There could be no more powerful demonstration of the importance of the work of the CGIAR than the current food price crisis. The most recent Change Retreat in Ottawa, May 11 & 12, was held against the backdrop of worldwide analysis and reflection on the reasons for the crisis and unusual but welcome media interest in the mechanics of food production.

Energy prices, biofuels policies and changing demographics and dietary preferences have affected the cost of food. Furthermore, a gradual decline in investment in agricultural research over many years has meant that productivity gains have not kept up with burgeoning demand.

The purpose of the current Change Initiative is to ensure that the CGIAR is at the forefront of the agriculture debate and well positioned to improve the lives of poor farmers and consumers throughout developing countries. Further background materials and current thinking on the food price crisis are available at www.cgiar.org.

Change Structure

In the first Change Update we outlined our approach and the structure of the change group. We have opted for a broad consultative change process facilitated by The Trium Group (a consulting firm that specializes in organizational change), with support from the CGIAR Director and the Secretariat.

A Change Steering Team and four working groups representing stakeholders and shareholders have been established to address:

• visioning and development challenges,
• strategic partnerships,
• governance at the Center and CGIAR levels and
• funding mechanisms.

Action to Date

At the Addis retreat in April, the Change Steering Team and Visioning Working Group met together with a broad group of stakeholders including representatives from CGIAR Centers and the NARS. We discussed major development goals, development challenges and the CGIAR Centers distinctive competence in addressing these challenges. Following the Addis meeting the Visioning Working Group crafted a comprehensive Vision paper as a basis for extensive discussion with all working groups at the Ottawa workshop.

In Ottawa, approximately 60 participants, comprised of CGIAR Members, Center Director Generals, Center scientists, Science Council members, and representatives from national systems, civil society and the private sector, convened. Discussion centered on the importance of a pro-poor focus, the crucial need for economic growth and the value of innovation. Participants debated the value of refining the breadth of the CGIAR mandate within the context of the challenge of relevance and the CGIAR’s core distinctive competencies.

This discussion resulted in a revised Vision Paper that defines three new strategic objectives:

•  Food for People - Mobilize science and technology to accelerate sustainable increases in productivity and the production of healthy food by and for the poor.
• Environment for People - Mobilize science and technology to conserve, enhance and sustainably use natural resources and biodiversity to improve the livelihoods of the poor, and respond to climate change.
• Innovation for People - Mobilize science and technology to stimulate institutional innovation and enabling policies for pro-poor agricultural growth and gender equity.

The Vision Paper also defines a new CGIAR vision and mission, and provides guidance for a business plan model for the CGIAR. It was agreed that the proposed vision and mission language require further refinement, but the strategic objectives were endorsed by the Executive Council.

The business plan model will be developed with the input of all working groups, the Change Steering Team and a broader group of stakeholders over the course of this year. The Alliance and Science Council will work on this during June to work out how best to frame the business plan model approach.

The Working Groups on partnerships, governance and funding also met in Ottawa to develop their strategic thinking and determine how best they can contribute to the Change Initiative. The Working Groups have commissioned expert papers on best practice in partnerships, good governance and funding mechanisms with a view to generating innovative ideas around how to establish more effective governance, better partnerships and more reliable funding systems.

E-Discussion of the Vision Paper

As described above, the Vision Paper is beginning to flesh out our forward-looking strategic objectives. As a next step, we would like more views and input on this roadmap document. We plan to make the paper available and hold an E-discussion forum on it between June and September. Further information on the format and the timing of the discussion will be forthcoming on the change management website.

Change Initiative "Briefcase"

For anyone interested in learning more about the Change Initiative, a new resource is now available from the Change Initiative website. The Change Initiative “ briefcase” includes a presentation on the Change Process, frequently asked questions (FAQ) and an event calendar for individual use or as a set of information to take with you to your next meeting to share with colleagues and other stakeholders interested in how the CGIAR is evolving in tandem with our changing world. The briefcase will be updated with new resources over the course of the Change Initiative.

Stakeholder Voice and Blog

While many dedicated and well informed CGIAR stakeholders are already engaged in the Change Initiative, we also wish to gather the wisdom and knowledge of a broader group. During June we will launch a Change blog to open a wider discussion on the Change Initiative and develop E-discussion forums to gather perspectives on the thinking to date. We plan to launch the blog with an online chat session in mid June. We will send you an invitation to join once the timing is confirmed.

Opportunities to Engage Face-to-Face

In addition, all Change Steering Team members will be reaching out to stakeholders throughout 2008 presenting the change process and seeking feedback and input. The calendar on the Change Initiative website lists all events where the Change Initiative will be discussed. If you are attending any international meetings during this year which you think would be a useful opportunity to hold a Transforming CGIAR discussion, please let us know by sending an email to cgiar@cgiar.org – please include “change initiative” in subject line. We will be pleased to follow up. A major stakeholder consultation will also be held at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines in September. All working groups will present their conclusions at this workshop.

Independent Review

Linking to the Change Initiative will benefit from the extensive analysis being undertaken as part of the Independent Review of the CGIAR. To link the two efforts, the review chair, Elizabeth McAllister, serves as one of two external advisors to the steering team of the Change Initiative. Encompassing mainly the period from the beginning of reforms in 2002 through 2007, the Review seeks to determine, from an independent perspective, how well the CGIAR is “positioned to address emerging food security challenges” and to offer recommendations for change that will enhance its effectiveness. The Review team will provide an initial paper at the end of July. Subsequently, stakeholder consultation on these findings will be held at IRRI in September.

Please send any comments on this update or the Change Initiative to cgiar@cgiar.org.