The International Federation of Journalists, which is demanding international financial institutions to open their doors to greater public scrutiny, has called on the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) for improvements in its disclosure policies.

In a letter to the Bank’s President Jean Lemierre the IFJ, which has campaigned vigorously for open government within the European Union and at the World Bank, says the Bank should release draft reports on country strategies to give people in countries affected by Bank programmes the right to know what is going on. Each year the Bank prepares country programmes worth millions of Euro after discussions with governments in the region, but often the public is kept in the dark about the detail.

“The limited nature of the Bank’s call for comment will fail to generate media coverage that might educate and inform the public,” says IFJ General Secretary Aidan White. The IFJ says that the bank’s tentative approach will hinder public debate “The opportunity for public views is given, but the object is heavily veiled.”

The IFJ says that administrative costs of delay to permit fuller public discussion are far outweighed by the “benefits of stimulating a healthier public dialogue.”

The IFJ’s intervention comes as the bank is reviewing its disclosure policy and plans revisions that do not go far enough in the eyes of journalists. “Closed door decision-making generates suspicion, “ says Aidan White.

“The bank will keep public comments private and journalists will not be able to write about various proposals made. In all, the draft policy will limit public participation contradicting European Union policies set in the Contonou agreement. The IFJ also notes that a failure to translate materials into national languages in countries like Kazakhstan, Belarus and Kyrgystan will discriminate against sections of the population.

Finally, the IFJ appeals to the Bank President for officials to go back to the drawing board and draft more meaningful reforms.