text: view, have been reasonably reached by any Panel, however composed. For that reason, the Applicant's proposed studies in Ottawa were not considered to be "clearly in the interest of the Organization" as required by ST/AI/281. The Tribunal therefore does not accept the Applicant's contention that the denial of his request for assistance was due to prejudice or, as he puts it, the failure of the Respondent to "afford equitable representation [on the Panel]". VI.The Applicant has contended that an elected official of the Staff Committee ought not to be a member of a Panel dealing with the case of an individual staff member. ST/AI/281 is silent on this point and the Staff Rules do not explicitly address the question of bias or conflict of interest, actual or apparent, in connection with membership of such a Panel. These important matters are, however, for consideration by the Administration rather than by the Tribunal. VII.Furthermore, the Tribunal does not consider that proof of prejudice can be found in the grant of assistance to two staff members other than the Applicant. Bearing in mind the limited resources of the Organization, mentioned in ST/AI/281, paragraph 7, a choice had to be made, and the Panel was of the opinion that the subject-matter of the Conference was more closely related to the work of the other two staff members than to that of the Applicant. VIII.The Applicant arranged to attend the Ottawa Conference at his own expense, and then claimed reimbursement from the Administration. This, in the view of the Tribunal, in no way strengthened his claim. IX.The Applicant claims to be entitled to compensation on the ground that the Joint Appeals Board (JAB) had deprived him of due process, in not granting him an oral hearing. It is, however,- 8 -
analysis: The text appears to be related to a staff member's request for assistance to attend a conference, and the subsequent appeal to a tribunal. The discussion revolves around the criteria for granting assistance, the composition of a panel, and the staff member's claims of prejudice and lack of due process. The text does not seem to be related to any specific field of science, technology, or industry, and it does not mention economic development, natural resources, or humanitarian aid. Therefore, it is likely that the text is related to the internal functioning of an organization or institution.