From: News Release – African Press Organization (APO)
PRESS RELEASE

AfDB Calls for Nominations to DAI Appeals Panel Membership

Candidates must have extensive experience dealing with issues of governance, transparency, access to information and related-matters

TUNIS, Tunisia, November 22, 2013/ — The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) (http://www.afdb.org) is calling for nominations of suitably qualified individuals to serve on the Appeals Panel of the Bank Group’s Disclosure and Access to Information (DAI) Policy.

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A statement released by the Bank Group’s Vice President Secretary General, Ms. Cecilia Akintomide, stated that the Panel requires candidates who have extensive experience dealing with issues of governance, transparency, access to information and related-matters. They should have a good working knowledge of freedom of information policies from a national, regional or international perspective, a good understanding of the functioning of multilateral development finance institutions, and independent judgment and demonstrated integrity.

According to the statement, citizenship of an AfDB member state is mandatory and preference will be given to candidates who are fluent in either English or French, with a good working knowledge of the other language African experience will also be considered favorably during the evaluation process.

The Disclosure and Access to Information (DAI) Policy re-affirms the commitment of all Bank Group entities and staff to the principles of good governance, particularly transparency, accountability, increased access to information and active communication.

Under the DAI Policy, members of the public may request a review of Bank’s decisions to deny their requests for information through a two-stage appeals process. The first stage of the review is conducted by the Bank Group Information Disclosure Committee (IDC), constituted by members of Management of the Bank. The second stage is conducted by an Appeals Panel constituted by three persons, at least two of whom shall be external to the Bank. The Appeals Panel reports directly to the President of the Bank Group and functions independently of the IDC. Its mandate does not however extend to Bank Group decisions concerning requests to override the provisions of the DAI Policy. The decisions of the Appeals Panel are final and the remedy, where applicable, will be to provide requested information to the requester.

Successful candidates will be appointed by the President of the Bank Group, in consultation with the Boards of Directors, to serve on a case-by-case basis for a two-year term renewable once.

Nominations should be addressed by December 31st 2013 to Ms. Cecilia Akintomide, Vice President Secretary General, African Development Bank at:

Agence Temporaire de Relocalisation, Avenue du Ghana, Angle Rues Hedi Nouira & Pierre de Coubertin, B.P. 323 Tunis, 1002 Tunis Belvedere, Tunisia, Tel: (216) 71 10 20 05; Fax: (216) 71 10 37 51; E-mail: c.akintomide@afdb.org and cc : dai@afdb.org

Only nominations received by December 31st, 2013 will be considered. Information on the DAI Policy can be found at http://www.afdb.org/DAI

Distributed by APO (African Press Organization) on behalf of the African Development Bank (AfDB).

SOURCE
African Development Bank (AfDB)