On 22-23 February, IFAD will be holding its annual event. This year our event will have a strong social-media presence, and the virtual audience will be able to follow the proceedings and interact with the prominent guests and panellists via webcasting and IFAD’s social media channels. Before, during and after the event, social reporters will keep the outside world informed through blogs, tweets, and interviews and pictures posted on IFAD’s social media pages.

#ifadgc will have a number of world leaders, prominent policy makers, movers and shakers of the calibre of:

• H.E. Paul Kagame
• H.E. Mario Monti
• Bill Gates

We kindly ask you to spread the word, send your questions and comments for the panelists.

22 February

At 9.45 a.m. (CET) Nik Gowing, international broadcaster, will host a high-level panel to discuss and debate what it will take to ensure food security while protecting the environment. Panellists will share their views on different farming methods. They will highlight the importance of building institutions, investing in research and technology, and adopting and adapting new practices.

As the international community takes stock of progress in the climate negotiations and prepares for Rio+20 in June 2012, at 3.15p.m. Dr Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, the Chief Executive Officer of Food, Agriculture and Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network,  will engage in a conversation with Naga Munchetty, international broadcaster, on “What promise will Rio herald for agriculture?”

23 February

At 10.00 a.m. (CET) Bill Gates will take center stage to share his perspective on how sustainable agriculture productivity improvements can reduce hunger and poverty. He will also challenge both global players and national governments to adopt a new approach to supporting small farmers.   

At 11 a.m. Naga Munchetty will host a high-level panel composed of policymakers. The panel will discusshow to create a sustainable future for smallholder farmers.

Please join us in sharing the message – here are some easy ways for you to help:

1.       Connect with us on Twitter: follow @ifadnews and @knwanze

2.       Connect with us on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/IFAD

3.       Follow IFAD Social Reporting Blog: The Governing Council section is a resource for conversation and updates on events preceding and during the Governing Council. Feel free to cross-post and to contribute.

4.       Send us your questions and comments for the various panelist.  We will be sharing these live during the various sessions

5.       Promote the live stream:  We will be live streaming the event, which includes all keynote speeches, high-level panels, centre stages and regional events at http://webcasting.ifad.org/gc2012.

6.       Use hashtag #ifadgc

7.       Tweet about #ifadgc and spread the word amongst your followers

8.       Retweet #ifadgc tweets

TWITTER:

• 22-23 February join #ifadgc virtually. Sustainable smallholder #agriculture: Feeding the world, protecting the planet. http://ow.ly/91ZYf
• Check out #ifadgc programme bit.ly/zLtPPu and send your questions for @BillGates + other panelists
• Join #ifadgc conversation. Send your questions for @billgates + other prominent movers+shakershttp://bit.ly/z2RIL7
• World leaders, policymakers, academics+farmer reps will reflect on how we can feed world & protect planet. Join #ifadgc http://ow.ly/920vh
• #ifadgc 22 - 23 Feb 2012: A conversation among world leaders and policy makers: don't miss it! . bit.ly/ykERFV
• Empowering 100s of millions of smallholders & landless farmers - many of them women - is crucial. How? Follow#ifadgc ow.ly/92TFO
• 22-23 February #IFAD holds its annual mtg bringing together 167 members+many prominent leaders, movers+shakers #ifadgc http://ow.ly/92019
• 22 February follow webcast, high level panel at #ifadgc: “Feed the world, protect the planet”. Send your Qs to panelists: http://ow.ly/92053
• "What promise will Rio herald for agriculture?” A conversation with Dr Lindiwe Majele Sibanda, 22/2 #ifadgc #RioPlus20 http://ow.ly/920ds
• 23 February - join the conversation with @BillGates . Send us ur Qs + comments. Webcast. #ifadgc #globaldev #agriculture http://ow.ly/920fT
• 23/2 – High level panel #ifadgc. “From words to actions: Creating a sustainable future for smallholder farmers”. Webcast: http://ow.ly/920lG
• This year #ifadgc is an interactive event. Watch plenary sessions live, join discussion & send us Qs to panelists http://ow.ly/920p0
• In Malawi + Zimbabwe, planting acacia trees in maize fields has tripled yields & improved resilience of soil. #ifadgc http://ow.ly/920vh
• Did you know that #Brazil has implemented minimum-till #agriculture on 60% of the country’s cultivatable land? #ifadgc http://ow.ly/920vh
• Did you know that 70% of fisheries are in danger, threatened by overfishing and environmental degradation? #ifadgc http://ow.ly/920vh
• New+sustainable approaches to #agriculture offer improved livelihood opportunities 4 smallholders. Follow #ifadgc 22-23/2 http://ow.ly/920vh

FACEBOOK:

23 February - join the conversation with Bill Gates at @ifad Governing Council. Send us your questions and comments tohttp://www.facebook.com/IFAD. More information available at  http://www.ifad.org/events/gc/35/panel.htm#gates 

Help shape the future for sustainable agriculture and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Join @ifad Governing on 22-23 February. Follow the event via webcast http://webcasting.ifad.org/gc2012. Send us your  questions and comments for the various panellists. We’ll be asking them for you.

If you have any questions, pls let me know and we look forward to seeing your posts and tweets. Ciao Roxy