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ICARDA News International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas P.O. Box 5466, Aleppo, Syria Phone: (963-21) 2213433, 2213477, 2225112, 2225012 Fax: (963-21) 2213490, 2225105; E-mail: ICARDA@CGIAR.ORG Website: www.icarda.org
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Media
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icarda-media@cgiar.org
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Restructuring
the CGIAR
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CGIAR is in the process of reviewing its organizational structure,
governance and funding mechanisms, in an effort to improve the efficiency
of the System, reduce bureaucracy, and improve synergies between CGIAR
Centers. The process is moving forward quickly, as reflected by discussions
at the CGIAR Independent Review, Stakeholders’ Consultation,
and Change Management Workshop held at IRRI headquarters in the
Philippines, 6-10 September. ICARDA was represented by Drs Guido Gryseels and Mahmoud Solh. Dr Gryseels is Chair of the Board Alliance and of ICARDA’s Board of Trustees; and member of the CGIAR Working Group on Governance. Dr Solh is Director General of ICARDA and member of the Working Group on Funding Mechanisms.
A preliminary model of structure and governance has been developed, and will be further discussed amongst the Centers. This takes a firm step towards common systems (e.g. accounting and other services), and opens the possibilities of clustering or even mergers between Centers in areas of extensive overlap. Considerable work is still ahead: developing the right frameworks, legal structures, and a formal constitution for any new entity, such as the proposed Consortium Board; and most important, obtaining funding commitments. But good progress has been made. In fact, in the past two years several large projects have been initiated, involving several centers, working with a wide range of partners, without significant additional transaction costs. The Board Alliance’s proposal on changes in governance will be presented to the CGIAR Executive Committee at a meeting in Lisbon, 1-2 October. The Alliance will be represented by Drs Guido Gryseels, Andrew Bennett, Emile Frison and Stephen Hall. |
About
ICARDA: Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.org) is one of the 15
international research centers supported by the Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). ICARDA serves the entire
developing world for the improvement of barley, lentil, and faba bean;
and dry-area developing countries for the on-farm management of water,
improvement of nutrition and productivity of small ruminants (sheep and
goats), and rehabilitation and management of rangelands. In the Central
and West Asia and North Africa (CWANA) region, ICARDA is responsible for
the improvement of durum and bread wheats, chickpea, pasture and forage
legumes and farming systems; and for the protection and enhancement of
the natural resource base of water, land, and biodiversity.
The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
(www.cgiar.org) is a strategic alliance of countries, international and
regional organizations, and private foundations supporting15 international
research centers that mobilizes cutting-edge science to promote sustainable
development by reducing hunger and poverty, improving human nutrition
and health, and protecting the environment.