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December 19, 2008
This is the sixth in a series
of updates on CGIAR change
management from Katherine Sierra, CGIAR Chair, and the leaders
of the Change Steering Team, Rodney Cooke, IFAD, and Jonathan
Wadsworth, DFID.
A revitalized CGIAR is
approved
The 2008 Annual General
Meeting (AGM) in Maputo, Mozambique, marked a historic moment
for the CGIAR. The CGIAR Members adopted the proposal for a
revitalized CGIAR, ushering in a new era for our work together.
After a year of intensive effort to find the best way to
transform the CGIAR into a new and more effective organization,
we reached agreement on the way forward. More importantly, with
the agreed changes, we will be able to better help the billions
of people who depend on agriculture for a better future.
The change initiative has been a major collective effort, and we
want to thank everyone who contributed to the change initiative,
especially all the stakeholders who participated in working
groups and in consultations, both in person and virtually,
throughout 2008.
With the adoption of the reform proposal, the Change Steering
Team's work formally came to a close. Serving as members of the
CST has been an honor, and some of us will continue in new roles
as members of the Transition Management Team (TMT) <http://outlook.cgiar.org/exchange/changeupdate/Drafts/cm_transitionteam.html>
. More information on the transition follows.
Key decisions from the business meeting
At the AGM08 Business Meeting, we unanimously adopted the
proposal for a revitalized CGIAR. The proposal received broad
support from NARs, developing country and donor Members,
foundations and the Alliance of the CGIAR Centers. In endorsing
the proposal, participants noted the sense of urgency to act now
given the many global challenges agriculture is currently
facing, notably continued widespread hunger, increasing food
prices and the threat of global climate change. Several donors
expressed their confidence in the new CGIAR by committing to
contribute to the new Fund.
Results, research vitality, partnerships, accountability and
catalyzing mobilization of science were all strong themes during
the approval of the proposal. The need to create a clear voice
for the CGIAR and to position it as an actor playing a
significant role in addressing global challenges also was
emphasized. In approving the proposal, we agreed that the broad
architecture and principles have been outlined, but that
operational details would need to be worked out during the
transition process.
In broad terms, the key elements of the new model are:
1. A new vision and three people-centered strategic
objectives
2. A legal Consortium of Centers
3. A New CGIAR Fund
4. A results-focused investments guided by a Strategy
and results Framework
5. A Funders Summit to approve the Strategy and review
performance
6. Binding performance contracts between the
Consortium and Fund for mutual accountability
7. An open system with strong partnerships at all
levels
8. Independent Science and Partnership advice
9. Independent evaluation
10. A biennial conference on agriculture research for
development
The Consortium and Fund will be linked by a Strategy and Results
Framework implemented through Program Performance Contracts.
Stakeholders will provide input to the Strategy formulation
including through a biennial conference on agricultural research
for development. Partners will be actively engaged with
incentives built in at all levels, including eligibility for
funding. An Independent Science and Partnership Council (ISPC)
will provide support and advice. A full description of the
approved reform is available from the Change Management website.
What
next? The transition phase begins
Now that the proposal
for a revitalized CGIAR is approved, we will enter into a
transition phase. The CGIAR Members appointed a Transition
Management Team (TMT) <http://outlook.cgiar.org/exchange/changeupdate/Drafts/cm_transitionteam.html>
to oversee implementation of the agreed changes.
Over the course of 2009, the Consortium of Centers and the new
CGIAR Fund will be established. In addition to making changes to
our structures, we will need to change how we work together,
continuing to build a system mindset and strengthen our
partnerships. Streams of work, deliverables and timelines to
implement the transition are currently being developed by the
TMT. These will focus on the key elements of the new CGIAR,
namely the Consortium, Fund, Strategy and Results Framework,
Mega-programs, Partnerships, the Conference on Agricultural
Research for Development, accountability, monitoring and
evaluation, positioning of the CGIAR, systemwide issues, and
culture change and behavioral shifts.
During the transition, changes will be monitored ( in part by
the CST operating now as a sounding board to the TMT) to ensure
that they meet the criteria of clear strategic focus; increased
research output, outcome and impact; greater efficiency,
effectiveness and relevance; simplicity and clarity of
governance; enhanced decentralized decision making; and active
subsidiarity to capitalize on complementarities between the
Centers.
Live
blog from AGM08 - Sharing experiences and views
The events and
happenings at the CGIAR AGM08 were shared in real time through a
live blogger, Sue Parrot of Green Ink, UK. Parrot captured the
key messages of events and discussions and shared them via the
change management blog <http://cgiarchangemanagement.wordpress.com/>
. With more than 700 participants and a full agenda at AGM, the
blogging helped not only those participating remotely but also
those in Maputo stay abreast of happenings.
To capture the diversity of stakeholders and views in Maputo,
Parrot interviewed various participants to get their reactions
on the CGIAR change initiative. Interviews with the following
and additional people are available on the blog: Steve Hall,
Director General of WorldFish Center and new Alliance Executive
Chair <http://cgiarchangemanagement.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/beyond-agm08/>
; Jonathan Wadsworth, Co-Chair of the Change Steering Team <http://cgiarchangemanagement.wordpress.com/2008/11/30/welcome-to-agm08/>
; Jamie Watts, Institutional Learning and Change (ILAC <http://cgiarchangemanagement.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/the-ilac-initiative/>
); and Bala Ramani, Young Professionals' Platform for
Agricultural Research for Development (YPARD <http://cgiarchangemanagement.wordpress.com/2008/12/02/a-forum-for-young-scientists/>
).
Key reccurring messages from the blogs convey a sense of
consensus and excitement about the changes to revitalize the
CGIAR. The change process is seen as an opportunity to rethink
how we deliver our research for better results, build the
capacity of NARS, and share information, knowledge, expertise
and human resources across the System. There are calls for the
CGIAR to harmonize research and research management, speak with
a more coherent voice and overcome barriers and bureaucracies
that limit the CGIAR's potential impact. Additionally, greater
commitment is urged toward developing the talents and careers of
young scientists and professionals.
Stay tuned and stay engaged
How to stay informed
The Change Management website <http://outlook.cgiar.org/exchange/changeupdate/Drafts/index.html>
will continue to provide new information on the transition
process as it becomes available. Check back periodically to see
what information is new. You can also send questions related to
the transition via email to
cgiar@cgiar.org <mailto:cgiar@cgiar.org>
.
How to stay involved
The Change Management Blog <http://cgiarchangemanagement.wordpress.com/>
continues to be an excellent way to have your voice heard. Not
sure what to post on the blog? During the Alliance and Partners
Day at AGM08, participants were asked to commit to a change they
would make in order to help build the new CGIAR. Building on
this, we invite you to share a change you see as important that
you can commit to make as we enter into this new era for the
CGIAR.
Remember, comments can be posted anonymously if you prefer,
simply provide a valid email address and writing 'Anonymous' in
the name field. You can also express your views and opinions by
sending an email to
cgiar@cgiar.org <mailto:cgiar@cgiar.org>
.
Looking for a simple explanation of the changes ? Watch the
Change video
The Knowledge Sharing Project of the CGIAR ICT-KM Program
and the CGIAR Secretariat worked together to produce a creative
short video about the change process, which is helping to inform
partners and the public alike about the transformations taking
place in the CGIAR. It was launched at the AGM08 and is
available online to the public. Click here <http://ictkm.wordpress.com/2008/11/28/revitalized-cgiar/>
to watch and share the video with your colleagues.
Katherine Sierra, Rodney Cooke, Jonathan
Wadsworth |
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