The Rural Development Support Unit were invited to contribute to a major EU wide seminar which brought together the National Rural Networks and Ministries as well as Agriculture and Rural Development practitioners from the 27 member states. The event was held held over two days in Brussels and commenced on March the 30th.

Commissioner Fisher Boel opened the conference and spoke with conviction about the importance of creative ideas within the EU.  She highlighted the role of networks in generating and promoting ideas and claimed that this role is critical in the economically challenging times we now face. The conference was organised by the European Network for Rural Development which is a network of national networks established under the Rural Development programme (2007-2013)

The Commissioner outlined her view that Rural Development policy and practice will be bolstered subsequent to 2013 and in this context she highlighted the importance of measuring the impact of the current programme and in generating ideas as to how it should be developed in the future. She was encouraged by the emphasis being placed by the Networks on Climate Change and Common Goods in rural areas and looked forward to hearing how development programmes can address these issues.

The seminar was addressed by senior DG Agri officials, Director  Jose Manual Sousa Uva, the Deputy Director, Loretta Dormal Marino and Heads of Unit, John Lougheed and Rob Peters. Delegates heard about the progress being made in bringing together the Agriculture and Rural Development sectors in Germany, Italy, France, Sweden and The Netherlands. The emphasis was placed on the importance of constructive collaboration in delivering the rural Development programmes in the best interest of Agriculture and Rural Communities.

Mr Sousa-Uva and Ms Dormal-Marino both reiterated the importance and value of LEADER and emphasised the need to appreciate that the current programme and the National Rural Networks embraced the Agri-Competitiveness and Agri-Environment sectors as well as the Local Action Groups. Delegates discussed the opportunity that this programme presented in integrating and aligning development efforts in rural areas. They were also very conscious of the challenges that this proposition presented at EU, National, Regional and even Local levels when it come to the integration of Agriculture and Rural Development policy and practice.

Paul Keating, the manager of the rural Development Support Unit, which will deliver the National Rural Network in Ireland, was invited to share the Irish experience and reiterated the need for the Network to serve a clear and useful purpose for the many organisations and administrations active in Irish Agriculture and Rural Development. Paul also reported to the seminar from a workshop which explored the Strategic Framework for the National Rural Networks. He highlighted the need to measure the impact of networking in this context and to respond to the needs of the various stakeholders.

Mr Michael Ludlow from Comhair LEADER na hEireann (the Irish LEADER network) was present and contributed on the strengths and concerns of LEADER in Ireland. The Department of Agriculture Fisheries and Food was represented by Ms Rebecca Chapman.

The seminar presented a valuable opportunity for those involved in the early stages of establishing the NRN in Ireland to meet with people undertaking similar roles across the EU. Particular links were re-established with programme staff in Slovenia, Austria, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Lithuania and Greece where the scale and approach to the Network are similar to Ireland. Contact was made with some progressive French and Dutch Agriculture and Rural Development organisations as well as some of the key individuals in the area of monitoring and evaluating such programmes. Relationships were reinforced with the UK, English, Welsh, Scottish and Northern Irish programmes where collaborative approaches to network activities were discussed.  The occasion also helped to raise the profile of the National Rural Network in Ireland and highlighted the fact that we have a valuable contribution to make within the European Arena.

In her closing remarks Commissioner Fisher Boel wished the delegates well in their future work and shared her hope that the national and European Networks  become a forums for “deep and imaginative discussion”.