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| Press Release 05/2013

Threats and chances for rural areas in transition countries

IAMO Forum 2013 will present latest findings on the subject

Depopulation of rural areas in transition countries is a grave problem. Young people frequently decide to leave such areas notably against the background of poor economic prospects, worsening of services and wide-spread poverty. Regarding the EU Members States among this group, several billions of euros have been spent to foster regional economies and enhance the quality of life. Despite previous efforts, it remains questionable whether appropriate political instruments were adopted and what the future development of the tense situation will be. Concerning the quality of life in rural areas is not only challenging public agents but also requires analyses of the roles and opportunities of private entrepreneurs, such as agroholdings and non-agricultural firms.

This year’s IAMO Forum is titled 'Rural Areas in Transition: Services of General Interest, Entrepreneurship and Quality of Life’ and will discuss these burning issues with a view to Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and Asia from 19 to 21 June 2013 in Halle (Saale). Prestigious researchers will present their latest research findings on such diverse topics as consequences of demographic changes, structural changes in rural economies as well as development of off-farm rural activities and impact assessment of rural policy interventions in rural regions in three plenary sessions and 15 parallel sessions.

The conference will start on 19 June with keynote presentations by Linxiu Zhang (Center for Chinese Agricultural Policy of the Chinese Academy of Sciences) and Marek Furmankiewicz (Wroclaw University of Environmental and Life Sciences, Polen) which will focus on delivery of public and private services of general interest and pertaining guiding principles for government’s activities. Day 2 will be devoted to the impact of rural entrepreneurship activities on economic growth as well as the social responsibilities of private actors; speakers will include Gerard McElwee (Sheffield Hallam University, UK) and Sophie Grunze (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit GmbH, GIZ, Germany). The quality of life in rural areas and economic disparities will be the key topics presented by Ida Terluin (Wageningen University and Research Centre, The Netherlands) and Charles M. Becker (Duke University, USA) on the last conference day. Discussions will also refer to consequences of demographic change and migration as reaction to policies and economic development. The conference concludes on 21 June with a panel discussion with policymakers, scientists and representatives of rural networks. Linxiu Zhang (CCAP, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China), Charles M. Becker (Duke University, USA) and Jan Florian (National Network of Local Action Groups, Czechia) will discuss perspectives of rural development policy.

Please, find further information and the complete IAMO Forum 2013 program on the conference website: www.iamo.de/forum/2013

The IAMO Forum 2013 is organised and hosted in cooperation with the Thünen Institute (TI) of Rural Studies, Braunschweig, and supported by German Research Foundation (DFG), the Rentenbank, the Marga and Kurt Möllgaard Foundation, the Ministry of Sciences and Economic Affairs of Saxony-Anhalt as well as the city of Halle.

Journalists and media representatives are very welcome to attend the three-day conference. Upon request, we will gladly arrange interviews and one-on-one meetings with experts during the event. Please, register at presse(at)iamo.de when you are interested to participate in the IAMO Forum 2013 free of charge.

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About IAMO

The Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO) analyses economic, social and political processes of change in the agricultural and food sector, and in rural areas. The geographic focus covers the enlarging EU, transition regions of Central, Eastern and South Eastern Europe, as well as Central and Eastern Asia. IAMO works to enhance the understanding of institutional, structural and technological changes. Moreover, IAMO studies the resulting impacts on the agricultural and food sector as well as the living conditions of rural populations. The outcomes of our work are used to derive and analyse strategies and options for enterprises, agricultural markets and politics. Since its founding in 1994, IAMO has been part of the Leibniz Association, a German community of independent research institutes.

Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO)
Theodor-Lieser-Str. 2
06120 Halle (Saale)
Germany
www.iamo.de/en
IAMO on Facebook: www.facebook.com/iamoLeibniz
IAMO on Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamoLeibniz


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Daniela Schimming

Daniela Schimming

Public Relations
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