The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the need to shift the face-to-face programs and activities of OSPF to a virtual initiative with the use of Zoom and Microsoft Teams platforms (photo by Willie Agliam).
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in the need to shift the face-to-face programs and activities of OSPF to a virtual initiative with the use of Zoom and Microsoft Teams platforms (photo by Willie Agliam).
Mediation Training
The OSPF, together with the Budget, People and Management Systems Department, organized the pilot Basic Mediation Training in June 2021. This was conducted virtually by the Singapore International Mediation Centre primarily for ADB staff from different ADB operations departments who play a role in project implementation. This training program aimed to equip ADB project staff with skills and knowledge to conduct mediations and apply mediation concepts and processes complementary to the design of project-level grievance redress mechanism (GRM), ADB operations complaint-handling processes, as well as the OSPF’s overall problem-solving framework. Throughout the 6-day sessions of the pilot program, elements, key features and stages of mediation, online mediation, cultural considerations in mediation, and contextualizing stages of mediation were discussed. Due to high demand, the second cohort of the Basic Mediation Training was rolled out in November 2021.
Some participants from the first and second cohorts of the Basic Mediation Training decided to join the Advanced Mediation Training conducted virtually also by the Singapore International Mediation Centre in December 2021. This advanced training focused on conflict management styles, power imbalance, self-awareness and internal bias, impartiality, problem-solving skills, overcoming impasse, managing multiparty/multi-representative mediations, cultural awareness, and diversity and their impact on mediation. A total of 50 ADB staff completed the Basic and Advanced Mediation Training.
Training on Grievance Redress Mechanism for ADB-Assisted Projects in Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and Nepal
Building Foundation for Effective Social Inclusion in Ger Areas
The video is a case study of the Office of the Special Project Facilitator (OSPF) dispute resolution process for complaints on an urban project in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. In March 2018, the OSPF received a complaint from a group of project-affected people alleging damages and negative impacts due to land acquisition and property valuation of the project. The OSPF also customized a capacity-building program to equip complainants with communication and negotiation skills prior to the negotiations. Throughout the problem-solving process, engagement of all stakeholders was assured through joint meetings where issues were discussed and addressed. Apart from building parties’ trust, the extensive meetings improved the likelihood that agreed actions are implemented and followed through.
Building Bridges: Lessons from Problem-Solving in Viet Nam
This video summarizes the case study of the Central Mekong Delta Region Connectivity Project in Viet Nam conducted jointly by the Office of the Special Project Facilitator and the Viet Nam Resident Mission of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). The project was classified Category A for both involuntary resettlement and environmental safeguards. However, despite its significant impacts, a range of innovative tools and approaches contributed to a complex and multifaceted, project-level Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) that was able to effectively handle more than 950 complaints. This joint case study documents successful experiences and best practices, and also analyzes the operation of various enablers before offering important lessons for ADB operations staff and ADB-assisted project partners about how to devise and implement similar GRMs for problem-solving in their future projects.