FAO is in the process of organizing an International Conference on Rural Finance Research: Moving Results into Policy and Practice, 19-21 March 2007.

The ultimate aim of this conference is a wider use of research results in the rural finance policy and decision making processes. Steps on the way include a better understanding of the need to guarantee research quality, of how to identify research topics and of the ways to bring research results to those concerned.

During the conference we will:

* review and take stock of research on key rural finance innovations in

order to enumerate what has worked and why, highlighting opportunities and challenges for scaling up well-proven approaches;

* identify important empirical issues in rural finance for future

exploration and study;

* discuss ways to improve research quality as well as the

communication, dissemination, and use of research findings;

* define strategies to strengthen ties between research and policy and

decision-making processes in the field of rural finance; and,

* explore ways to foster dialogue and partnership among researchers at

an international level.

We would greatly appreciate it if you would please promote this conference with your members and other colleagues in the region. The conference web site address is: http://www.fao.org/ag/rurfinconference/index.asp?lang=en.