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Events

Civil Society Policy Forum

October 10-13, 2017

World Bank Group / IMF 2017 Annual Meetings

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VIDEO Oct 18, 2016

2016 Annual Meetings Summary

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  • The Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF) has become an integral part of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group Spring and Annual Meetings, providing an open space for Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to dialogue and exchange views with World Bank Group and IMF staff, their peers, government delegations, and other stakeholders on a wide range of topics.

    The CSPF will convene in Washington DC from Tuesday, October 10 to Friday, Ocotber 13, 2017. The program will include an orientation session on the World Bank Group; a roundtable discussion with World Bank Group Executive Directors; and about 40, mainly CSO-organized, policy dialogue sessions that reflect the diversity of CSO policy concerns. These sessions will be selected from submissions from CSOs sent to us during a call for proposals, which will open soon.

    What are CSOs?

    CSOs include non-governmental organizations, community groups, labor unions, indigenous peoples movements, faith-based organizations, professional associations, foundations, think tanks, charitable organizations, and other not-for-profit organizations.  Representatives from the private sector, academia or governmental bodies must apply for accreditation through the "Guests" or other respective registration category as clarified on the main 2017 Annual Meetings website.

  • The Civil Society Policy Forum (CSPF) is open to CSO representatives who have been accredited to the 2017 Annual Meetings through online registration. Registration will open on July 31, 2017.

    Costs

    Registration and participation in the CSPF is free, but please be aware that participants are responsible for covering their own travel, accommodation, and per diem costs.  Participants are also responsible for applying for their entry visa to the USA.   Unfortunately, we have come across some entities offering to register participants for a fee.  If you come across any such entity, please report them to civilsociety@worldbank.org so we can take appropriate action.

    Application Process

    All CSO applications go through an initial review by the Civil Society Team of the World Bank Group to ensure that the applicants represent CSOs involvement in interational development policy operations and/or dialogue on issues relevant to the work of the Bank Group and IMF. (See "What are CSOs?" paragraph in the overview page)

    Once this criteria is met, applications are reviewed by the relevant Executive Directors' offices (based on the country where the CSO is based or mainly operates and/or the nationality of the requester) for clearance.  The Executive Directors have eight working days to review the requests for registration.

    At the end of this process, the participants will be notified of the final decision by the Civil Society Team.  There is no limit on the number of applicants from a single organization, but each applicant must apply individually.

    Since the applications approval process can take up to 21 days, we encourage CSOs to apply early, to allow for the relevant reviews and clearances, and to give themselves enough time to make travel and visa arrangements. 

    Visas

    If you need a visa to enter the United States, please request registration as soon as possible, noting that the approval of your registration request can take up to three weeks. The World Bank Group and IMF do not assist with the visa application process in United States Consulates as this is the responsibility of each traveler.

    Following registration approval, you can use your confirmation email as evidence of the purpose of your visit to Washington during your visa interview. The Bank Group and IMF will not be responsible for delays in visa processing.