News and Views From the Chair—CBC

Assuring Excellence in CGIAR Centers

The Committee of Board Chairs (CBC) continues to support the training of Center Board Members in board responsibility and governance mechanisms.

In partnership with the London, UK-based Institute of Directors and the CGIAR Secretariat, four orientation programs are planned for early 2005, two each to be held at the Addis campus of ILRI and WorldFish Center in Penang. In 2004, three orientation programs were conducted. When completed, over 70 Board Members will have benefited from this professional training opportunity.

Feedback provided by participants and external reviewers has helped to continuously improve the content of the programs. CBC strongly recommends that both current and new board members as well as Directors-General attend these orientation programs. We are grateful to Franklin Moore, USAID for reviewing the orientation programs held in Mexico. I invite and urge all Board Members who have not registered for the 2005 programs to please contact your Center Board Secretary to enroll.

The Annual General Meeting in Mexico adopted the first CGIAR Charter. The CBC is proud to have been a full partner in the drafting of the Charter. The Committee is also actively involved in the development of performance indicators. For the CGIAR stakeholders and investors, the adoption of creditable performance indicators represents a laudable milestone for the CGIAR.

Uzo Mokwunye, Chairman
Committee of Board Chairs (CBC)
and Chairman of the Board, ICRISAT