Embracing Change: An Update on Implementation of CGIAR Reforms, June 2009
June 19, 2009.
In December 2008, the CGIAR decided to change its governance structure
and way of doing business to respond more effectively to the needs of
its beneficiaries and to enhance its position as a key global provider
of agricultural research for development. Nearly six months into the
implementation phase of the Change Initiative, this edition of
Embracing Change highlights the progress made so far as we approach the
Executive Council meeting - a key landmark in the reform journey. It
also features a contribution from Tom Remington of Catholic Relief
Services, reporting on a CGIAR and civil society organization dialogue
about the change.
Next Checkpoint: ExCo
The Executive Council (ExCo) will convene from June 4-5 at CIAT in Cali,
Colombia, for what will be a pivotal moment in the implementation of the
CGIAR Change Initiative. Some have likened the implementation phase of the
reform process to a strenuous climb up a steep mountain. ExCo will serve
as a critical checkpoint in this ascent, assessing progress to date and
determining any changes needed as we continue to approach the summit.
At ExCo, the Transition Management Team (TMT)
<http://www.cgiar.org/changemanagement/cm_transitionteam.html> will
present the first concrete proposals for how the central elements of the
new CGIAR - the Fund and the Consortium - will operate.
Acting on behalf of all CGIAR Members, ExCo will evaluate the draft
constitution for the new Consortium, the framework for the Fund, the
Strategy and Results Framework, Mega Program mock-ups, the accountability
framework for the new system and preparations for the Global Conference on
Agricultural Research for Development (GCARD).
Entering into ExCo, the reform process will benefit from TMT's strong
leadership and the outcomes of recent preparatory meetings, notably the
meeting of the Alliance of the CGIAR Centers and the informal London
donors meeting. Both of these events, described below, undertook an early
evaluation of progress to date and made mid-stream adjustments prior to
ExCo. However, several issues remain to be addressed and the debate at
ExCo promises to be lively. The next edition of Embracing Change will
follow shortly after ExCo with information on key points of the discussion
and decisions made.
Consortium Design Milestone Reached
The Alliance of CGIAR Centers reached an important milestone at its recent
meeting on May 11-13 in Rome. Alliance leadership (Center Board Chairs and
Center Directors General) reached consensus on a workable model for the
Consortium constitution and the process for developing the Strategy and
Results Framework (SRF) and Mega Programs.
The Alliance examined all aspects of the draft constitution, using a set
of key design questions previously discussed with stakeholders on a range
of topics - decision making, fund allocation, Consortium Office
financing, the Consortium's role in organizational redesign and the
Consortium Board. The draft constitution reflects unanimous agreement on a
number of key Consortium design issues. However, the Center Boards have
yet to approve the draft constitution.
With regard to the Strategy and Results Framework and the Mega Programs,
the Alliance approved the approach proposed by the Strategy Team, led by
Joachim von Braun, Director General of IFPRI. Analytical quantitative and
qualitative work on the Strategy and Results Framework and Mega Programs
will take place through the end of July, under the leadership of the
Strategy Team in cooperation with CGIAR Centers and partners.
Consultations with partners and stakeholders will take place during
June-August, culminating in a draft for wider circulation and consultation
With a "green light" from ExCo, the second phase of the Consortium
development will pick up speed between June and December, involving
further elaboration of the Strategy and Results Framework and Mega
Programs, nomination and selection of the inaugural consortium Board,
design of the Consortium Office and development of a proposal for shared
services. In addition, the cost of the new Consortium will be evaluated
and a transition plan developed. Over the coming months, the Alliance will
engage with stakeholders, including the donor community, and with the
Global Conference on Agricultural Research for Development process. The
Alliance will next meet in late October to prepare for the CGIAR Business
meeting in December.
A full report of the Alliance meeting will be available on the Alliance
information and communication website
<http://sites.google.com/a/cgxchange.org/alliance/> soon.
Informal London Donor Workshop Confirms CGIAR Reform is "On Track"
The Transition Management Team (TMT) convened an informal donors' workshop
in London on April 29-30 to provide an update on progress with many of the
key elements of the new CGIAR. The meeting allowed for an advanced
discussion of items on the agenda for ExCo-16, and feedback from those
discussions helped to inform final preparations for ExCo-16. Donors were
reassured that the reforms are "on track," but they expressed some
concerns as to whether we are moving quickly enough and whether the
changes are deep enough to create a new CGIAR able to meet development
goals directly. To learn more about this meeting, visit the change blog
cgiarchangemanagement.wordpress.com
<http://cgiarchangemanagement.wordpress.com/> , where you can hear
reactions from those who attended the workshop, including my own reaction
to the first day.
This site (http://sites.google.com/a/cgxchange.org/alliance/welcome
<http://sites.google.com/a/cgxchange.org/alliance/welcome> ) deals
specifically with the information arising, and being generated from, the
two elements of the transition that the Alliance is directly responsible
for leading - the creation of the Consortium of Centers and development of
the Strategy and Results Framework (SRF) and the Mega Programs. Updates on
progress and draft documents associated with the Consortium, SRF and Mega
Programs are all available here.
Source: <changeupdate@cgiar.org>
