Message from the Chairman and Director


Dear Colleagues:

We are pleased to present you with this issue of the new electronic version of CGIAR News. We received favorable feedback on the first issue. Various representatives of CGIAR members, in particular, commented that they found it a convenient and useful window on recent developments in the Center’s collaborative agricultural research, and on CGIAR business.

As we mentioned in March, each issue of e-CGIAR News will offer a personal view from people who, in different ways, are shaping and advancing the work of the Centers supported by the CGIAR. This time, though, instead of an interview with a single outstanding individual, we have included a report based on the testimonies of 11 young Japanese scientists, whose future plans, research capacities and even outlook on life have been enriched by short but intense and meaningful interactions with top Center scientists and the national staff who work with them. These experiences provide eloquent testimony to the continuing success of the Japan-CGIAR Fellowship Program, which has been developed and supported by JIRCAS.

In recent months we have been engaged in other, equally productive ways with CGIAR Members, specifically through visits to China, Belgium and The Netherlands. Each visit has brought opportunities for constructive dialog about the issues and challenges that unite us in our commitment to agricultural research for development.

At mid-year, our thoughts are turning to the next Annual General Meeting (AGM06) and associated events, to be held in Washington, D.C. The Meeting will be held from December 4 - December 7 in Washington, DC, at the Hilton Washington Hotel and the World Bank. Events will commence at the Hilton Washington Hotel with Center and Members Day on December 4, followed by the Stakeholders Forum, which this year will be focused on engagement with civil society. The Business Meeting will be held at the World Bank main complex building on December 6 & 7.

This format reflects a number of suggestions made in the AGM surveys including an extended Business Meeting. Also as a result of the survey, there will be no Ministerial Roundtable held this year. Given the length of visa application processes worldwide please ensure you apply for your visas as soon as possible and please contact us at agm06@cgiar.org if you require assistance.

Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy the accompanying stories, which underscore the benefits of CGIAR Center research, the power of our partnerships and the value of the generous support this work receives from the 64 members of the CGIAR.

Sincerely,

Ian Johnson CGIAR Chairman

Francisco Reifschneider CGIAR Director