The World Bank Board of Executive Directors said it approved in principle the creation of a Global Partnership for Social Accountability (GPSA). The GPSA is described as “a new mechanism to scale up and support social accountability by beneficiary groups and civil society organizations (CSOs) in developing countries.” The Bank’s Board will review operational details of the proposed Partnership in June. World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick commented, “The Bank understands now more than ever that citizen voice and the engagement of project beneficiaries are crucial for lasting development results. This new dedicated partnership will support critical work on social accountability, including beneficiary monitoring and oversight of projects and programs. I hope this new Partnership can become an integral part of the Bank Group’s work going forward.” The Bank said it plans to invest US$20 million in seed money to create the Partnership and will work with others to raise additional funds. The GSPA will focus on exchanging knowledge of best practice, as well as investing in projects to boost social accountability. The scope of the GPSA is global, and over 20 potential partners—including foundations, think tanks, governments and bilateral organizations – “have provided input to its design, along with more than 1,300 representatives of civil society organizations from 60 countries, who have participated in consultations on the proposed Partnership.” http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:23175490~pagePK:64257043~piPK:437376~theSitePK:4607,00.html?cid=EXT_TWBN_D_EXT