“The Future of Rural Areas to 2031” seminar

Ballyhoura Development is hosting a future focused conference; “The Future of Rural Areas to 2031 - A positive and integrated examination of challenges and opportunities to achieve socially and economically sustainable rural communities”. The conference, which takes place on 11-12 November 2010 in Charleville, Co. Cork, will reflect on the challenges and opportunities facing rural areas and will, through a mixture of project visits, presentations and discussions explore the strategies that rural areas should proactively implement to realise their full resource potential across productive, human, natural and social capital. The conference is based on the hypotheses that the future of rural communities and of the Ballyhoura area depends on the sustainable development of four key areas: Food, Energy, Services, and Tourism /Recreation.

The 2 day conference will be of interest to policy makers, practitioners, stakeholders and persons involved in rural development including those who make decisions /investments relating to rural areas and people with an interest in rural development and in the future of rural communities ranging from publicly elected representatives, commercial business owners, public sector employees and local government professionals, 3rd level academic personnel, Government Officials, advisory bodies and agencies and voluntary and social development leaders. Conference details and registration details from Annette at Ballyhoura Development 063-91735 or acrowley@ballyhoura.org