| September 23, 2010 | to | September 24, 2010 |
EU Rural Cooperation Fair taking place on 23rd and 24th September in Edinburgh
(Source: National Rural Network – http://www.nrn.ie)
Would you like to network with a wide range of people from across Europe? Do you want to share knowledge and experience with others involved in rural development? Are you interested in cooperating on projects with others in Scotland, the UK and Europe? Then the EU Rural Cooperation Fair taking place on 23rd and 24th September at Murrayfield in Edinburgh is for you.
The event will feature a mix of plenary sessions, workshops, project visits, a market place and informal opportunities to network over lunch and a conference dinner.
Norette Ferns, editor of the SNRN website said, “Building on the success of last year’s Rural Gathering event at Perth Race Course, the EU Rural Cooperation Fair is a fantastic opportunity to network with people living and working in rural communities across Europe. There will be many opportunities, both formal and informal, for networking, sharing experience and knowledge and identifying possible cooperation projects.
“There are a limited number of spaces available for users of the SNRN website who live in Scotland, and I would urge you to register your interest if you would like a place at this major rural event.”
The plenary session on the morning of 23rd September will feature high profile speakers from Scotland and Europe. Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead will give the opening speech. There will also be presentations from Jean-Michel Courades from DG AGRI , Panagiotis Patras, president of the EU Local Action Group association ELARD [2], and a representative from the European Network for Rural Development about Cooperation.
Six parallel themed workshops will run on 23rd September covering economic development, social issues, culture, environment, tourism and community development. The workshops will be a chance to explore opportunities for cooperation projects and how this could be a vehicle for implementing local development strategies. There will be a wide range of workshop facilitators from Finland, Sweden, Hungary, Austria, Germany and the UK.
There will be a market place with exhibition stands showcasing National Rural Networks and Scottish organisations. The market place will also include a facility for posting opportunities and offers and making appointments to meet potential partners and facilities for informal meetings.
On the evening of 23rd September there will be a conference dinner and dance at the Hub on the Royal Mile. This will also be an excellent chance to network on a more informal basis, and show off your ceilidh moves!
On the 24th September there will be feedback and discussion from the workshops, a chance to put questions to an expert panel and a concluding address. There will also be another chance to visit the market place. In the afternoon, delegates will have the opportunity to go on an optional project visit. Further details of these will follow shortly.
A number of places will be available for users of the Scotland National Rural Network website, and there is still time to register your interest. Send an email to EUruralfair@scvo.org.uk] with your name, address and contact details and why you think it important for your local area that you should be there.
