IPPFAR Position on the IPPF Governance and Resource Allocation Reform

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1. Introduction
   In accordance with its Statutes, the IPPF Africa Region (IPPFAR) held its 49th Session of the Regional Council and other statutory meetings from 22nd to 27th July 2019 in Nairobi, Kenya. During these meetings, members of the IPPF Independent Committees on Governance Reform and Resource Allocation conducted sessions on reforms with delegates from the Regional Council, Youth Forum members and Executive Directors of 37 MAs and collaborative partners.
   Following dialogue and discussions during the Regional Council with Commissioners who were present and the Director General, the delegates made observations, comments and resolutions on issues relating to the on-going IPPF reforms.
2. General Comments
   • IPPF Africa Region recognizes the need for IPPF governance and resource allocation reforms as essential to improve the Federation’s effectiveness, transparency and accountability considering that the external context is changing drastically
   • IPPFAR acknowledges the governance and resource allocation reforms aimed at transforming IPPF for the better and at strengthening the capacity of member associations to fulfil their mandate more effectively
   • IPPFAR welcomes the work that Governance and Resource Allocation Commissions have undertaken, in particular the open stakeholder dialogue, online survey and consultations during statutory meetings such as those held in Nairobi – Kenya
   • IPPFAR considers that undertaking a study of the structures, models and governance and resource allocation systems of other organizations similar to IPPF could be an excellent way to gather ideas that need to be adapted by IPPF to the current environment, which is dynamic and more competitive
   • IPPFAR embraces the reform process and commits to engage in the consultative process and emphasizes the fact that the final decision is subject that the final report is clearly demonstrating that all different views/options were considered, including participants that will come for the General Assembly (GA) meeting.
3. Observations
   • Communication about the process was not very clear at first. Decisions appeared to be made centrally and then only passed down to regions and MAs
   • Questions persist about prioritizing the two areas of reform: governance and resource allocation. This could be an opportunity for more comprehensive IPPF reforms
   • The Reform commissions should take into account the existing governance structures and how they have contributed to the success of the Federation and its MAs over the past six decades
4. Recommendations
   • IPPFAR urges the two Governance and Resource Allocation Reform Commissions to ensure that the process is more inclusive, participatory and consultative, so that stakeholders take ownership of the process.
   • The Regional Executive Committees (RECs) need to participate or be represented during the GA meeting in addition to Member Associations (MAs) and Governing Council (GC) delegates.
   • IPPF Central Office ought to share adequate information on the reform with the MAs (volunteers and staff) and Regions in order to bring them on board and enhance their participation
   • Transparency, accountability and openness are fundamental elements of the reform process. Therefore, these principles need to be adhered to throughout the consultation processes.
   • Timely communication with all stakeholders at all levels of the Federation must be undertaken. Communication channels must be sensitive to the specific needs of all regions. For example, internet connectivity in many parts of Africa remains a challenge that hampers effective and timely communication internally and externally.
   • Given this status, it is incumbent on the GA to ensure rich, informed and open debate before making any decisions.
   • It is important that the reform commissions avails the various proposals that will be presented to the GA to the MAs, to collect questions for clarification from the MAs prior to the actual GA meeting
   • The reform should not remove the uniqueness and the foundation of IPPF, which is a volunteer-based organization at all levels: national, regional and global
   • The Reform should expand the REC role in providing oversight on regional Management and the need for MAs to be part of the decision making process.
   • IPPF AR recommends resource allocation models that take into account each region’s context and should be based on equity rather than equality
   • The proposed reforms will need to take into account that some regions such as the Africa region that has a larger population in need of IPPF’s interventions. It is a fact that Africa Region contributes the highest statistical services in the Federation.
   • The reform should address all aspects of the organization, especially governance, management and resource allocation, thus a comprehensive approach is necessary and IPPF, as an organization, should prioritize and find the necessary time to conduct a comprehensive exercise on these three components.
   • The reforms should provide an established sustainable mechanism for ownership by all stakeholders in regions and Mas, and the final decision should apply to all 6 regions without any exceptions.
   • The reforms need to preserve the foundation on which IPPF was founded, ensuring the urgency to strengthen the volunteer base at grassroot levels
   • Ensure the decentralization of decision-making processes, with emphasis on programming, financial accountability and resource allocation at regional level (bottom-up approach)
5. Resolution IPPFAR: IPPF Governance and Resource Allocation Reforms
   The IPPF Africa Region Council passed the following Resolution in relation to IPPF Governance and Resource Allocation Reforms:
   Resolution 4: IPPF Governance and Resource Allocation Reforms
   Appreciating the dialogue and the need for IPPF transformation;
   Recognizing the need for governance and resource allocation reforms for the IPPF transformation to better fulfil its potential and better serve its beneficiaries;
   Appreciating the efforts being made by the Commissions to engage stakeholders through different channels, including the survey;
   Recognising organisational reform as key to enhance effectiveness, transparency and accountability;
   
   The IPPF Africa Regional Council;
   
   • Urges the Governance and Resource Allocation Reform Commissions to ensure that the process is more inclusive, participatory and consultative and that all stakeholders take ownership of the process.
   • Gives mandate to Regional EXCO to form a committee to discuss reforms and ensure strong engagement of the region in the reforms process, prepare, and share with IPPF and the Commissions the Region’s position.
   • That, recommendations and inputs of the EXCO are taken into consideration as an official view of the Region.