The Governing Board met in Prague on 7,8 and 9 September 2024 – ahead of the Global Evidence Summit.
Dr Susan Phillips, the new Chair of the Governing Board met other trustees face to face for the first time and met many more members of the Cochrane Community during the GES. Nigel Jones was welcomed to his first meeting since being appointed in August. Sally Green joined virtually from Melbourne, Australia.
Financial planning
The Governing Board and the Executive Leadership Team discussed financial planning. The latest financial results for 2024 show that we are on track to achieve the agreed budget for the year. Looking further ahead, the five year forecast does raise some questions about how we generate income in the long term and use our resources to deliver on the organizational strategy.
The Finance, Audit and Risk Committee assists the Board in its duty to oversee the Charity’s financial affairs and risk management processes. During the Governing Board elections (more on that below) we will be looking for new members to join some of the Board’s sub committees.
Fundraising and working in partnership
We are developing a fundraising strategy and exploring opportunities to work in partnership with others as we work towards our ambitions to achieve open access and making Cochrane’s evidence accessible and available to all.
Fundraising and working in partnership
Karen Johnson, Head of Funding and Partnerships presented a fundraising strategy and the Board discussed strategies for building relationships with key global health donors and working in partnership with others to leverage grants and other funding opportunities.
Open Access
Colleagues from Wiley joined the Governing Board and gave an update on the roadmap towards open access that was agreed in January 2024. Engagement with open access advocates, funders and national providers (in partnership with Geographic Groups) will help to inform next steps.
Cochrane events
The location and date of the next Cochrane Colloquium was announced at the GES. It will be held in India from 27 to 30 October 2026. Calls for proposed events in 2027 and 2028 will be shared before the end of the year.
The Board agreed to support the development of a forward-looking events strategy that maximizes the rich resources that we have across the wide and diverse Cochrane community.
Scientific strategy
The new scientific strategy sets out how producing relevant evidence for and with those who need it most can help to tackle the most pressing global health issues.
A series of events over the next few months will provide the opportunity for the many different Cochrane groups to engage with and start to implement the scientific strategy.
Establishment of an Advisory Panel
After the Council was dissolved last year, a working group was established to consider new and improved mechanisms for two-way communication, engagement and participation between the central organization and the Community. A proposal from the working group was considered and the useful suggestions will be taken forward as part of a wider membership engagement strategy.
Plans include the establishment of a Community of Practice that will support groups involved in evidence synthesis.
Governing Board elections 2024
Five elected members of the Governing Board come to the end of their terms this year and so elections will be held. The Board approved the election process for 2024. The call for nominations will go out to members on 27 September 2024, the deadline for nominations will be 18 October 2024, voting will open on 1 November 2024 and close on 15 November 2024.
The Governance and Nominations Committee will review nominations and then put forward to the membership those who best match a list of criteria which fill the skills and diversity gaps that have been identified by the Board.
At least one member who is resident in a lower or middle income country (LMIC) will be appointed during the 2024 elections.
Annual General Meeting
The Governing Board approved the arrangements for holding an Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 14 November 2024 from 9am to 11am (UK time) in London and via electronic means. To see what time this is in other locations click here.
Awards and prizes will be made at the end of the formal business.
The Anne Anderson Award
The Bill Silverman Prize
The Chris Silagy Prize
The Kenneth Warren Prize
Emeritus and Lifetime membership awards
Do let us know if you have any questions or want any more information governingboardsecretary@cochrane.org.