27 May 2009
Global Transparency Initiative (GTI) develops a model of transparency for the World Bank to use as a reference during its information disclosure policy review
As the World Bank continues the review process of its Policy on Disclosure of Information, the Global Transparency Initiative (GTI) has drafted a "Model World Bank Policy on Disclosure of Information" as a formal submission to the Bank and as a guide for enhanced World Bank transparency.
The Model Policy delineates GTI's vision of contours and detail of an IFI disclosure policy. It provides a strong statement of the right to information, alongside practical provisions to give effect to this right, including:
- A commitment to the automatic disclosure of a wide range of information, including to facilitate participation in decision-making.
- Clear and progressive rules on the processing of requests.
- A narrow regime of exceptions (constraints) based on a clear risk of harm to protected interests and a public interest override.
- A broad right to appeal refusals to disclose information to the Inspection Panel, an oversight body which is independent of Bank management.
- A strong and yet practical set of promotional measures to ensure fulsome implementation of the policy.
The World Bank is currently in the process of conducting global consultations on their disclosure policy and plans to complete a draft of the policy by the end of July 2009. Meanwhile, anyone may submit online comments about the Bank's disclosure policy on the Bank's website through June 5, 2009.
read GTI's model disclosure policy
GTI World Bank Model Policy, by Toby Mendel, Bruce Jenkins, Jennifer Kalafut, Toby McIntosh, Global Transparency Initiative, May 22, 2009 (PDF, 505KB)