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I. What is the "MoF-NGO Regular Dialogue"
?
The MoF-NGO Regular Dialogue is a series of regular consultations
between Japanese Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)/citizens'
groups and the Development Institutions Section of the Japan
Ministry of Finance (MoF). Participants meet to discuss development
assistance policies and individual projects financed by international
financial institutions, to promote transparency and accountability
of the Japanese government's role in multilateral development
banks (MDBs).
II. Aims and Goals of Participating NGOs
1. Long term goals
The goal of participants is to effect democratization in MDBs
like the World Bank (WB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB),
as well as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and to advocate
the establishment of sustainable development strategies -in
terms of environment, human rights, gender and local participation,
etc.- through the policies and lending activities of such
institutions.
2. Medium term goals
To promote public information and accountability by the Government
of Japan in its policies and stances within MDBs. At bare
minimum, to make information about the voting activities of
Japan's representatives to MDB Boards of Directors available
to the public, and to make these subject to debate/reportage
in the national legislature.
3. Short term goals
1) To stimulate citizen/NGO participation in Japan's aid policy
decision process, through regular meetings, and realize costructive
policy meetings between the citizens/NGO sector and the Japanese
government.
2) To make the regular meetings themselves accoutable and
transparent.
4. Purpose
In order to achieve the goals above, we will strive to do
the following through the regular meetings with the MoF:
1) Stimulate the exchange of views and information about MDB
and IMF aid policies and projects between the government and
citizens/NGOs, and improve transparency of MoF's of policy
decisions.
2) Influence policies of the Japanese government, as well
as voting activities of Japanese representavive directors
to MDBs, so that MDB policies and projects will consider environment,
participation, human rights and gender.
III. Topics/Themes
1) As a rule, matters related to the policies and projects
of MDBs (WB Group, ADB and other regional development banks)
and IMF.
2) From the above, matters related to the position/policy
of Japanese government.
3) Because the MoF is involved in other acitities closely
linked to Japan's basic governmental policies on aid and bilateral
Official Development Assistance (ODA), such as other development
funds (Japan Bank for International Cooperation -JBIC, Yen-denominated
loans) and macro-economic policy (for example, assistance
measures after the Asian economic crisis), these are also
deemed to fit within the discussion framework.
List of Past Agenda
IV. Frequency and Structure of Meetings
1) Four meetings per year, in principle. If a topic requires
urgent or further detailed discussion, a special meeting can
be organised.
2) Discussion topics, suggested by both NGOs and MoF, are
adjusted and finalized through each side's coordinating offices.
3) Meetings are chaired by an NGO representative.
4) Minutes are shared between the NGOs and MoF, and circulated
to relevant sections within the MoF.
5) Participation in the consultation is open to any individual/NGO
(Japanese or foreign) who agrees with the aims and goals listed
above.
6)Minutes of the meetings are open to the public.
Contact Person: Yuki
TANABE
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