International Conference to be hosted by the Commission for the Economic Development of Rural Areas (CEDRA).
CEDRA is hosting a conference “The Future of Rural Society: Opportunities for Rural Economic Development” on June 10thin the National University of Ireland Maynooth. The preliminary results from the CEDRA public consultation phase will be presented and the conference will give the Commission the opportunity to engage with rural stakeholders and establish their views on how to secure the future of rural society. The conference will have inputs from international experts and will mark the 25th Anniversary of the first EU Rural Development Strategy, “The Future of Rural Society.” The conference is an associated event of the Irish Presidency of the Council of the EU and anyone that has an interest in attending this free event is invited to register a place through the Commission’s website www.ruralireland.ie
Minister Phil Hogan is taking the opportunity afforded by the announcement of this conference to congratulate and thank the Commission Chair, Pat Spillane on the work of the Commission to date stating, “Pat and the other members of the commission have done a great job so far bringing the people of rural Ireland together to discuss the issues and challenges they face and more importantly encourage them to come up with innovative and workable solutions to these challenges. I very much look forward to hearing more detail on what people had to say and to seeing the Commission’s recommendations for supporting the economic development of rural Ireland into the future. This conference is the first step in that process and I encourage all interested parties to attend on the 10th June.”
Chairperson of the Commission Pat Spillane is asking the public to register for the conference, “We have received a massive response from the people of rural Ireland and the one thing that stands out is that they are incredibly passionate people that are ready to work to save their communities. At the conference, we will be giving the feedback from our public consultation phase and we will be engaging with the attendees to gain their input for the report. We have also extended our submission deadline to June 30th and submissions can be made through our website.”
CEDRA will produce a report advising the government on the practical steps needed to ensure rural Ireland contributes to and benefits from economic development to the period 2025. The work of CEDRA is being supported by the Department of Environment, Community and Local Government, Teagasc, the Western Development Commission and the Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine. Membership of the Commission is drawn from expertise in rural development across a wide range of sectors including community, local authority, business and third level education.
For more information, please visit www.ruralireland.ie