This project is governed by an Advisory Board, selected by the civil society community around the CBD following each Conference of Parties (COP). We will be actively recruiting for new advisory board members following COP 9. The roles and responsibilities of advisory board members are below.
Advisory Board Responsibilities
In general, the advisory board is responsible for overseeing host organization’s general work around the CBD. They are not ‘representative’ of their region – (although the board is composed regionally) but rather lend their experience and ideas – they advise. More specifically, they are responsible for:
• Actively participating in decisions relating to general project direction, including proposal development and governance;
• Sharing expertise and ideas to consider and implement on behalf of civil society community;
• Providing feedback on projects as they develop; and
• Participating in sub-committees where relevant and possible.
Time Commitment:
Recognizing that this is a voluntary position, and the time constraints of all involved, host organization and facilitator will endeavor to make communications as streamlined as possible. I propose that they be limited to 1 major discussion per month, with a 10 day turn around (meaning you have 10 days to reply after the message has been sent out). Issues requiring more detailed and often discussion will be sent to sub-committees.
Note: If an AB member does not respond to emails for several months, we must consider that they do not want to be involved any longer, or are unable to be involved any longer.
AB qualifications
• Civil Society affiliation (not necessarily paid staff, but a representative of some sort)
• Familiarly with CBD process or intends to be actively involved on a policy level
Advisory Board Configuration
Will remain as outlined below, with regional and demographic considerations (11 board members). However, exceptions should be made to add important issue-oriented people – depending on major subjects to be discussed at COP 9
Regional (one from each): Latin America, Middle East/Central Asia, North America, Europe, Russia/CIS, Asia, Oceania, and Africa
Sectoral: Youth, Indigenous, and Women
Advisory board member selection
• Should be open up to list server for nominations – based on areas needing to be filled
• If there is more than one nomination per region/area then move to regional self selection, based on who is most familiar with upcoming issues of import for COP 8, experience, while paying attention to gender and other important considerations (i.e. filling thematic holes).
• Based on the regional decision, the current advisory board approves and/or helps make the decision.
Meetings of advisory board
• In conjunction with CBD related meetings (i.e. SBSTTAs and COPs)
• Funding to AB members to attend meetings not only for attending AB meetings but to be actively involved in issues under discussion at meeting