.C.
Starting immediately, Kirsten Spainhower of the World Bank will take down the
names of NGO representatives who are interested in participating in this
working group. Deadline for indication of interest will be April 22. If more
than 2 NGOs are interested, she will notify by April 23 that they need to
self-select amongst themselves who will ultimately attend this second meeting.
Notices of interest can be sent to Kirsten Spainhower FAX 202-477-0565 or E-
mail kspainhower@worldbank.org Notices must include all contact information,
such as telephone and FAX, but preferably e-mail address.
Working Group 4: Role of Sustainable Forest Management, Plantations and
Certification:
The first meeting of this working group was held on April 3, 1998. Draft
minutes of this meeting will soon be available at the WebSite. It was decided
at this meeting that no more meetings of this working group would be held.
However, all participants agreed that draft documents that individual
organizations would be developing as a part of the work program of this working
group would be shared publicly via the WebSite. Technology permitting, the
public would have equal access to the review and commenting of these drafts as
the original members of the ad hoc CEOs group.