The participatory retreat hosted by the Bibliotheca Alexandrina represents a key milestone in the development process of GFAR Business plan for 2007-
2009. The number and composition of the participants reflected a balanced representation of GFAR stakeholders. Guided by the recommendations of the GFAR Second External Review completed in January 2007 and its 2006 Triennial conference, the participants enthusiastically reviewed GFAR progress, aligned the strategic directions of the current strategy with the global context and collectively agreed on the priority thematic projects for the new business Plan and the actions required for a re-vitalized GFAR.