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Vote for the Civil Society Policy Forum Working Group
Aug 28, 2024

Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF) Working Group Elections 2024-26

It is time to vote for the next Working Group! Details below.

The World Bank Group and IMF, in collaboration with the Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF) Working Group, have launched the election process for the next cycle of the Working Group (2024-2026). Thank you for your nominations – the voting is now open through December 17th.

CSO representatives who attended one or more CSPFs in the past five years are eligible to vote for one representative per region. Please look for an email on November 26 with a link to the online ballot and candidate bios. If you have not received the ballot and believe that you are eligible, please email the Civil Society team (civilsociety@worldbank.org).

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  • Pre-CSPF functions:  

    • Review and update (as necessary) the guidelines and processes for CSPF session proposal submissions   

    • Review CSPF session proposals and provide feedback to ensure regional representation of topics/issues in the CSPF agenda, as well as gender balance, and participation of vulnerable groups   

    • Promote the CSPF and encourage participation    

    • Propose new ideas to the WBG and the IMF CSO teams to improve the forum or give opinions on new ideas presented by the WBG and IMF CSO team   

    • Advise the WBG and IMF teams on the CSPF schedule/program   

    • Recommend (including by seeking inputs from non-CSPF Working Group members) suitable CSO candidates to moderate the flagship events of the CSPF and/or the WBG ED Roundtable with CSOs   

      

    During the CSPF:  

    • Participate, as needed, in panels and events of the CSPF  

    • Participate in occasional engagements, such as CSO Orientation and feedback sessions.  
        

    Post-CSPF:  

    • Review and analyze responses gathered from an online post-CSPF survey 

    • Revise and improve the post-CSPF survey as needed  

    • Establish and manage a system for tracking and reporting on progress regarding recommendations and suggestions emanating from the post-CSPF surveys  

     

    Other responsibilities not directly related to implementation of the CSPF include: 

    • Establish and oversee a transparent and accountable nominations and elections process to replace members of the Working Group   

    • Suggest, as necessary, adjunct CSO members from countries hosting the Biennial Annual meetings to support CSPF preparation and implementation  

    • Ensure frequent and regular communication and engagement with the wider Civil Society community around pertinent issues and priorities in relation to the overall objective of the CSPF 

    • In consultation with the WBG/IMF Civil Society teams, revise and update the Terms of Reference for the Working Group as needed  
       

    Members of the Working Group will serve on a volunteer basis and are expected to dedicate up to 10 hours a month to the business of the Working Group, concentrated in  the lead up to the Spring and Annual Meetings. They will meet regularly, approximately six times per year, or more frequently as needed.   
     
    Neither the World Bank, the IMF, or the agencies that comprise them, are obliged to provide financial remuneration for the services and time of the Working Group members.   
        
    Working Group members must have good connectivity and communication tools like Internet and phone access and a working e-mail account. All communications will be conducted in English.  

  • CSOs will be invited to nominate themselves for consideration. These nominations will then be screened against the selection criteria to produce a list of qualified candidates. 

    Familiarity with WBG, IMF, and CSPF: Candidates must have attended the CSPF at least twice in the last 5 years. 

    Commitment: For a two-year term, candidates must be eager to actively engage with civil society in their region and volunteer a few hours a month for calls, emails, meetings, and other work, and more intensively prior to and during the CSPF at the Spring and Annual Meetings. 

    Regional representation: Ideally, candidates will be based in the region they represent. However, in situations where a candidate has ties with the region through their work but is based elsewhere, they should provide an explanation for why they are applying under that region. 

    Re-election of current WG members: Only one immediate re-election is possible

  • The Working Group will be composed of 7-9 members who are nominated/elected by civil society from among CSPF attendees. Representation of the members is based on several factors, including gender and geographic representation by continent. Regional divisions are as follows:  
      

    1. Eastern and Southern Africa 

    2. Western and Central Africa  

    3. East Asia/Pacific   

    4. Europe and Central Asia  

    5. Latin America and Caribbean  

    6. Middle East and North Africa  

    7. South Asia   

    8. North America 

     

    Working Group members are elected for a fixed rotating term of two years. New incoming Working Group members will serve alongside older members to establish trust, deepen an understanding of the CSPF, and ensure a smooth transition.