The Global Learning Opportunity (GLO) of the International Farming Systems Association (IFSA) will be held in Rome, Italy, from 31 October-4 November 2005. The symposium will bring together development practitioners, educators, researchers, representatives of farmer and producers organizations, civil society organizations, private business and development agencies. The purpose is to discuss, analyze and propose more effective government policies, development strategies and field practices, in order to capture promising opportunities to attain the Millennium Development Goals, particularly those related to rural poverty, food security, gender equity and environmental sustainability. Some major thrusts of the symposium could be partnership strengthening and mobilizing resources for SARD, including local, national and international investments. The specific theme "Food, Agriculture and Rural Development Policies in a Globalizing World" will analyse policy innovations in the context of globalization, structural adjustment decentralization and privatization processes.