World Bank Social Development Strategy Transforming Institutions to Empower the Dispossessed: World Bank Strategy for Social Development Robert S. Chase Senior Economist, Social Development World Bank

World Bank Social Development Strategy An example from Mchinji, Malawi… In 2002 an illiterate woman took part in a CARE program to train communities how to monitor health services using a community score card: keeping track of drug supplies, and assessing the quality of service by staff. Drugs delivery was a huge problem throughout Malawi She got very good at it… -How many drugs were supplied to the center? -How were given to patients? -How many were available? -How were staff treating patients? Complete turnaround in performance of this health center within 6 months when the score card exercise was repeated Health staff know that they will be evaluated every six months Ministry takes note of the evaluations Change in performance is dramatic

World Bank Social Development Strategy An example from Mchinji, Malawi… When the program was being introduced to the Malawi Social Action Fund this illiterate woman was asked to present it - Clear - Articulate - Powerful The CARE program was expanded throughout Malawi

World Bank Social Development Strategy What is social development? Inclusion: Putting marginalized people at the center of development Involved an illiterate woman in Mchinji Cohesion: Strengthening community fabric so that members can work together The village in Mchinji worked together to solve problem Accountability: Developing ways for all people to exercise voice to authorities An illiterate woman gave voice to community

World Bank Social Development Strategy What is social development? One illiterate woman A village A district A national program Why not the world?

World Bank Social Development Strategy Social Development … is positive social change …that empowers the dispossessed …by promoting formal and informal institutions that are more  Inclusive  Cohesive, and  Accountable

World Bank Social Development Strategy Well-being Poverty reduction Institutions Human Financial Physical Natural Social Assets Inclusive Cohesive Accountable Assets & Capabilities to Reduce Poverty

World Bank Social Development Strategy How does the World Bank support Social Development?  Many parts of the Bank contribute:  Social sectors (“Human Development”): health, education, social protection  Public Sector Management, poverty analysis  All these areas have strategies  Missing understanding of informal and formal institutions from the perspective of poor people = “social development” in the World Bank

World Bank Social Development Strategy Strategic Objective: Accelerate the trajectory  Heading in the right direction  Portfolio that includes SD increased (to about half)  Quality of attention to SD issues in other projects improved (85% of “good” quality up from 75% four years ago)  Need to go further :  Strengthen policy dialogue and development support lending  Improve project effectiveness – by mainstreaming and free- standing portfolio  Build on foundation of capacity building, advocacy and research

World Bank Social Development Strategy Key Questions….  Do the principles of inclusion, cohesion and accountability adequately capture the objective of promoting positive social change?  What are the best approaches to promote these principles across contexts?  What is the appropriate role of the World Bank to promote social development?