Terms of Reference Strategic Planning

This briefing outlines the Terms of Reference (TOR) for developing a strategic plan and priorities for the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI) for the following decade, focusing on governance, science-policy interfaces, and regional cooperation.

• The IAI aims to develop Terms of Reference to guide a strategic plan for the next ten years. This process is intended to engage the science community, policy makers, and development agencies, while establishing funding and communications plans, reviewing governance to ensure consistency with its mandate, and potentially amending the four science areas to address key questions relevant to regional governing bodies and member countries.
• There is a recognized tension between the IAI's definition as a "regional network of research entities" and its formal status as an "intergovernmental treaty organization," which complicates interactions with governments and the ability to inform policy. Consequently, the TOR should define the IAI's relationship with its member countries and network community, and establish mechanisms for the IAI to act as an effective interface between science and policy.
• The IAI seeks to strengthen its strategic alliances and institutional agreements, noting that previous framework agreements with affiliated or associated institutions have often failed to produce cooperative action or benefits. The organization also intends to formalize its relationships with global programs and organizations, potentially using the Millennium Goals as a framework, specifically Millennium Goal 7 regarding environmental sustainability.
• The strategic planning process will address gaps in the current agenda, including the integration of engineering for adaptation and mitigation, and the need for comprehensive capacity building that extends beyond scientists and students to include institutional, administrative, and communication capacities.
• The TORs will address science governance issues within member countries and international cooperations, specifically focusing on quality control of science, science applications for environmental or consumer protection, and the management of intellectual property rights.

APA

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (2007). Terms of Reference Strategic Planning. https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-ec-25-strategic-plan-tor-e.pdf

Chicago

Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research. Terms of Reference Strategic Planning. 2007. https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-ec-25-strategic-plan-tor-e.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research |title=Terms of Reference Strategic Planning |date=22 November 2007 |url=https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-ec-25-strategic-plan-tor-e.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{interamericaninstituteforglobalchangeresearch2007terms, author = {{Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}}, title = {{Terms of Reference Strategic Planning}}, institution = {Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research}, year = {2007}, month = nov, url = {https://archive.iai.int/admin/site/sites/default/files/iai-ec-25-strategic-plan-tor-e.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }