inclusion: Accommodating spouses/partners :
Tips and Tools

Tips and Tools

IRRI Family Services Center

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The IRRI Family Services Center

1 The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) is headquartered in the small town of Los Banos, Philippines, approximately two hours’ drive from Manila. To overcome some of the problems associated with this isolation, IRRI created its Family Services Center to provide an extensive range of support services to spouses/partners.

2 Some of the services were created specifically for spouses/partners, while others were created initially for IRRI staff, and were subsequently opened up to spouses/partners. The range includes seminars and training in:

• language – courses in Tagalog, provided by a member of IRRI’s Training Center, with support from two HR staff;
• driving – recognizing the challenges faced by expatriate staff when driving in the Philippines, courses provided by a consultant engaged by IRRI’s Transport Services;
• photography – short courses on digital photography provided by staff members;
• computer/information technology – provided for IRRI staff by its IT group, the training has been opened up to spouse/partners as well as staff (all IRRI houses have free internet connections, and staff can rent a fully-loaded personal computer from the IRRI IT Services for a reasonable monthly charge);
• first aid – a one-week program conducted regularly by IRRI’s Safety Office;
• health seminars – about six per year, conducted for IRRI staff and spouses/partners by local doctors;
• personal security – conducted by an international security firm;
• cross-cultural communication – conducted for expatriate staff and spouses/partners by a specialist in this field;
• gardening – sessions on gardening in the tropics;
• videos – self-help videos on topics such as time management, presentation skills, Spanish language, etc. are made available through the IRRI library.
  

The Family Services Center also has other initiatives under development such as personal finance and investing, retirement planning, etc.

© CGIAR Gender & Diversity Program 2006