Report of the CGIAR Sub-Saharan Africa Task Forces : the Tervuren Consensus

Abstract

The CGIAR created two Task Forces (TFs) to conduct a study on rationalization of CGIAR operations across the System, starting with Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). TF1 was asked to examine CGIAR’s work in terms of its programmatic coherence with and relevance to the CGIAR’s vision, goals and its clients’ needs, with a view to identifying opportunities for integration and synergies. TF2 was given the task of reviewing the strengths and weaknesses of the existing System arrangements and identify opportunities for organizational adjustments towards increasing effectiveness and efficiency of CGIAR research. The two TFs decided to work closely together, hold joint meetings, and prepare a joint report. The observations and conclusions presented in this report were drawn based on data or information collected from available published documents/reports and using instruments which included the following: 1) a survey of the perceptions of the CGIAR stakeholders in SSA; 2) a survey of the CGIAR Centers infrastructure, staff resources, funding, program focus, and interaction with partners (mode and product of cooperation) in the region; and 3) field consultations/visits undertaken by consultants engaged by the TFs. This report was discussed at the Business Meeting at AGM2005.