Finally it was time for justice to be served at ruralnet|2006.
Gordon Morris, freelance writer and researcher made the case for the prosecution - the charge being 'Agencies involved in rural development are charged with exaggerating the issue of rural deprivation'
In a thorough and erudite speech he asked four fundamental questions:
Firsty, what is being exaggerated? He argued that the concept of rural derprivation rather than the reality was being exaggerated, and that we already know who and where the rural poor are. Secondly, in what ways is it being exaggerated? Mr Morris produced two exhibits showing the deliberate overcomplication of the issues leaving the room in a soup of 'Definitional Delights'.
Thirdly he asked why is it being being exaggerated? He alleged that a combination of showing that problems were too difficult to solve and the need for rural organisations to avoid managing themselves out of existence sustained the status quo. Finally he posed the question why is such exaggeration detrimental to the rural poor? He outlined the four stages of rural regeneration: seeking, testing, tweaking and sighing! In summing up he argued that these processes have become the end instead of the means to an end and that the underlying cause (financial poverty) is one that is politically too tricky to tricky to tackle directly.
In a robust defence Professor Michael Dower of the University of Gloucestershire claimed that far from exaggerating the situation, the 2000 Rural White Paper and further research showed moderation and indeed understated the state of rural deprivation. With one fifth of rural pensioners are living in poverty and 166,000 rural dwellings are unfit for use he pointed out that policies must be based on evidence and that the evidence is definitely real.
In an unusual twist, Judge Marshall then opened the speakers to cross-examination by the delegates in the courtroom. When asked about the current fashion for targets Prof Dower for the defence admitted he had no brief to defend them. He was also questioned about rural development organisations not taking on board contemporary issues and being left behind. He responded by saying that the latest government report to be realsed shortly, explicitly picks out issues such as migrant workers to which attentions should be directed.
Another exhibit was put before the jury and courtroom in the form of this statement from the Conference blog and was greeted with much support from the delegates present. The final question came from the a member of the jury who asked if services were not the problem not money. Drawing from her own experience of a 30 mile round-trip for getting toenails clipped, she stated that for the elderly, failing health often means leaving rural districts due to lack of services. Mr Morris for the prosecution agreed although he argued that root cause of the problem was not lack of services but lack of sufficient income, an inherent part of rural life.
The jury deliberated and returned their majority verdict of 9-3 in favour of the defendant, finding rural development agencies not guilty of of exaggerating the issue of rural development. Judge Marshall closed proceedings but warned:
"I feel compelled to warn you all about the dangers of complacency. I think there are lessons here for all of us, we must ensure that those that we lobby, be it for funding or for action, are properly aware of the issues, and that we back claims of deprivation up with evidence and example.
Therefore, those of you that work in rural development organisations, you are free to go on with your work. I urge you to consider the way you present your concerns carefully, especially in the face of competition for funding, and potential cynicism about the need for support."
The presentations from this session are available on the ruralnet|2006 conference area of ruralnet|online.
Delegates will need your ruralnet|online login details and password. If you have forgotten or mislaid them, email [email protected] or call 0845 130 5480.
If you did not attend the conference but would like to access presentations and more from this year's conference visit www.ruralnet.org.uk/join.htm for your free 14-day trial of ruralnet|online.
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