Rural Community Network’s 17th AGM Annual Conference last month marked the first opportunity for rural people and rural support organisations to seriously discuss what should be in the inaugural Rural White Paper for Northern Ireland. This government paper will aim to create a shared vision for what rural areas should look like in the future. After two days of study visits and discussion forums, delegates agreed on 10 principle statements that outline what the Rural White Paper should consider. The principle statements that were developed by local community group members and rural community development support agencies highlighted a number of key issues for consideration. Some examples being that a Rural White Paper should encourage the implementation and resourcing of structures that empower rural communities to connect to government, that it should encourage financial investment in rural communities and that it should focus on the barriers facing rural communities in accessing services, particularly in health care and education. The 10 principle statements are detailed below and we are keen for you to log on and give your opinion of the 10 statements and even add other principles you think should be considered by a Rural White Paper. We would also be keen to hear from any delegate who attended our conference and gain feedback on how you felt the conference addressed the issue and any other key messages from the conference that you would like to post. Please comments on the ten Statements that a Rural White Paper should consider.

The Rural Community Network >> Main Forums >> Help us to influence future vision for rural communities

Help us to influence future vision for rural communities
Topic	Author	Replies	Views	Last Post
Statement 1 - Identifying, Utilising and Optimising Assets	kathrynkerr	0	713	Posted By kathrynkerr 11/17/2008 3:53:24 PM
Statement 2 - Achieving Fairness for Everyone	kathrynkerr	0	563	Posted By kathrynkerr 11/17/2008 3:53:01 PM
Statement 3 - Empowering Local Governance	kathrynkerr	0	517	Posted By kathrynkerr 11/17/2008 3:52:40 PM
Statement 4 - Increasing Financial Resources for Community Benefit	kathrynkerr	0	504	Posted By kathrynkerr 11/17/2008 3:52:18 PM
Statement 5 - Enjoying Locally Relevant Services	kathrynkerr	0	512	Posted By kathrynkerr 11/17/2008 3:51:54 PM
Statement 6 - Enriching Social Capital and Wellbeing	kathrynkerr	0	510	Posted By kathrynkerr 11/17/2008 3:51:32 PM
Statement 7 - Valuing Local Distinctiveness	kathrynkerr	0	507	Posted By kathrynkerr 11/17/2008 3:51:09 PM
Statement 8 - Developing Reliable Infrastructure	kathrynkerr	0	479	Posted By kathrynkerr 11/17/2008 3:50:34 PM
Statement 9 - Enhancing Environmental Capacity	kathrynkerr	0	462	Posted By kathrynkerr 11/17/2008 3:50:07 PM
Statement 10 - Supporting a Dynamic Local Economy	kathrynkerr	0	481	Posted By kathrynkerr 11/17/2008 3:49:35 PM