The AI Appeals Board considers appeals claiming that the World Bank has improperly or unreasonably restricted access to information that it would normally disclose under the AI Policy, after the AI Committee (first stage of appeal) has confirmed the World Bank’s decision to deny access to the information. The AI Appeals Board decisions on appeals are publicly available.
The AI Appeals Board is an impartial body that considers second-stage appeals under the AI Policy consisting of three independent, outside experts nominated by the World Bank's President and endorsed by the World Bank's Board of Executive Directors. The AI Appeals Board members are appointed to serve a specific term. The AI Appeals Board terms of reference are public (AIAB TOR).
The AI Appeals Board is bound by the AI Policy and follows the AIAB Operating Procedures when discharging its functions.
The Annual Reports of the Access to Information Policy record the number of appeals filed before the AI Appeals Board each year.
Appeals and other communications to the AI Appeals Board should be submitted through the case management system in the Member Center.
The AI Appeals Board members form a roster out of which three members are selected to decide on appeals as appeals are submitted to the AI Appeals Board. AI Appeals Board members are:
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Ms. Kristin Brudy-Everett, a United States national, is the Senior Component Official for Privacy and Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) Officer for the U.S. Department of Justice Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, where she oversees the division’s privacy, FOIA, and information law matters. Formerly, Ms. Brudy-Everett was an Assistant United States Attorney in the Civil Division of the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, where she litigated information law and immigration cases. Her previous roles were with the White House Council on Environmental Quality and U.S. Department of Homeland Security, where she started as a part of the prestigious Presidential Management Fellow program. |
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Ms. Obioma Okonkwo, a Nigerian national, currently serves as an Advisory Board member of the Digital Democracy Initiative, an initiative funded by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Norwegian Government, and European Union to strengthen civic engagement and promote inclusive democracy in the digital era in Global Majority. Obioma has also served as Head of Legal at Media Rights Agenda in Nigeria, where she spearheaded crucial advocacy campaigns, training programs, research initiatives, and legal proceedings focused on advancing access to information on a national, regional, and international level. From 2018 to 2021, Ms. Obioma worked as an attorney at the human rights law firm of Solomon Okedara & Co, where she deepened her expertise on human and digital rights advocacy. Her expertise has been recognized through numerous prestigious fellowships, including the International Strategy Forum, Open Internet for Democracy Leadership Program, Deutsche Welle Media Viability Ambassador Program, and the African School on Internet Governance. She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Olabisi Onabanjo University, Nigeria, and earned her Certificate of Legal Education from the Nigerian Law School, qualifying her as an Attorney-at-law. |
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Ms. Rosemary Agnew, a United Kingdom national, has been the Scottish Public Services Ombudsman since 1 May 2017, investigating and resolving or deciding complaints about the Scottish public sector (except Police). Her role also includes independent reviewer of applications to the Scottish Welfare Fund and the Complaints Standards Authority; setting standard complaint handling procedures, promoting good practice and monitoring Scottish public sector performance. From 2012 to 2017, Rosemary was the Scottish Information Commissioner, responsible for ensuring compliance by Scottish public authorities with the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 and the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004, including promoting good practice. She will serve as a principal member from February 1, 2022, to January 31, 2026. |
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Mr. Stuart Rick, a United States national, has extensive experience with the U.S. Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and was awarded by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management for his work as the agency’s final decision-maker on administrative appeals from initial denials of FOIA requests. After retiring from the U.S. Government as the Deputy General Counsel of the U.S. Office of Government Ethics, Stuart advised a Federal department on how to respond to FOIA appeals. Subsequently, for ten years Stuart was a consultant in the World Bank’s Office of Ethics and Business Conduct where he developed and implemented the Bank’s public declaration of interests program. |