1. A time for rural recognition: can we achieve social justice? CARNEGIE COMMISSION FOR RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Kate Braithwaite – Director of Rural Programmes

2. Carnegie Commission 26 members – practitioners, academics and policy makers All with a special concern for the welfare of rural communities Met for the first time in July 2004 Report will be published on 30 th January

3. Listen and learn from rural communities and place their issues centre stage. Invest in solutions Advocate for public policies that strengthen rural communities Facilitate the exchange of ideas between policy makers, academics and rural communities Work with partners to maximise the resource available for rural communities WHAT WILL THE CARNEGIE COMMISSION FOR RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DO?

4. Evidence Gathering

5. Public Sector Private Sector Community Sector Three sector influences on rural areas

6. Rural Affordable Housing – 3 sector failure Public Sector Community Sector Private Sector

7. Essential social welfare services – 3 sector failure Community Sector Public Sector Private Sector

8. Housing to buy or to rent Infrastructure of essential utilities Access to affordable and healthy food A meeting place Formal and informal education opportunities Employment opportunities Access to benefits Access to health care Security and public safety Opportunities for re-creation Social connections Civic and political rights Sustainable environment ESSENTIALS OF CONTEMPORARY RURAL LIFE

9. ASSET BASED RURAL COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT Draws out strengths and successes of a community as its starting point for change (appreciative inquiry) Assets inherent in social relationships (e.g. formal / informal associations and networks recognized as social capital Community-driven in keeping with the principles and practice of participatory approaches Directed towards sustainable economic development that is community-driven. Relies on linkages between community and public and private sectors. Fosters active citizenship engagement to ensure access to public goods and services, and therefore contributes to, strengthened civil society.

10. ASSETS Human (skills, talents, attributes) Institutions Financial (local wealth) Environmental (landscape, geology, flora and fauna) Cultural (history, tradition, arts) Land and Buildings Industry

11. Traditional development and Asset Based Community Development Needs, deficiencies, problems Negative mental map Client mentality Resources go to rural agencies Undermines local leadership Dependency Separates community Capacities, assets, dreams, strengths Optimistic mental map Citizen participation Minimizes bureaucracy, resources to community Builds local leadership and confidence Empowerment Builds connections Inside out

13. DCMSODPMDTiETC Rural proofing DEFRA CRC Government Office Regional Development Agency Natural England Regional Rural Affairs Forum Regional Rural Delivery Framework Regional Rural Action Plan Regional Spatial Strategy Regional Economic Strategy LA LSPRCCsVCS Partnerships

14. Requirements for securing social justice through asset building in rural areas A whole community agreement about guiding values An integrated view rather than sectoral division Influence via community planning Holistic analysis and co-ordination of rural services between rural communities, public and private agencies. Access to IT – now an essential and liberating part of contemporary rural life Investment in distinctive cultures as a factor in development Rural perspectives in education A radical re-examination of land tenure to allow for local people, including key workers, to live in their home areas Re-mutualisation of other assets

15. Rural Action Research Programme Carnegie UK Trust and Big Lottery Fund – Skills for Rural Community Development – Sustainable management of community assets – Community led service delivery – Needs of remote and peripheral areas – Building inclusive communities – Involvement in community planning