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| ACHIM STEINER – THE INVISIBLE POWER OF DOING |
How do you get recognition? How does recognition manifest itself? As Director General of the World Conservation Union, one of the most frequent remarks I am asked to respond to is: Why is IUCN – and its work – not better known? Five years into my tenure at IUCN I still struggle to find an adequate response – and by implication the Union is still struggling to find an adequate answer to what is both a compliment and a criticism.
Every year when the draft Progress and Assessment Report lands on my desk I am surprised by both the scope, range and diversity of accomplishments selected from a vast number of activities by a global family of individuals, institutions, networks, pioneers and wise elders – all of whom share both a deep commitment to conservation and a belief in the value of the Union as a means of working together!
We are often asked when we espouse the virtues of IUCN – What results has IUCN achieved? Can you prove that you have made a difference? Does the Union offer value for money? To many in our community these seem parochial questions – answers are deemed to be self-evident given our mission, professionalism, hard work and dedication to help improve conditions in the world.
Beyond invoking the ‘invisible power of doing’, many not-for-profit organizations are challenged by calls for greater accountability for the resources we use, the actions we take, the impacts – intended and unintended – we cause.
During 2005 we have renewed our management efforts in IUCN to respond to this challenge. We are developing a new performance assessment and reporting system for IUCN; an improved programme monitoring system; a new branding and positioning strategy; a new management information system; a series of survey and feedback mechanisms for members, partners and donors. These and many other improvements in the structure and processes of the Union are enhancing the transparency and accountability of the Union as well as improving its efficiency and effectiveness.
Yet, at the end of the day, can all this effort tell the story of the IUCN family over a period of 12 months where commitment, ingenuity, scientific rigour, compassion, solidarity, courage, innovation, despair, frustration, anger produce a mix of energy and momentum which no monetary or key performance indicator can capture in its entirety. I hope you will discover some of this mix as you read through our report back on 2005. Far from suggesting that all the Union seeks to achieve is a success, it does illustrate the vital contribution of our Union to the global search and aspiration for a more sustainable future for people and nature on our planet.
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