News 12 of 30

Ottawa, Canada, April 11, 2008 – Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is pleased to release the findings of the Auditor General’s Special Examination. Results indicate that IDRC has solid systems and practices, and exercises good stewardship of taxpayers’ money. IDRC works in close collaboration with researchers from the developing world in their search for the means to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.

According to the report, IDRC has a sound corporate planning process that provides clear direction for its programs and the activities supporting them. Moreover, IDRC’s reputation as a learning organization continues to attract and retain highly qualified staff who have developed effective processes for sharing knowledge and for capturing and disseminating research results.

In accordance with provisions of the Financial Administration Act, IDRC is required to have a special examination of its systems and practices every five years. The Auditor General’s Special Examination looked at the systems and practices considered essential to providing IDRC with reasonable assurance that its assets are safeguarded and controlled, its resources are managed economically and efficiently, and its operations are carried out effectively. The Special Examination covers the period from January to September 2007 and the findings were presented to the Board of Governors on March 27, 2008.

Key findings include: 

• IDRC has sound systems and practices to manage the funding of research projects, its core function.  In addition, partnerships with recipients and donors are designed to achieve expected results, manage risk, and ensure due diligence;
  
• IDRC’s management of human resources demonstrates that it values its people as its strongest asset; 
  
• IDRC has a good structure and processes in place to measure its performance.

The report contains recommendations in the areas of risk management, external reporting of its performance, and corporate governance.

Key recommendations include:

• IDRC could improve its performance reporting through its annual report. Overall, IDRC should enhance its external reporting on how it is meeting its objectives, administering its resources, and managing its risk. IDRC will continue to communicate its results and performance through its annual report, as well as through its website, regular meetings with members of Parliament, events throughout Canada, and through a variety of publications; 
  
• IDRC must complete work on its integrated risk management framework. IDRC has recently approved a Risk Management Policy and will continue to develop and strengthen its risk management framework; 
  
• The Special Examination cited the need for more timely approvals of members of the Board of Governors. IDRC will continue to work with appropriate officials toward the timely appointment of governors.

IDRC’s responses to each recommendation are included in the report. The report of the Auditor General’s Special Examination is posted on IDRC’s website.

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About IDRC
Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) is one of the world’s leading institutions in the generation and application of new knowledge to meet the challenges of international development. For more than 37 years, IDRC has worked in close collaboration with researchers from the developing world to build healthier, more equitable, and more prosperous societies.

For information:
Isabelle Bourgeault-Tassé
(+1 613) 236-6163, ext. 2343
(+1 613) 816-7620
ibourgeault-tasse@idrc.ca

2008-04-11

News 12 of 30