UPEI partners with Georgetown Conference to offer unique online learning community
The University of Prince Edward Island and the Georgetown Conference organizing committee have partnered to provide a set of free online learning modules on rural economic change. This learning community will provide background on some of the major issues on rural economic change in Atlantic Canada and set the stage for the conference, and stimulate online dialogue on rural economic change in Atlantic Canada.
Module one (of four) was released today on 'A History of the Rural Economy in Atlantic Canada' which covers the history of Georgetown, defining rural and urban historically in Atlantic Canada, the rural and urban economy of Atlantic Canada before the 21st century, and defining rural and urban today in Atlantic Canada. These interactive modules can be of use to the broader digital community interested in redefining rural.
'These free, interactive learning environment modules on redefining rural that have been prepared for the Georgetown Conference are a way that UPEI and researchers from throughout Atlantic Canada can contribute to a better understanding of the past, present, and future of the region,' said UPEI's Dr. Jim Randall, Coordinator, Master of Arts in Island Studies. 'We encourage everyone to read and watch the modules and participate in the online discussion.'
The second module, 'A Primer on Rural Economic Change in Canada' will focus on some of the statistical economic and demographic changes in the Atlantic (rural and urban) over the past 50 years; leadership development and governance in rural communities, and strategies for rural communities.
The third module entitled 'The Stories of the ‘Doers and Producers' at the Georgetown Conference' will highlight a subset of conference delegates through interviews with a focus on what works and what doesn't work in Atlantic communities and lessons and advice for other rural Canadian communities.
Module four 'Outcomes and Next Steps for the Georgetown Movement' will include messages from Georgetown, reports from the conference break-out groups, and final thoughts on the conference by Dr. Donald Savoie, Canada Research Chair in Public Administration and Governance at the Université de Moncton.
'The Georgetown Conference and its theme ‘Rural Redefined' have struck a responsive chord with people throughout Atlantic Canada and well beyond,' said Conference Co-Chair Wade MacLauchlan. 'UPEI's initiative to offer an online learning environment dedicated to rural issues is a much appreciated service to the 250 ‘doers and producers' who have been selected as delegates, and to a much larger interested community here in the region and around the world.'
The Georgetown Conference takes place October 3-5. To access the free online modules, visit http://redefiningrural01.pressbooks.com/
