Update from Kuala Lumpur Meeting, 4-7th July 2019

The Governance Reforms Commission and the Resource Allocation Commission both met for the first time on the 5-6th July 2019 in Kuala Lumpur.

The meetings coincided with the ESEAOR Regional Meeting (which included a meeting of the Member Association Executive Directors on 4-5th July, followed by the Regional Council on 6-7th July).

On 5th July, the two Commissions came together for an informal meet and greet. They then had separate, formative meetings. The agenda looked at the terms of reference, the process of the reform, as well as content driven discussion about their respective subject matter.

The Commissions were able to schedule regional and other key consultations and agreed the content and format for the web-based survey which will provide a channel for online consultation. They agreed to delegate commission representation to one or two people per commission per meeting.

IPPF Independent Governance Reform Commission (IGRC) meeting

All Commission members attended the Kuala Lumpur meeting, some in person and others virtually. The wide range of skills, expertise and experience of the 10-person Commission was evident as they discussed their task to deliver a series of findings, actionable recommendations and a proposal to improve IPPFs governance and constitutional arrangements.

Chaired by Steven Sinding, former Director General of IPPF, the Commission reviewed its Terms of Reference, agreed to the content of an online survey, reflected on research being conducted on governance structures of comparable organizations and discussed the Commission’s methodology.

The Commission’s scope of work is to focus on governance structures and processes at global and regional levels, with attention to the relationships between the regions and MAs. It does not include issues at the national level, nor does it look into larger questions about volunteering or working through non-MA partners.

The Commission is expected to present outputs:

A report that captures the main features from recent governance reviews, contains commission specific findings, presents comparative studies/findings from other federative structures and puts forward specific options and recommendations to guide an IPPF proposal.

A proposed improved and agile IPPF governance structure and aligned constitutional arrangements that align to the necessary radical reform and that can be voted on at the extraordinary General Assembly to be held in November 2019.

IPPF Independent Resource Allocation Commission (IRAC) meeting

All Commission members attended the meeting, again some in person and others virtually.

Chaired by Gill Greer, former Director General of IPPF, the Commission reviewed its Terms of Reference, agreed to the content of an online survey, considered existing resource allocation models in the development sector and discussed the format for the report and recommendations.

The Commission’s scope of work is to focus on the model for how unrestricted funding is shared among the IPPF membership.

The Commission is expected to present two outputs:

A report that presents learnings from previous attempts to modify the allocation model used to distribute core resources model, contains commission specific findings, presents comparative studies/findings from other global funds (GFATM, GAVI, etc) and puts forward specific options to guide an IPPF proposal focused on radical reform.

A proposal to improve/appropriate IPPF resource allocation arrangements that can be voted on at the extraordinary General Assembly to be held in November 2019.

The report and the associated proposal will be written by the Commission Chair, on the basis of the input received in the consultation process.
Commissions meeting with ESEAOR’s EDs, Regional Council and Youth Representatives

At a meeting with the ESEAOR EDs in the Commissions laid out their terms of reference and took questions. It provided the opportunity for the Commissions to ask questions of the EDs about the current governance system and the resource allocation model. The session was particularly helpful for the independent and external commissioners, providing an opportunity to engage with the Member Associations and insight into how IPPF operates.

The EDs were very supportive of the reform, but they also expressed anxiety about the recent resignation of the Director General as well as the WHR withdrawal, especially to the extent of the impact and potential changes that would be needed in the MAs. There was a deep understanding of the high stakes should the reform fail.

On the 6th July, the Commission consulted with the ESEAOR Regional Council, including the Youth Representatives, and provided them an opportunity to ask questions of the commission members.

The Director General was also present at the meeting, and he had several meetings with the ESEAOR delegates including an open and heartfelt exchange with the Youth Representatives, who held him to his promise of a more transparent and open IPPF. They insisted that a third-party review be commissioned for the end of the strategic period to look at the extent to which the reform outcomes were met. The Director General agreed to the request.

Next steps for the Commissions – Consultation

An on-line survey will be launched w/c 15th July to obtain views on the effectiveness of IPPFs current governance structures and ideas for its future design. The survey will be sent to all MA board presidents and all MA Executive Directors, whose responses are expected by 31st July. In addition, the survey will be posted on the Commissions’ website so that all interested individuals may respond.

Dates will be provided shortly. Commissioners will attend regional meetings for face-to-face discussion with MAs. Consultation has already taken place with the EN region, with donors in London during the donors meeting and with the ESEAOR in Kuala Lumpur. Commissioners will attend meetings in Nairobi and Delhi in the coming weeks. Meetings are also being planned for WHR, Arab World and Central Office. Further opportunities for consultation will be provided through webinars.

Specific consultation aimed at youth will take place via regional youth meetings and through social media platforms being set up for the purpose.