‘CIFOR is the leading international forest research centre within its mandate… its research and policy oriented outcomes are significant and in many cases outstanding.’ These were the words Niels Elers Koch used in summarising the findings of CIFOR’s most recent External Programme and Management Review (EPMR).

As Chair of CIFOR’s second EPMR, Mr. Koch led a team of independent experts widely acknowledged for their skill and experience in research, administrative, governance and management. The panel was charged with making a comprehensive assessment of CIFOR, including its mission and strategy, programme priorities, the quality and relevance of its science, its achievements and impact, and the effectiveness of its management.

External reviews are an important management tool. They encourage transparency and accountability, and offer an objective evaluation of an organisation’s performance. For the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), these external evaluations provide donors and stakeholders with a rigorous assessment of a centre’s institutional health. They also provide the centre itself with objectively assessed information it can use in its own evaluation efforts.

In assessing CIFOR, the panel reviewed hundreds of documents provided by CIFOR, the CGIAR, and the Science Council, (the CGIAR body responsible for overseeing the EPMR process and the CGIAR’s system-wide strategic planning).

EPMR panel members examined CIFOR’s personnel, financial and physical resources, met with a large number of CIFOR staff and members of the Board of Trustees, and visited CIFOR’s research activities in Latin America and Central Africa. The panel also surveyed and interviewed stakeholders, donors and the Directors General of the other CGIAR centres.

Given such comprehensive research, Mr. Koch and his team were able to produce a strong critique of CIFOR’s strengths and weaknesses.

Overall the panel found CIFOR 'is highly appreciated for its credible and relevant high-quality research' and is considered 'a lead CGIAR centre in terms of communication strategies and effective outreach activities.'

The panel also recommended CIFOR revise its strategy, including its mission, vision, values and goals. Accordingly, CIFOR’s Board of Trustees and Management Group committed to developing a new strategy once Ms Frances Seymour, CIFOR’s newly appointed Director General, commences with CIFOR.

CIFOR management and staff feel both pleased with and proud of the EPMR’s outcome. In their joint response to the report, the Chair of CIFOR’s Board of Trustees, Angela Cropper, and Director General, David Kaimowitz, described the report as very encouraging in ‘its endorsement of CIFOR as a leading international forest research centre, in its recognition of the relevance and credible high quality of the centre’s research, and in its acknowledgement of CIFOR as a lead CGIAR centre with respect to communication strategies and outreach activities.’

They also acknowledged the report’s recommend-ations would provide ‘a strong platform from which to further develop (CIFOR’s) research and communication agenda, with a strong pro-poor approach.’

‘We appreciate that these recommendations and suggestions are clearly aimed at strengthening the research, governance and operations of the centre, an objective which we share,' CIFOR's response stated.

CIFOR’s Assistant Director General, Yemi Katerere, was also very appreciative of the panel’s report, saying ‘The EPMR was very positive and provides valuable recommendations for moving forward. For our external constituencies, the EPMR confirms CIFOR is relevant, and strongly reaffirmed the need for an international centre focused on research about how forest policies can reduce poverty and promote sustainable forest management.’ GC