China-UK Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Network(SAIN)

SAIN’s Governing Board (GB) will be responsible for guidance on the strategic direction of SAIN’s work, for agreeing SAIN’s priorities and an annual work plan, and for steering and acting as a champion of SAIN in wioder national and international circles. It will have ultimate responsibility for ensuring that SoAIN delivers against its agreed programme.It will be co-chaired by a UK and Chinese stakeholder, and receive day-to-day support from both Secretariat Offices. The GB will meet at least once per year possibly at the time of the China-UK Sustainable Development Dialogue (SDD) Ministerial meeting. The GB will also meet by tele- or video-conference as necessary, or in person if Members are gathered together for other reasons. It is envisaged that the minimum time commitment of GB members will be three days per year to participate in the annual GB meeting, with an additional commitment of a further three to four days per year to consider and comment on papers and help develop policy proposals.

The SAIN Business Plan specifies the following key tasks for the GB:
Direction setting
    -Agreeing SAIN’s priorities, in the light of declared national and MoA, DEFRA,     & DIFID ministry strategies and policy objectives and GB members’ own     perceptions as to the main current and emerging issues and opportunities for     sustainable agricultural innovation and policy reform.
Strategic oversight
    -Agreeing SAIN’s annual work plan and project proposals prepared by the     Secretariat Offices and Working Groups, ensuring the above policy objectives     and issues are sufficiently addressed.
    -Overseeing the activities of the Secretariat Offices and Working Groups     through day-to-day feedback and six-monthly and annual reports.
    -Ensuring that SAIN’s research activities are properly related to bilateral     and international activities on environmentally sustainable agriculture,     including scientific research, policy and investment priorities.
Communication and influencing
    -Communicating SAIN WG findings to decision making bodies, line ministries,     research organisations, and funding agencies through various channels such as     SDD ministerial meetings, and policy recommendations targeting specific groups.

The Governing Board will be composed of representatives of primary stakeholders (funding bodies, the founding ministries and their international departments and other major clients) and independent advisors (internationally renowned scientists and policy analysts that may come from research and educational institutions, international organisations, and the private sector) but with total membership not to exceed 16.[The list of members is attached at Annex A.]

GB members will not be paid for their time. The primary stakeholders will be expected to pay for the expenses of their staff, but the expenses of other members (primarily travel) will be paid from central funds.

The GB will, with the assistance of the Secretariats, contribute to and approve an annual work plan for SAIN, produce an annual synthesis report, and develop policy and research recommendations targeted to relevant ministries, research organisations and the State Council.