World Bank Safeguards Team Oslo, 18.11.2014 Written submission from Plan Norway regarding Bank safeguards consultation We greatly appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback into the safeguard review process. The safeguards are an essential mechanism for ensuring accountability in World Bank operations. In addition to supporting the joint letter from Norwegian CSOs presented at the consultations in Oslo 12.11.2014, Plan Norway would like to raise specifically the importance of disability inclusion and accessibility. We are aware that the World Bank has a long-standing commitment to disability, and applaud the recent appointment of Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo as a Disability Advisor. However, there is still a great need for institutionalising disability inclusion and accessibility throughout World Bank operations. This process of updating the safeguards is a great opportunity to ensure such institutionalisation and set a global standard for disability inclusion in development operations. We have the following specific suggestions: persons with disabilities and their organisations in an accessible safeguard Include review consultation process Define with disabilities” using the definition outlined in the CRPD “persons Assess the unique and differentiated impacts of Bank projects on persons with disabilities rather than assessing a project’s impact on what the Bank is calling or vulnerable populations” includes a wide range of groups “disadvantaged differently impacted by projects
World Bank Safeguards Team Oslo, 18.11.2014 Written submission from Plan Norway regarding Bank safeguards consultation We greatly appreciate the opportunity to provide feedback into the safeguard review process. The safeguards are an essential mechanism for ensuring accountability in World Bank operations. In addition to supporting the joint letter from Norwegian CSOs presented at the consultations in Oslo 12.11.2014, Plan Norway would like to raise specifically the importance of disability inclusion and accessibility. We are aware that the World Bank has a long-standing commitment to disability, and applaud the recent appointment of Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo as a Disability Advisor. However, there is still a great need for institutionalising disability inclusion and accessibility throughout World Bank operations. This process of updating the safeguards is a great opportunity to ensure such institutionalisation and set a global standard for disability inclusion in development operations. We have the following specific suggestions: Include persons with disabilities and their organisations in an accessible safeguard review consultation process Define “persons with disabilities” using the definition outlined in the CRPD Assess the unique and differentiated impacts of Bank projects on persons with disabilities rather than assessing a project’s impact on what the Bank is calling “disadvantaged or vulnerable populations” includes a wide range of groups differently impacted by projects
written_submission_to_world_bank_on_safeguards_consultation.docx