Webinar: Service Provision and Rural Sustainability: Infrastructure and Innovation

The Rural Policy Learning Commons is hosting a free webinar titled, "Service Provision and Rural Sustainability: Infrastructure and Innovation Webinar". A brief description of the webinar is listed below: 

Access to quality services and community infrastructure are vital parts of supporting sustainable and resilient rural and small town places. A recent edited book has examined the challenges associated with renewing outdated infrastructure and supporting the delivery of services in small communities. By drawing upon contributors from Canada and New Zealand, the webinar explores innovative service and infrastructure delivery models for contemporary rural and small town places.

After a brief introduction by Sean Markey, Sean Connelly will discuss how rural health trusts in New Zealand have been formed in more resilient communities to provide the capacity for communities to take over the operations of health care facilities. However, this is not the case in communities where social capital and resourcing levels are weaker, leaving them at a structural disadvantage. Neil Hanlon will then explore upstream partnerships for primary health care reform in northern British Columbia. These partnerships with community leaders have been developed to achieve support for wellness promotion campaigns and community-based primary health care reform. Laura Ryser will then explore co-location projects to address aging infrastructure for non-profits, local government, schools, and other services in rural BC. Without well developed structures to provide support, advice, resources, and guidance, the development and operations of shared facilities encounter many challenges. Lastly, Greg Halseth will provide some reflections on the strategic policies, planning, and investments needed to support alternative service and infrastructure models.

The upcoming webinar is free to attend, however, registration is requested. Please register for the webinar here.  The School of Environmental Design and Rural Development is a member of the Rural Policy Learning Commons.