Editorial by Valérie Verdier, Chairman and CEO
11 May is now our new horizon in the face of the crisis we are facing.
Another month. But it's already been a month in which we have all rallied together to tackle the crisis, and I think we've succeeded: our researchers, engineers and technicians have worked quickly and exceptionally hard to respond to the COVID-19 epidemic (I encourage you to consult the COVID-19 page). https://www.ird.fr/covid19 which shows the extent to which we are mobilising our expertise in the South and our partnerships to combat the pandemic). Several projects led by IRD teams were selected as part of the ANR Covid-19 Flash call. We have provided support to teams in France, abroad and overseas, we have put in place various business continuity plans wherever possible, more than 80 % staff are teleworking, we have deployed new working tools... All this has been possible thanks to the very strong commitment of each and every one of you. I'd like to thank you all very much, especially as the way we work has been radically changed. Every day we have to be inventive and reactive to ensure that we can continue to work together in new ways, and to create new links between our professional and personal lives.
In this particular context of confinement, I urge you to always be very attentive to your loved ones, but also to yourself, your health and your well-being.
Feel free to take as much time off as you need. We need to save our strength to face this new month of confinement and also actively prepare for the end of the crisis. To do this, we need to take time out to be effective.
I'm optimistic because the IRD is well equipped. Our Institute has crucial advantages for tackling this crisis and its consequences. Our networks in mainland France, overseas France and abroad, our multidisciplinary approach, our systems and our partnerships form a solid foundation, anchored in time, so that together we can produce science that responds to global challenges in an equitable and sustainable way, in line with the needs of our societies. This is the message I wanted to convey to our partners, to whom I sent a letter this week expressing our solidarity and friendship.
The very particular context of the past few weeks and the way in which we have approached and experienced them give me cause for confidence and optimism. However, it is important to have a very clear vision of the impact of this crisis on the way our Institute operates and on the projects we are carrying out as a whole, and to anticipate solutions so as not to suffer in the months ahead. This is an essential task on which the crisis unit, the various departments and services are currently working around me, and on which I shall be reporting to you shortly.
I would like to highlight three points that are particularly close to my heart:
First of all, the link that we need to maintain in this period of isolation, with our most remote teams, abroad and overseas, but also on a daily basis with our colleges and our partners. I've said it before, and I'll say it again, this link is essential if we are to maintain our activity and everyone's well-being.
That's why I'd like to pay tribute to the work of a team made up of the DCPI, the MAC and the DRH. This team has just set up a discussion channel for all our staff, entitled #Restons-chez-nous on the new chat tool recently provided by the DDUNI. You'll find a range of topics that will enable us to create or recreate the links that, over and above our work collectives, also make up our professional lives.
Another subject that is particularly close to my heart, and which I think is shared by everyone, is gender equality in the workplace. For me, this is an important area of work and a sine qua non if we are to succeed together. I therefore urge you to take part in the wide-ranging consultation we have launched to gather everyone's perceptions and expectations on the issues of gender equality.
Finally, as I attach great importance to social dialogue and the life of our bodies, I would like to reiterate my invitation to you to take part in the renewal of our CSS and CGRA. Nominations for these elections are individual and open until 27 April.
Once again, a very big thank you, because it is your work and your commitment on a daily basis that enable us to continue our missions today, at a time when this is undoubtedly more necessary than ever.
Take care of yourself and your loved ones.