Forum's campaign on the Public Communication Policy
The Asian Development Bank’s Public Communication Policy (PCP) guides the ADB's external relations when it comes to transparency and in its operations.
The PCP, also known as the policy on information disclosure, intends to provide greater access to project information documents and related information. It ensures the participation by project-affected people in the development intervention of the ADB in their respective communities. It mandates all project-related documents to be posted in the ADB's website.
Access to project-related information by local people allows them to participate actively and effectively in decision-making processes related to the development agenda of international financial institutions such as the ADB in their respective communities which could adversely affect the environment and disrupt their living conditions.
Issues with the existing PCP
Though it has been stating that it values transparency and is committed to increasing information disclosure, the ADB has fallen short on its commitment to respecting the rights of the people’s right to information. The PCP does not expressly recognize public access to information is a right. Experiences on the ground have shown that the Bank lacks both the political will and the resources to respect this right.
Documents identified by the ADB as publicly available are only accessible through its website. This has prevented poor communities from getting project-related information since internet facility remains a luxury for them. Civil society groups believe that this manifests the pro-business bias of the Bank’s disclosure policy.
The PCP also provides a long list of exceptions. Not all exceptions identify the serious harm to a clearly and narrowly defined, and broadly accepted, interest that is sought to be avoided by non-disclosure.
ADB’s disclosure policy does not also provide an independent appeals mechanism. The Public Disclosure Advisory Committee (PDAC) is not independent of the Bank management’s influence.
Now on its fifth year of implementation, the ADB is undergoing a review of the PCP which will involve consultations with government officials, civil society and the private sector. However, success of the consultations and the review will depend on how serious the Bank is in consulting project-affected communities who are the ones directly affected by its programs and projects.
Forum's PCP review submissions
Related News
NGO Forum doubts seriousness of ADB's communication policy review
MANILA, 16 Jun 10 -- NGO Forum on the ADB expressed its dissatisfaction with the ADB's draft Public Communication Policy (PCP).
At the heart[h] of Melamchi
MELAMCHI, 9 Mar 10 -- In a remote area of the Sindhupalchok District, Nina talks about a local community being left out in the dark about the proposed ADB-funded dam project.
ADB's medium, ADB's message
KATHMANDU, 28 Feb 10 -- Affected communities were the last to know about the displacement and disaster that will be brougth by the project.
No consultation but condoms from the ADB in Melamchi
KATHMANDU, 27 Feb 10 -- Instead of being consulted on the Bank's plan on their community, farmers where given condoms and mosquito nets.
ADB watchdog calls for stronger, more responsive disclosure policy
MANILA, 16 Feb 10 -– With the launch of ADB's Public Communication Policy review today, Forum said the bank has to recognize that public access to information is not an option but a fundamental human right.
The people's right to know
YOGYAKARTA, 12 Feb 10 -- Reality on the ground shows the kind of inclusive and transparent information disclosure the ADB is talking about.
Related documents
Statistical Highlights on the ADB's Public Communication Policy Implementation (August 2005 to February 2009), By Abby Don, August 2009
Practice what you preach By Souparna Lahiri, August 2009
Gearing up for the review of the ADB PCP, by Nepomuceno Malaluan, August 2009
Falling short of, by Romil Hernandez, August 2009
Civil society comments on second draft PCP, 24 November 2004
Summary of participant recommendations, consultation on ADB's draft PCP,14-15 July 2004
The Asian Development Bank’s Public Communication Policy (PCP) guides the ADB's external relations when it comes to transparency and in its operations.
The PCP, also known as the policy on information disclosure, intends to provide greater access to project information documents and related information. It ensures the participation by project-affected people in the development intervention of the ADB in their respective communities. It mandates all project-related documents to be posted in the ADB's website.
Access to project-related information by local people allows them to participate actively and effectively in decision-making processes related to the development agenda of international financial institutions such as the ADB in their respective communities which could adversely affect the environment and disrupt their living conditions.
Issues with the existing PCP
Though it has been stating that it values transparency and is committed to increasing information disclosure, the ADB has fallen short on its commitment to respecting the rights of the people’s right to information. The PCP does not expressly recognize public access to information is a right. Experiences on the ground have shown that the Bank lacks both the political will and the resources to respect this right.
Documents identified by the ADB as publicly available are only accessible through its website. This has prevented poor communities from getting project-related information since internet facility remains a luxury for them. Civil society groups believe that this manifests the pro-business bias of the Bank’s disclosure policy.
The PCP also provides a long list of exceptions. Not all exceptions identify the serious harm to a clearly and narrowly defined, and broadly accepted, interest that is sought to be avoided by non-disclosure.
ADB’s disclosure policy does not also provide an independent appeals mechanism. The Public Disclosure Advisory Committee (PDAC) is not independent of the Bank management’s influence.
Now on its fifth year of implementation, the ADB is undergoing a review of the PCP which will involve consultations with government officials, civil society and the private sector. However, success of the consultations and the review will depend on how serious the Bank is in consulting project-affected communities who are the ones directly affected by its programs and projects.
Forum's PCP review submissions
Related News
NGO Forum doubts seriousness of ADB's communication policy review
MANILA, 16 Jun 10 -- NGO Forum on the ADB expressed its dissatisfaction with the ADB's draft Public Communication Policy (PCP).
At the heart[h] of Melamchi
MELAMCHI, 9 Mar 10 -- In a remote area of the Sindhupalchok District, Nina talks about a local community being left out in the dark about the proposed ADB-funded dam project.
ADB's medium, ADB's message
KATHMANDU, 28 Feb 10 -- Affected communities were the last to know about the displacement and disaster that will be brougth by the project.
No consultation but condoms from the ADB in Melamchi
KATHMANDU, 27 Feb 10 -- Instead of being consulted on the Bank's plan on their community, farmers where given condoms and mosquito nets.
ADB watchdog calls for stronger, more responsive disclosure policy
MANILA, 16 Feb 10 -– With the launch of ADB's Public Communication Policy review today, Forum said the bank has to recognize that public access to information is not an option but a fundamental human right.
The people's right to know
YOGYAKARTA, 12 Feb 10 -- Reality on the ground shows the kind of inclusive and transparent information disclosure the ADB is talking about.
Related documents
Statistical Highlights on the ADB's Public Communication Policy Implementation (August 2005 to February 2009), By Abby Don, August 2009
Practice what you preach By Souparna Lahiri, August 2009
Gearing up for the review of the ADB PCP, by Nepomuceno Malaluan, August 2009
Falling short of, by Romil Hernandez, August 2009
Civil society comments on second draft PCP, 24 November 2004
Summary of participant recommendations, consultation on ADB's draft PCP,14-15 July 2004
© 2008 NGO Forum on ADB. | Content may be used freely if source is acknowledged.