Abstract:

At ICW99, the CGIAR requested TAC to lead an exercise to help address the future of the CGIAR (horizon 2005-2010) and to define: where we should be; what we should be doing and producing; how we should be doing it and with whom. In so doing, TAC was asked to involve the centres and seek the views of CGIAR Members and stakeholders. It was expected that the Committee would draw on previous work and move quickly to ensure completion of the task for consideration and adoption at MTM2000. To initiate the work, TAC Chair invited key stakeholders to a brainstorming session at the TAC Secretariat, which identified tentative issues and approaches for addressing the exercise. The TAC Secretariat reviewed the relevant documentation including background papers prepared for the system review. Various think pieces were commissioned to external experts and views were sought from stakeholders and a number of leading authorities. TAC subsequently organised a one month long electronic conference on a new vision and strategy for the CGIAR with logistical support from RIMISP in Chile. Four hundred participants, 300 of whom outside the CGIAR, subscribed to this open consultation labelled CGIAR 2010.