In this four-part journey, we try to work out the best possible solutions for the communities that complain. However, what we find most interesting is discovering, along the way, game-changing lessons, collected from our failures and successes.

We strive to draw out cohesive lessons, and recommendations for general application in future development projects. These lessons and recommendations are intended to provide opportunities to improve project design and implementation and strengthen the accountability of of Asian Development Bank (ADB) operations. The spirit of our work is fact-finding and not fault-finding.

ADB works hard to utilize project grievance redress mechanisms to find solutions when project scoping, design, or implementation adversely affects people and/or the environment.

But not all grievance redress mechanisms work as effectively as hoped. On these occasions, ADB needs a mechanism of last resort for empowering project-affected people to make sure the institution complies with its own policies and procedures and to seek solutions for those our projects have unintentionally harmed. The Accountability Mechanism (AM) helps ADB learn from the people and places affected by its work so it can strive to do better.

While searching for solutions, we gather common threads forming trends in noncompliance with environmental and social safeguards.

Knowledge of these trends—and corresponding behavioral and operational improvements—can improve project design and reduce grievances, thereby strengthening development effectiveness. This year, the most common threads included the need for comprehensive baseline data, more attention to vulnerable groups, engaging differently with stakeholders, internalizing ADB policies, understanding the mandate of the Accountability Mechanism Policy, conducting prompt and regular assessments of project implementation, and crafting timely and comprehensive corrective and/or remedial action plans. Problem-solving cases also highlighted that issues get escalated to the AM due to lack of trust and communication among different stakeholders.

The aspirations and ideas of the AM for contributing to stronger and more transparent accountability are rooted in the premise that every day is a fresh beginning. Each day offers lessons—we all know that. The challenge is creating sustainable pathways for learning that fosters institutional wisdom. Once harnessed, lessons on accountability lead to experience and better ways of doing the ADB core business of poverty alleviation by leaving no one behind.

This year, we want to leave food for thought by asking a critical question:

"Are mistakes always a bad thing?"

Mistakes often allow one to examine what worked or what has not, even more so than successes. We learn more from our mistakes than from our successes. It can nurture critical and analytical thinking, and strategic planning skills, allowing one to regroup and plan better for next time. Accountability respects our mistakes and does not reject them so we can learn and do better. Regardless of how we grow, a few qualities will continue to guide us—openness, ethics, and natural justice.

As the great philosopher Jalāl al-Dīn Rūmī said, "If you are irritated by every rub, how will you become polished?"