Rural Neighbours in times of change: a two day symposium
The Centre for Social Research and Regional Futures' Rural Land Use and Community Research Network presents a two day symposium: Rural Neighbours in Times of Change. The Network brings together local and international scholars working in the area of rurality and community, rural land use change and conflict, and migration and mobility. The aim of the network is to explore rurality (as locality) through the lens of global mobilities, as it manifests through movement of people (e.g. urban-rural migration, asylum seekers and refugees), minerals (e.g. coal and gas), and agricultural products. During a two-day workshop, the network will focus on the theme of ‘rural neighbours’, with the sub-themes of locality and globalisation; migration and displacement; place and emplacement.
Throughout history, local places have been shaped through meetings between local populations and global forces. Physical and social landscapes have been altered through conquest and settlement, at the same time presenting destructive and creative potentials connecting localities with global entities. At the periphery of global politico-economic realities, rural places have become sites of contestation; locations in which debates about the commons and structural inequalities manifest. At the same time, rurality and rural communities remain icons of cohesion, harmony and sustainable lives. As the international political elites debate how to deal with the contemporary challenges of climate change, food security and migration, these debates are localised realities of rural populations across the globe.
1-2 June, Crowne Plaza, Newcastle.
Contact Dr Hedda Askland for more details.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.