COVID-19 and Lessons for Rural Communities - 28 May

Posted on 25 May 2020

Irish Rural Link are inviting you to join them in a series of conversations around: COVID-19 and LESSONS FOR RURAL COMMUNITIES commencing Thursday, 28 May at 10.00am to 11.00am.

The first of these will feature:

  • Mairead McGuiness MEP and Vice President of the European Parliament.
  • Andrew Forde Principal Officer/Head of Rural Strategy and Social Enterprise DRCD in conversation with Séamus Boland, CEO Irish Rural Link and incoming President of Group Three, European Economic and Social Council.

COVID-19 has completely turned all our lives upside down. Words like cocooning, social distance, remote working are among the many now in common use. Indeed, without asking for it we find that we are living through one of the great social experiments of all times.

In rural communities the changes are profound. More people are at home. Some are cocooning or in isolation, some are there because they have lost their job or are working from home.

As a consequence, rural shops are thriving, neighbours are getting to know each other and many people have volunteered as part of the Community response call to reach out to people who need help.

So: what are learning from this unwanted experiment and can we reimagine a different rural Ireland as a result of this experience? What will Europe do for rural communities and what should we be saying to rural areas.?

Access to these conversations is free. However, in order to receive your personal link, you must register first. 

This series of conversations will address learnings in the form of:

  • Remote working:
  • Providing care services:
  • Shopping in the local village;
  • Social & Rural enterprises;
  • Health and well-being;
  • Digitalisation;

REGISTER HERE