Thank you all for your feedback on this blog. I’m glad that we’re engaging more and more on this critical initiative. I truly value the opportunity to learn more about stakeholders’ views and priorities and your comments are helping me and the Change Steering Team to develop options for transforming the CGIAR.
Through your comments, we’re hearing about research priorities you would like to see incorporated into the new vision of the CGIAR. For example, one comment stressed the importance of soil fertility research to identify means for improving integrated soil, water and nutrient management in sub-Saharan Africa. Such comments are extremely relevant, as we are working on developing the core elements of future CGIAR research.
Another comment focused on the high complexities and costs of the current monitoring and evaluation systems. This topic is central to the Change discussions. In fact, a new power point presentation on Change Management available in the change management briefcase presents this a one of the main issue areas in need of change.
The call for deeper consideration of how to cultivate a sense of community throughout the CGIAR, and how to create a new learning-oriented culture characterized by continuous innovation, flexibility and adaptability also resonates strongly with the change team. These questions are crucial, and a task force on cultural change will be established to address these types of issues. This group’s role will be to identify a set of critical new mindsets and behaviors that will help the System implement the Change Management outcomes. A sense of community, trust, and empathy are critical elements for transforming the CGIAR.
Now that the change options are becoming clearer, your insights and comments are extremely important. The draft papers on partnerships, governance and funding mechanisms are available on the CGIAR change website and on the Virtual Forums . These papers include detailed descriptions and rationales behind the various change models under discussion. I hope that these materials will encourage you to continue our and deepen our dialogue.
Also, I’m pleased to announce that we will have a “live blogger” at the upcoming Change Management Stakeholder Consultation in Los Baños, the Philippines, from September 7-9. Please check back during those dates to follow and participate in the discussions as they take place. Your input and feedback will help shape the future of the CGIAR.
Stay tuned!
Katherine Sierra
CGIAR Chair
Filed under: CGIAR Change Management, Messages from CGIAR Chair
re: monitoring & evaluation systems too complex
Involving non-CGIAR stakeholders concerned with the ‘pro-poor’ impact of the CGIAR’s work (NGO’s, farmer’s representatives, agribusiness representatives etc.) early (e.g. in planning phases) and repeatedly should make monitoring & evaluation more meaningful, possibly also less complex. This would also open up the CGIAR system and make it better known.
Many international organisations have been struggling to improve their dialogue or co-operation with “civil society” interest groups (e.g. non-government, non-donor, non-member), who have in turn become more professional in interacting with int orgs. The CGIAR could learn from those org’s.