The Arkleton Seminar, 2001

The main themes discussed at the seminar were:

• The changing context for rural development, communities and policies
• The importance of power and its distribution
  • the nature and sources of disempowerment in the rural context
  • the means of empowerment in rural contexts
  • practice, theory and policies: where to go next?
• Proposals for a Conference of the International Rural Network in June 2003

The report, drafted by Rhys Evans, will be published early in 2002 on our website.

The seminar was extremely lively, and we had many expressions of gratitude from the participants, especially for the work of the chairperson, Agnes Rennie, and for the variety of people present in terms of national and professional background.

The other outcome will be a major conference of the International Rural Network to be held in Inverness from 23-27 June, 2003. The topic is "Taking Charge: Rural Community Empowerment in Rural Development, Rural Health and Rural Education". It will be organised by The Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research at the University of Aberdeen and the UHI Millennium Institute [3]. 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, that 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, and 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.

Proposals to organise workshops on specific themes will be welcomed. So far, ideas include: Money in Rural Empowerment (trade, and credit); Community Land and Resource Ownership and Management as a means of Empowerment; Arts, Language and Cultural renewal; Renewable Energy for Community Power; Information and Communications Technology as a tool; Community theatre and facilitation; Gaining control over Data and Knowledge; Engagement of Young People; Planning and Evaluation for Participative Partnerships; Networking and Community Health Initiatives; Life-long learning and community schools. No decisions have yet been taken on these, and the input of participants and sponsors is encouraged at this stage.

If you are interested, please send an expression of interest as soon as possible to rhys.evans@abdn.ac.uk in order to ensure that the organisers can send you further information about the conference and study tour arrangements, arrangements for posters and displays, etc. If you do not have e-mail, send a fax to Rhys Evans at +44 (0) 1224 27 3902.

3 The UHI Millennium Institute is the name given to the University of the Highlands and Islands in the making.