The World Bank Including Disability into Poverty Reduction Go back to Global Navigation

The World Bank Including Disability into Poverty Reduction

Judith Heumann, Advisor, Disability and Development, <Jheumann@worldbank.org>

Poverty and Inclusion

"Addressing disability is a significant part of reducing poverty. Bringing disabled people out of the corners and back alleys of society, and empowering them to thrive in the bustling center of national life, will do much to improve the lives of many from among the poorest of the poor around the world. "

James D. Wolfensohn
Former President, The World Bank

What is the World Bank ?

  • Multilateral development bank with the overarching goal of reducing poverty by promoting long-term economic growth through implementation of the Millennium Development Goals
  • Financial institution (loans and soft-loans) and knowledge bank (technical assistance)
  • World Bank is not a foundation

World Bank Mission
Our Dream is World Free of Poverty

  • To fight poverty with passion and professionalism for lasting results.
  • To help people help themselves and their environment by providing resources, sharing knowledge, building capacity, and forging partnerships in the public and private sectors.
  • To be an excellent institution able to attract, excite, and nurture diverse and committed staff with exceptional skills who know how to listen and learn.

Millennium Development Goals

  1. Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
  2. Achieve universal primary education
  3. Promote gender equality and empower women
  4. Reduce child mortality
  5. Improve maternal health
  6. Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other diseases
  7. Ensure environmental sustainability
  8. Develop a global partnership for development

What is the Role of the Disability Advisor?

  • Build capacity within the World Bank
    -Internal Disability Working Group Strategy
    -Operations
  • Locate funds to undertake major activities within the World Bank; work with donors such as Norway, Finland, Denmark, Canada, Japan and others
  • Work across the Bank with different sectors and regions, (e.g. HIV/AIDS, C&Y, Infrastructure, Education, Health, Post-Conflict and others)

HR: Disability Working Group

  • Help develop internal policy on disability/ diversity
    -Benchmark research on disability policy among corporations and governments
    -Review of "Staff Rules" to ensure equal employment opportunity and career development for disabled individuals
  • Disability Accommodation Fund (DAF) for internal services related to disability
    -Conference Service
    -Sign Language / CART Services
    -Brail printing

Regional Working Group on Disability

  • Regional Working Groups on Disability have formed in each of the 6 different regions
    Africa -Sub-Saharan(Africa)
    East Asia & the Pacific(EAP)
    Europe & Central Asia(ECA)
    Latin America & Caribbean(LAC)
    Middle East & North Africa(MENA)
    South Asia(SA)

Activities in Regions

  • Disability is a growing issue
  • An increasing number of projects include disability components
  • The goal of the Advisor is inclusion of disability into mainstream projects, not to create segregated activities

Limited Supply and Demand

  • Development Institutions and Governments are beginning to recognize the link between disability and poverty.
  • Governments have tended not to initiate discussions about disability with the Bank.
  • The Bank is beginning to engaged with the disability community.
  • The Bank in increasing its knowledge and capacity on disability and poverty.
  • Reluctance to push issues where capacity and knowledge is limited.

Data, Policy and Budget

  • The WB is beginning to include disability in its data collection efforts. (e.g. Kenya, Vietnam and India)
  • The factual foundation for policy development is being developed.
  • The importance of integrating disability into budgets is being discussed.

Global Partnership for Disability and Development

  • Work with other lenders and donors, the UN, and other stakeholders including DPOsand NGOs to increase inclusion of disability issues in development and avoid duplication of efforts
  • Progress -Meetings in Helsinki, Durban, Rome and Washington, DC

Funds for Disability Organizations

  • At least 99% of World Bank funds are loans to governments, so NGOs cannot access them
  • Exceptions (see Web Resources for links)
    -Social Funds and other community-based funds
    -Small grants, e.g. Development Marketplace

Making A Difference: Sharing Your Experiences

  • Getting governments involved in what you do
  • Engaging with the World Bank and other development institutions
  • Sharing expertise of consultants
  • Working collaboratively to improve economic and human rights for disabled people

Web Resources

  • World Bank Web Site: www.worldbank.org
  • Disability Web Site: www.worldbank.org/disability
  • NGO/Civil Society Web Site: http://wbln0018.worldbank.org/essd/essd.nsf/NGOs/home
  • Social Funds Web Site: www.worldbank.org/sp/socialfunds
  • Junior Professionals Program http://lnweb28.worldbank.org/hrs/careers.nsf/key/jpa
  • Young Professionals Program http://lnweb28.worldbank.org/hrs/careers.nsf/key/ypp