In the context of inter-governmental and inter-agency debates on agriculture and food security, the need to scale up - i.e. to replicate, adapt, and expand - what already works is unanimously recognised. However, due to specificities of the agriculture and rural development sector, it is a challenge to reach a common understanding of scaling up concepts and issues and how to go about it in systematic and proactive manner. Therefore, as part of entry points to IFAD’s preparation and implementation of its 2013-15 Medium Term Plan, a number of knowledge products are being produced, guidance tools are being tested, while learning and sharing events have been organised with a focus on scaling up in selected thematic areas. This is part of broader efforts to promote a scaling up community of practice and learning alliance at corporate, country and international levels.

Against this background, the next major event will be hosted by IFAD on 14-15 June 2012 at IFAD headquarters in Rome. This is an interdepartmental initiative in consultation with like-minded partners, and with the representatives of IFAD membership who may wish to join informally. This event will consist of a one-day learning and sharing, followed the next day by specialised business conversations to chart out partnership opportunities and follow up actions in selected thematic areas.

The first day (14 June 2012) will consist of:

• A morning segment dedicated to presentations and feedback on new knowledge products and guidance tools to create learning spaces for scaling up

• An afternoon segment dedicated to presentations and feedback of concrete examples of entry points to public-private-people partnerships for scaling up

The second day (15 June 2012) will consist of informal business conversations on opportunities for interdepartmental and inter agency collaboration in selected thematic areas including:

• M&E and results management frameworks (M&E related grants: global, regional and country; M&E corporate agenda: issues and options; etc.)

• Staff training (design; supervision; M&E; institutions)

• Partnerships with private sector

• Next steps in finalising and disseminating knowledge products and guidance tools