ASSOCIATION POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT DE LA RIZICULTURE EN AFRIQUE DE L'OUEST
01 8. P. 2651
Bouaké, Côte d'Ivoire
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Tél.: (225) |
63.45.14 |
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63.23.96 |
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63.32.42 |
Télex: 69138 ADRAO CI
Fax: (225) 63.47.14
E-MAIL: DIALCOM 157 CGI 125
Cable: ADRAO Bouaké CI
March 2nd, 1993
Dr. Alex McCalla,
Chair
Technical Advisory Committee
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
219 E Street, Suite 2C
Davis, CA 95616-4577, U.S.A.
Mr. Alexander von der Osten
Executive Secretary
Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
The World Bank
1818 H. Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20433, U.S.A.
Dear Dr. McCalla and Mr. von der Osten,
On behalf of the Board of Trustees, management and staff of the West Africa Rice Development Association (WARDA), it is with great pleasure that I express appreciation and satisfaction with the conclusions contained in the Report of WARDA's Third External Programme and Management Review. I wish to commend the Chairman and members of the Panel, for their positive and very constructive evaluation.
WARDA's Board notes with pleasure and a deep sense of pride, that the comprehensive reorganization and restructuring exercise initiated by the CGIAR and the Board have been successfully completed. Indeed, the Board is in full agreement with the Panel's submission, that "WARDA has been completely transformed during the past five years into a depoliticized, well managed international center".
The Board of Trustees agrees completely with the panel's conclusions that full credit for the impressive changes that have occurred must go to WARDA Member States, the Board, management and staff, and the loyal support of a small number of regular donors.
The Board welcomes the endorsement of the panel that the Centre's goal and operational mandate, and its programme structure and approach to partnership with national programs are moving the evolution of the center in the right direction. The Board is particularly pleased that the Centre's goal addresses a broader scope of activities which includes rice-based cropping systems in West Africa.
Finally, the Board is encouraged by the panel's conclusions relating to the "Open Centre" concept, and the panel's endorsement of the objective of using this approach to facilitate the association of a broad range of institutions with WARDA's work.
The Board and management have reviewed the details of the panel's summary and recommendations, and will now respond to each in turn.
Yours Sincerely,
Henri Carsalade
Chairman of Board of Trustees
