ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — If you live in a small community that has seen its share of change in recent decades and is wondering about its future, don’t fret, plan.
Finding ways to invigorate communities and make them prosper was explored at a regional development conference in St. John’s, N.L., Oct. 13-16.
Embracing local culture, collaborating with neighbours and policy-makers and having a plan for the future were among recommended ways regions can cope with change and look forward.
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“Rural communities across the country have many common issues, such as migration, declining population or an aging population. These factors present a lot of challenges for rural people, who often love their community, but who realize there is a need for a new vision for the community,” said Robert Annis, incoming president of the Canadian Rural Revitalization Foundation, one of the conference organizers.
CCRF provides a link between residents, academics, and government representatives on issues and policies.
Annis, a retired director of the Rural Development Institute of Brandon University in Manitoba, said it can be a struggle to create a vision for a community and see how to get there.
Most speakers agreed that developing partnerships is key.
Canadians can also learn from how other countries have coped with similar issues.
Brendan O’Keeffe, an associate professor at the University of Limerick in Ireland and a conference keynote speaker, said there were many common features and desires in rural communities.
“I think we begin by looking at our strengths and what we have in common,” he said.
The conference allowed delegates to create networks, share experiences and strategies and exchange their know-how and skills.
“There’s no major, magic solution. It’s all the small components, and learning from each other … strategies and approaches that are appropriate,” said O’Keeffe.
Understanding how to use existing strengths was another theme.
Brian Arnott, who founded a cultural consulting firm called Novita, said many small Canadian communities that were once resource based are dealing with a vastly different economic base.
“It’s a question about understanding what the issues are and understanding how to plan at the community level. It’s all about co-ordinating,” he said.
Speakers encouraged delegates to let their community groups know it’s important for them to work together to create new identities for their communities.
