The final phase of work on this theme began in July. It consists of workshops and focus group with key stakeholders – especially community groups - in each of the five jurisdictions in order to test out the skills needed for effective rural community development today and in the future. It will build upon the action-research undertaken by the RARP over the last two years as well as the findings and recommendations of the Carnegie Commission on Rural Community Development. – A Charter for Rural Communities.
The emphasis in the final phase is on looking forward to future challenges, ambitions and opportunities for rural communities, especially the impact of climate change and resource depletion. It will be essential for the work in each jurisdiction to connect with the particular policy context and to relate the work to programmes of key agencies, organisations and groups.
The following organisations are members of the skills consortium:
- Irish Rural Link
- Rural Community Network
- The Community Development Unit at the University of Bangor
- Wales Council for Voluntary Action
- The Scottish Community Development Centre
- The Centre for Research in Community Learning and Development at the University of Dundee
- University of Gloucestershire
- Action with Communities in Rural England
- Lifelong Learning UK
The skills RARP began its work in May 2006 and has gathered and recorded a considerable amount of material. This is being used to inform the final phase of the work as will A Charter for Rural Communities and findings emerging from the other RARPs. The development of Carnegies’ Communities of Practice will be of major significance for the carrying forward of the skills RARP’s work.
Preliminary findings from the workshops and focus groups being held in the five jurisdictions will be discussed at Carnegie’s convention in November. Following that event, the RARP will draw together the findings from the jurisdictions and produce an overall analysis.
Consultant
The consultant for this theme is Paul Henderson, formerly Director of Practice Development at the Community Development Foundation (recently retired). He is now a community development consultant.
Have your say
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