The Second European Forum on Sustainable Rural Development has taken place in Berlin in June 2007.

Following the successful first Rural Forum held in Montpellier in 2002, this event has brought together participants, including policy makers and practitioners from the European Commission and EU Member States’ governments and development agencies, parliamentarians from EU and African countries, as well as expert speakers from developing countries governments, civil society organisations, research institutes and international organisations.

As recognition of its permanent involvement in the Rural Development since 1990, ADE was invited to this discussion and had been honored with a Special Session (June 20th, 2007). The team of permanent staff of ADE has been conducted by Jean-Marie Wathelet, Director.
The theme chosen by Mr. Wathelet for this session was “10 years of EC support to Rural development. Lessons learnt and future perspectives – EC Evaluation” The executive summary may be found at the following address: http://www.ruralforum.info/en/documentation/special_session

The overall theme of the forum was “Sustainable Growth and Poverty Reduction in Rural Africa: How can Europe be a more effective partner?”
The issue will be high on the international policy agenda next year with the release in September 2007 of the World Development Report 2008 on Agriculture and Development and the continuing G8 discussions on mobilising resources for African development.