International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

In 1975, during International Women’s Year, the United Nations chose 8 March as International Women’s Day. Thirty-five years later, the theme for 2010 is “Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all.” In addition to the global theme, each country or group celebrating the day can choose its own topic to make the day locally relevant.
For the three Rome-based United Nations agencies – IFAD, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) – International Women’s Day will be celebrated this year with an event honouring the resilience of women in Haiti.
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Thirty-third session of IFAD's Governing Council: What is the biggest leadership challenge of the 21st century?

On 17 February 2010, during the thirty-third session of IFAD’s Governing Council, CNN anchor Jim Clancy put tough questions to renowned development leaders, including Sir Gordon Conway, Professor of International Development; Dr Nahed Mohammed Taher, CEO of Gulf One Investment Bank and one of Forbes magazine’s 100 most powerful women; Mr Ajay Vashee, President of the International Federation of Agricultural Producers (IFAP); Ms Haydee Castillo Flores, Coordinator of the Womens' Forum for Central American Integration; and Kevin Cleaver, Associate Vice-President, Programmes at IFAD, as they pave the way to transform summit declarations into reality in the fields of half a billion small farms around the globe.
Watch the panel discussion
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Boosting knowledge and financial security in Peru

Increasing the knowledge and assets of poor families is an effective way to fight poverty. An innovative IFAD-supported project in the southern highlands of Peru provides grants directly to small producers and to farmers’ organizations so they can develop new income opportunities. Project activities are helping participants better manage natural resources and gain access to Internet services, financial services and insurance.
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