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News and Views From the Chair—CBC
The Committees of Board Chairs (CBC) and Center Directors
(CDC) met at ISNAR in May to discuss issues arising
from restructuring of the CGIAR System, including ways
in which to better coordinate and harmonize Centers’
efforts in areas ranging from the System Office to improved
Center collaboration through the Challenge Programs.
A joint statement from the two Committees was produced,
tabled and shared with the CGIAR Executive Council in
Paris (to view statement, click on http://www.cgiar.org/exco/Final_Joint_CBC-CDC_Statement.pdf).
The main points included:
- During its meeting in February, the CDC drafted
a Code of Conduct for the CDC and the Challenge Programs
to help clarify roles and optimize synergy between
the Centers.
- In an effort to streamline work in a more cooperative
and collaborative fashion, the Centers agreed to pursue
further the idea of a Centers Alliance, to provide
the necessary oversight and coordination of Center
programs, including the joint work underway within
the System Office, as part of the reform program.
- The Committees stressed the importance of a strong
and independent Science Council that could speak to
the scientific and programmatic work of the Centers,
and emphasized the need for a strong selection process.
- Discussion also centered on the work of the Executive
Council and its committees, particularly the role
of the Program Committee and its eventual interaction
with the Science Council. The Committees emphasized
that ExCo was not created to function as a decision-making
body.
- The potential impact of the Challenge Programs
on the work of the Centers (and a lack of new funding)
was also discussed. Specifically the potential impact
of maintaining Centers’ mandates and reversing
the decline in funding levels for core activities
was emphasized.
- The CGIAR Annual General Meeting (AGM) was discussed
and a need identified to enhance the dialogue between
the membership and the Centers during future meetings.
The Centers gave preliminary discussion to the establishment
of a scientific symposium (held every one to two years)
that could be initiated to ensure maximum exposure
to the work and activities of the Centers and its
stakeholders.
- The review processes for the System were addressed
on several levels — including preliminary discussion
for codes of conduct for operation and management
issues, including the benefits of unified program
and management reviews. The recent restructuring report
for ISNAR received special attention.
- Public awareness efforts and resource mobilization
was also discussed, in follow-up to the external review
of the Future Harvest Foundation, with a new strategy
for the System going forward to further complement
and align the work of the Centers by AGM ‘03.
John Vercoe, Chairman
Committee of Board Chairs (CBC)
and Chairman of the Board, ILRI
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