Westmeath Community Development

Irish Rural Link invite you to a seminar on

FIGHTING RURAL POVERTY

Thursday 24th June 2010
9:30am - 12:45pm

Venue: Irish Rural Link, Clara Road, Moate, Co. Westmeath

About the Seminar
The seminar will explore the causes of poverty and social exclusion in rural areas and examine how local communities can work to combat it. Some of the causes of rural poverty and exclusion include rural population trends, the situation in agriculture, poor access to services and limited employment opportunities.

Poverty is more likely to occur in rural areas than urban areas. The difference between the ‘poorest’ and ‘richest’ counties increased over the Celtic tiger period and disposable incomes in rural areas are below those of urban areas. Fuel and transport poverty are significant issues in rural areas.

Rural poverty is a specific theme of the European Year for Combating Poverty and Social Exclusion 2010 and this seminar aims to highlight issues around rural poverty. It will discuss practical ways communities can work to fight poverty and social exclusion in their areas. It is one of three regional seminars to be held throughout Ireland as part of the European year. Further seminars will be held in Athenry (6th July) and Cork (15th July).
 
Fighting Rural Poverty
Thursday 24th June 2010
9:30 am-12:45
Irish Rural Link, Clara Road, Moate, Co. Westmeath

9:30 – 10:00 Registration, tea/coffee
10:00 – 11:10 Speakers
• Overview of Rural Poverty - Irish Rural Link
• Brian Lyons – Smallholder Development Worker, Offaly Local Development Company
• Linda-Jo Quinn – Local & Community Development Programme Co-ordinator, Westmeath Community Development
11:10 – 11:25 Questions and Answers
11:25 – 11:40 Break
11:40 – 12:10 Break out group session examining what can communities do in relation to:
• Employment
• Poverty
• Low farm incomes
• Poor access to services
12:10 – 12:30 Feedback and discussion
12:30 – 12: 45 Closing remarks

The seminar will be of particular interest to:
• Family Resource Centres
• Local community groups working with younger people, older people, small holders and other people at particular risk of disadvantage
• Projects funded under the Community Development Programme and Community Services Programme
• Other locally based organisations such as Refugee Support Groups, Women’s Networks, Traveller Groups etc.
• Local Development Companies
• Statutory agencies
• Local authorities
• Other interested individuals or groups

Attendance at the seminar is free but participants are asked to reserve a place by contacting Irish Rural Link, Moate Business Park, Clara Road, Moate, Co. Westmeath. Tel: (090) 6482744 or by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Tuesday 22nd June 2010