ESEAOR Executive Directors letter to the Commissions following their meeting in Kuala Lumpur, 4-5th July 2019

Dear Regional Director, Director General and IPPF Executive Committee

We would like to thank the Regional Director of ESEAOR for the opportunity for the ESEAOR Executive Directors to discuss matters in relation to the IPPF Governance and Resource Allocation processes that are currently underway.

Our discussions were very productive and led to a number of reflections that we would like to be considered as IPPF moves through its transformation processes. These are broadly captured as follows:

• EDs are highly supportive of the transformation within IPPF and look forward to the opportunity to constructively participate

• As per recommendations of the Director General, the reform processes should be MA centric and should incorporate the advice of independent experts and we look forward to receiving more information about the strategy for ensuring both these occur

• Specific Governance Reforms address the following:
  • The principles of volunteerism in IPPF to ensure: that Board membership provides the greatest opportunity to enlist champions in SRHR in line with IPPF principles, rather than reliance on ‘volunteers’ as the overarching criterion; that the definition of volunteer is well understood; and, that volunteers at all levels receive appropriate recompense / recognition for their services
  • The principle of youth membership on Boards, understanding that the role of Boards is critically legal and fiduciary and that a standard approach to youth representation on Boards does not take into consideration the essential skills and capabilities of Board members. Internal mechanisms should be established to capacitate youth representative on their legal responsibilities and fiduciary functions before they can assume the post as Board members
  • To consider the Representation of Executive Directors in the Governing Council. Being the chief officer of the MA, as well a key advocate for SRHR in their countries and region, EDs are well placed to inform and contribute towards ensuring the Federation remains relevant and focused on its objectives
  • The IPPF accreditation process be urgently modernized and streamlined and reflect best practice in quality review. There should be a separation in the accreditation process between governance and management requirements, a recognition of the importance of meeting county-level specific issues and laws, and be informed by learnings on the ground to date
  • Simplification of the complex governance structures within IPPF at and across Global, Regional, National and sub-National levels and how this defines the nature of the relationship between IPPF and its members
  • There are advantages to the current governance structure. For example, some MAs Board members are active in supporting programs, both in terms of providing feedback, oversight and support to the MA in maintaining good relationship between MA and important stakeholders in the country. They are also active in national forums and organizations that allow them to provide meaningful input at the national level. It is important to retain these advantages.

• Specific Resourcing Reforms include the following:
  • Modernisation of funding arrangements across the Federation
  • Transparency in funding allocations across regions and countries
  • Transparency in variations to budgets and sub-budget allocations/ formulas/ funding agreements

• Specific Reform Timeframe
  • Whilst we strongly appreciate the imperative for urgent change, timeframes should be realistically structured to ensure critical issues are explored across the Federation and addressed in recommendations

• Specific Reform Communications
  • Receiving meaningful and timely information and communications about the issues and processes will assist in our constructive engagement. Making the processes transparent will facilitate our capacity to meaningfully contribute

• Understanding the issues that led to the recent IPPF change processes would inform development of priority recommendations

5th July 2019

Ann Brassil/Anne Stuart, Australia
Dr Var Chivorn, Cambodia
Liang Xiao, China
Rongo File, Cook Islands
Dr So Hyon Chol, DPRK
Matelita Seva-Cadravula, Fiji
Dr Susan Fan, Hong Kong
Eko Maryadi, Indonesia
Norma Yeeting, Kiribati
Dr Souphon Sayavong, Laos
Syirin Junisya, Malaysia
Batmunkh Munkhtsetseg, Mongolia
Dr May Chan Oo, Myanmar
Jackie Edmond, New Zealand
Michael Salini, Papua New Guinea
Nandy Senoc, Philippines
Liai Siitia, Samoa
Ben Angoa, Solomon Islands
Kyung Ae Cho, South Korea
Dr Nanthakan Sungsuman Woodham, Thailand
Katherine Vaha’akolo, Tonga
Lono Leneuoti, Tuvalu
Julius Ssenabulya, Vanuatu
Le Duc Hoang, Vietnam