Providing a stronger rural voice at the decision making table

Rural Community Network, Oakleaf Rural Community Network and Strabane & District Community Network will hold an event on Thursday 31 May in the Best Western White Horse Hotel, Co L'derry from 6.30pm to 9pm to promote the benefits of a Rural Community Development Networking Infrastructure that geographically covers the entire rural area of Northern Ireland. The informal event is open to everyone with an interest in rural and will include a creative exploration of the opportunities and challenges faced by rural people throughout Northern Ireland.

Michael Hughes, Director of Rural Community Network said 'We have all seen a number of extremely positive political developments in recent times culminating in the hope of a sustainable Northern Ireland Assembly, but we are still unsure about how our voices will be heard at the local decision making table.' He continued 'The convening of a new Assembly will reopen the debate on how local government will serve our communities and how policy development truly engages rural communities in the consultation process and delivery.'

According to Brian O'Brien from Strabane and District Community Network, 'People living in rural communities are still confused about how these changes will shape the delivery of local services and are concerned about how such structures will adequately articulate local needs.

Sandy Wilson from Oakleaf Rural Community Network added 'The Rural Community Development Networking Infrastructure which includes the Rural Community Network and 12 Rural Support Networks, will act as a conduit in order to support rural communities to develop their knowledge and ability to participate during this period of local government change'.

This event represents the second of six events taking place in every part of rural Northern Ireland attracting key rural stakeholders from the political and decision making sphere. Delegates who attended the first event in the Comfort Hotel, Antrim, remarked that it was encouraging to know that there is an infrastructure already in place to help rural communities increase their influence at the decision making table. One delegate said 'At long last we have a means of getting our fears and concerns voiced to local government'

To reserve a place or for further information on forthcoming events, please contact Teresa on 028 8676 6670 or email teresa@ruralcommunitynetwork.org