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
31 August 2006
                             Media contact: Surendra Varma (s.varma@CGIAR.ORG)
 
Board Chair Addresses Research Staff
A view of the research staff who were present at the Board Chair's briefing.
Following the Board meeting, on 20 August, Dr Guido Gryseels, Board Chair, along with Dr Mahmoud Solh, Director General, addressed the research staff of ICARDA to share the outcomes of the meeting, as well as outline key priorities and action plans for the coming months.

Dr Solh opened the meeting by thanking Dr Gryseels for agreeing to share the Board deliberations with the research staff. Dr Gryseels, in his opening remarks, said that the objective of the meeting was part of a move to improve communication between the Board and staff. He thanked the staff for their hard work and dedication which culminated in ICARDA emerging as an 'Outstanding Center' in 2005 in the performance measurement rating conducted by the CGIAR. Only two of the 15 Centers were rated outstanding. "This is an achievement we can all be modestly proud of," he said. Expressing the Board's concern about the recent events in Lebanon, Dr Gryseels said that, in spite of the difficult situation, the Board remained undeterred about holding its meeting in Aleppo. "If the staff are in Aleppo, there was no reason why the Board should not be."

Board Chair, Dr Guido Gryseels (left), in the company of Dr Mahmoud Solh, Director General, addressed the research staff on 20 August.
Dr Gryseels informed the staff that Dr Solh completed his first 100 days in office just before the Board meeting, and presented a summary of actions and initiatives taken during the period to the Board. These include significant austerity measures, new initiatives for resource mobilization, and steps to establish a new Priorities and Strategies Committee (see page 3 for a summary of Dr Solh's presentation). The Board greatly appreciated the actions and initiatives taken by Dr Solh, and assured him of its full support in his plans for the future, Dr Gryseels said. These plans include completion of the strategic planning process, development of a resource mobilization strategy, and a review of staffing and human resources, including succession planning.

EPMR Recommendations
Commenting on the EPMR recommendations, Dr Gryseels said the report is generally positive. It highlights the very positive feedback from ICARDA's stakeholders; and commends the quality and relevance of ICARDA's research; the sound financial management; the strength of regional programs, and the Center's strong relationships with NARS partners throughout the dry areas. Here are some excerpts from the report:
•
 ICARDA, in collaboration with the NARS, has developed an excellent outreach effort through its regional programs, and is now an important player in the development and dissemination of agricultural knowledge in the CWANA region.
•
 There is a high commitment to meeting the challenges of agriculture in the dry areas.
•
 The publications record of several scientists is internationally competitive.
•
 ICARDA has an excellent reputation with its NARS partners for the provision of improved germplasm. The genetic resources activities and the support provided by ICARDA's genebank are highly regarded.
•
 ICARDA activities have had significant impact on improving agricultural productivity and livelihoods in several developing countries in the dry areas.

The EPMR Panel made 22 recommendations for improving the performance of ICARDA, which were generally accepted by the Center. In summary, the Panel identified the following strategic issues that need consideration by ICARDA:
-
 global mission vs regional mandate
-
 positioning of ICARDA in the R&D continuum, including involvement in development and post-conflict rehabilitation activities
-
 realignment of the program structurestrengthening of specific thematic areas
-
 Center governance issues

Implementation of the recommendations is already under way. The re-alignment of the research portfolio will be implemented after the new strategic plan has been developed and ratified as recommended by the EPMR.
The Board of Trustees of ICARDA. Front row (left to right): Prof. Aigul Abugalieva; Dr Kjersti Larsen; Dr Guido Gryseels, Chair; Dr Mahmoud Solh (DG, ex-officio member); Dr Teresa Fogelberg, Chair, Audit Committee; Dr Mohamed S Zehni, Vice-Chair of the Board and Chair, Nomination Committee. Back row (left to right): Prof. Dr Shinobu Inanaga;
Dr Michel A. Afram; Dr Majd Jamal, Vice-Chair, Program Committee; Dr Talal Bakfalouni;
Dr Abdelmajid Slama; Dr Henri Carsalade;
Dr David J Sammons, Chair, Program Committee.

ICARDA's response to the EPMR recommendations will be reviewed by the Science Council and presented at the Annual General Meeting of the CGIAR in December 2006 to complete the review process.

Dr Gryseels thanked the staff for the enormous amount of work carried out by them in preparing for the EPMR.

Strategic Plan 2007-2016
Commenting on the development of a new strategic plan, Dr Gryseels said that efforts to develop a new strategy began in 2004, and an initial draft has been prepared. This will be revised in light of new geopolitical developments, recommendations of the EPMR, and the views of the new ICARDA management. A revised draft is expected to be ready by November 2006. Iterations and wide consultation with NARS and other stakeholders will continue, and a final draft will be placed before the Board at its annual meeting in March 2007, in Beirut. The entire process will be guided by a proposed Priorities and Strategies Committee for resource mobilization, for which the terms of reference were approved by the Board.

Communication between Board and Staff
"Staff are the major strength of any institute. We will take every step necessary, do everything we can, as a Board, to support you in your work," said Dr Gryseels. First, communication between staff and the Board will be improved - this meeting is only a first step in that direction. The Board will carefully consider staff suggestions. A Center-Commissioned External Review (CCER) will be conducted in late 2006, in line with EPMR recommendations, focusing on corporate services, finance, and human resources. The Board will henceforth meet twice a year (alternately at headquarters and an outreach location), rather than once.
  

About ICARDA: Established in 1977, ICARDA (www.icarda.org) 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.
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