Rural Development Expert Lectures at the Macaulay Institute

Rural development expert, Professor Mark Shucksmith will be appearing at the Macaulay Institute in Aberdeen to deliver a lecture on "Does the idea of Integrated Rural Development still have any place in Scotland?" on Friday 6 June. Mark recently chaired the Committee of Inquiry on Crofting for the Scottish Government, whose final report recommended abolishing the Crofters Commission.

Professor Shucksmith will discuss the issues related to building a sustainable rural community and how empowering the people of today can benefit the people of tomorrow. A specialist in sustainable ruralism and rural development, Professor Shucksmith comments: "an OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation Development) review of rural policy in Scotland recently argued that greater integration is needed between the many organisations involved. In the Macaulay lecture I will be asking whether this might best be achieved through supporting the empowerment of local communities, what difficulties this might entail, and whether this is the most effective means of developing sustainable rural communities for the 21st Century."

Mark is a former Director of the Arkleton Centre for Rural Development Research at the University of Aberdeen and he is currently Professor of Planning at Newcastle University. He is also a Board Member of England's Commission for Rural Communities and Vice-President of the International Rural Sociological Association

Mark's lecture is expected to attract up to 200 academics, politicians and interested members of public from the Aberdeen area. An annual lecture targeted at recent rural or environmental issues is a part of the Macaulay Institute's history — one has been delivered each year since 1976.

Anyone wishing to attend the 32nd Macaulay lecture on Friday 6 June at 2:00pm, should contact Jane Lund, of the Macaulay Institute, on 01224 498200 or email j.lund@macaulay.ac.uk.