The IFAD/NGO Consultation Steering Committee

A Consultation Steering Committee (former IFAD/NGO Advisory Group) facilitates preparation of the IFAD/NGO Consultation. Adequate geographical distribution and the presence of umbrella NGO networks, people's organizations and farmers' associations are taken into account. The Committee meets between Consultations and is responsible for presenting IFAD management with recommendations on a theme for the Consultation, as well as on the selection of the NGOs to be invited.

Terms of Reference for the Consultation Steering Committee

• recommend to IFAD management the theme of the Consultation;
• review IFAD's proposed list of NGOs participating in the Consultation on the basis of the criteria stipulated in the terms of reference of the Consultation;
• refine the agenda for the Consultation;
• assess the effectiveness of the process, immediately after each Consultation, with a view to proposing improvements;
• review progress made on the recommendations of the Consultation both by IFAD and NGOs;
• during the pre-consultation orientation meeting, brief new NGO participants on IFAD, the consultation process and the expected outcome, election procedures for membership in the Steering Committee and the terms of reference of the Committee;
• explore possible financing modalities for NGO participation, including ways of encouraging donor NGOs to assist in the funding of participants in the Consultation, particularly those from the South;
• carry out any other assignment or mandate given by the Consultation; and
• discuss IFAD policies, procedures and operations of relevance to IFAD/NGO collaboration until a more-appropriate policy forum is created.

Membership includes seven NGO representatives and three IFAD staff. NGO participants at the Consultation elect new NGO members to the Steering Committee. The tenure of members is up to a maximum of three years.

Individual Qualifications of NGO Steering Committee Members

• language skills (fluency in English, French or Spanish);
• readiness and ability to network and communicate with other NGOs in their region;
• readiness to review and comment on Consultation documents;
• commitment to strengthening IFAD/NGO collaboration; and
• willingness to participate on a voluntary basis for a minimum of two weeks during an 18-month period, including travel.

Members of the IFAD/NGO Consultation Steering Committee