The Future of Rural

Posted Wed, 2009-08-19 11:15 by Bernard Joyce
Photo gallery: 
Mayo Fieldtrip 2009

The debate on the future of Rural goes on.

A few short years ago the debate often centred about how rural areas were lagging behind urban areas. How the Rising Tide was not lifting all boats! Now that the term "rising tide' has been replaced with the term 'sinking ship'. Where does that leave rural areas?

Of late violence, murders and drugs have taken priority over farm income, post-office closures and loneliness as "rural issues"

At the same time we are seeing a phenomenal increase in interest in local food, allotments and 'sense of community'.

Now is not the time to cease debating and asking the relevent questions:
  • What are the challenges for rural development?
  • What are the challenges for ourselves as rural development activists/practitioners?
  • What are the challenges for the Rural Science Association?
  • Are we meeting those challenges?
  • Are we equiped to meet these challenges?
  • Where do we go from here?

Comments

interviews

by John Durkan - 2010-02-28 20:06

not withstanding cuts in all departments there are still some jobs up for grabs. Its very demoralizing going into an interview wondering if the job is already gone and if you are only there to make up the numbers.

can we do anything to make the interview process fairer?

Interviews

by Bernard Joyce - 2010-03-01 22:07

John your genuine concern, I believe raises a challenge for the Rural Science Association.
I believe that the association has a role in raising the profile the professional profile of graduates in Rural Development and also in facilitating a mechanism for peer support so that if a member is applying for a job, they should be able to contact another member who is in a similiar job who may be able to act as a mentor.