The Panel wishes to acknowledge the excellent support received from the TAC, especially the Standing Committee on External Reviews (SCOER), notably the contributions from Drs. Lucia de Vaccaro and Elias Fereres. The Panel is grateful to the TAC Secretariat for the organization and implementation of the Review. They deserve our special thanks for ensuring that the Panel received the relevant information and documentation, as well as sound advice.
The Panel expresses its sincere thanks to all the stakeholders for their frank opinions, as well as their time in responding to the questionnaires. The interaction with stakeholders through the Web Page was valuable. The Panel received useful comments on the penultimate draft from individuals. Centres, and TAC, which helped to re-shape the final report.
The Panel received valuable advice from Centres, Management and Co-ordinators of the various Ecoregional Programmes, NARS leaders, Scientists, a number of Members, Donors, and several other individuals who provided invaluable support during the site visits and by electronic exchange. It would like to give a special thanks to the Chairs of the Centre Directors Committee, Centre Board Chairs Committee, and the International Agricultural Centre, Wageningen, especially J. Frans Neuman and M.J.C. van Schaik.
The Panel is pleased to acknowledge the assistance received from the Director-General and staff of ISNAR for hosting the main phase of the Review. They ensured that we were provided with a good working environment. The Panel expresses its thanks to Ms. Melina Tensen for the outstanding secretarial support during the final meeting in The Hague.
The Panel benefited from the result of a desk study conducted by the TAC Secretariat with the support of Dr. E. Kuerschner, as a Consultant and from the editing performed by Ms. Diana Dixon on this report. It also acknowledges the assistance provided by the staff of the TAC and IAEG Secretariats, and Dr. Shellemiah Keya, as the Panel Secretary. Ms. Ann Drummond, Ms. Rosanna Corazzi and Ms. Jane Garrioch of the TAC Secretariat rendered excellent help in the preparation of the Report, and ensured that we met the deadline comfortably. They provided general support to the Panel throughout the Review. Ms. Irmi Braun-Castaldi from the TAC Secretariat assisted with travel arrangements and budget matters. The Panel is pleased to acknowledge their help.
