International Rural Network Conference and Exchange of Experience, Inverness, Scottish Highlands, UK, 23-27 June 2003 Pre-Announcement and Call for Proposals : Organised by The Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research at the University of Aber

International Rural Network Conference and Exchange of Experience, Inverness, Scottish Highlands, UK, 23-27 June 2003


Pre-Announcement and Call for Proposals : Organised by The Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research at the University of Aberdeen and the UHI Millennium Institute, this event builds on previous conferences in Queensland, Australia, and Vancouver Island, Canada. It is, however, the first International Conference of the International Rural Network of rural scholars, practitioners and policy makers established in 2000.

The International Organising Committee is particularly interested in papers, posters, displays, audio-visual or multi-media presentations etc which give accounts and analyses of local community initiatives. Proposals should highlight the ways in which such initiatives have increased the Community’s power over education, health, welfare, environment, quality of life, governance, and economic development and led to positive outcomes for people living in them. In addition to ‘home grown’ initiatives, the Committee is also interested in accounts and analyses of rural initiatives, policies, programmes and projects which lead to empowerment of disadvantaged rural communities and groups. These could include rural development, education and health programmes which have encouraged local initiatives and participation, and which have led to improved health, education and development outcomes as judged by local people. Delivery of papers to be presented by practitioners / policymakers / academics in conjunction with the relevant community will be encouraged.

The Committee is anxious to encourage participation from as wide a range of countries and experiences as possible. To this end they are seeking funding for scholarships for participants from the CEEC and CIS countries of E Europe and the Developing Countries, as well as the indigenous peoples of Australia, New Zealand, N America and Scandinavia. In addition, although the working language of the conference will be English, they are prepared to consider the question of interpretation at least into Spanish and French if there is sufficient demand to justify the costs involved. They are anxious to encourage attendance of local community representatives of relevant initiatives, as well as rural development, health and education practitioners, policy makers and scholars. In many cases, scholars or practitioners could usefully be paired with local community initiatives or processes which they have studied.

Please send an expression of interest as soon as possible to rhys.evans@abdn.ac.uk in order to ensure that we send you further information about the conference and study tour arrangements, arrangements for posters and displays, etc.