HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News Record, 2016-10-05, Page 3Rural 2 Rural Conference
inspires many
Justine Alkema
Clinton News Record
On September 28-30, Blyth
was full of rural citizens, com-
munity groups, academics,
entrepreneurs, farmers, artists
and local leaders. They all
gathered in the small village
for the first Rural 2 Rural
Conference.
The conference was bom out
of a conversation between Blyth
Citizen publisher Keith
Roulston and the Canadian
Centre for Rural Creativity's
(CCRC) Project Director, Peter
Smith.
In a conversation between
the two men, Keith asked,
"Wouldn't it be interesting if
rural people talked to other
rural people about their chal-
lenges and how they're facing
them?"
Smith took the idea and ran
with it. With the help of Karen
Stewart, Director of Operations
for CCRC, the conference came
together.
Smith expressed that while
he believes the conference was
a success, its success can only
be measured in what actions
take place following the event.
"The hard work starts now;"
said Smith.
The conference featured var-
ious panels, events and presen-
tations. Topics covered were
health and wellbeing, sustaina-
bility, technology, entrepre-
neurship and more.
One important topic dis-
cussed was the need for broad-
band intemet in rural commu-
nities. There was also a panel on
immigration which highlighted
the need for immigrants in
small communities to help
grow the population but also
the challenges immigrants face
when moving to rural areas.
There were 15 panels total
with people brought into speak
from the Yukon to Newfound-
land to Europe, as well as local
representatives.
'We had a really mixed group
of people from across the coun-
try who believe in rural and
want to invest in rural," said
Smith.
They also hosted the Pitch
and Catch, where six entre-
preneurs looking for financial
assistance pitched business
ideas to five investors, similar
to the television show "Drag-
on's Den': Four of those entre-
preneurs ended up with
Justine Alkema Clinton News Record
Canadian historian and History Channel host Norm Christie
speaking on Canadians in the World Wars in C.H.S.S.'s gym
on Thursday, September 29. Christie came as a part of Huron
County's Remembrance of its part in the Great War. Christie
was impressed that several C.H.S.S. students are going to Vimy
Ridge next April as part of the 100th anniversary of the battle.
He believes it is important for Canadians to remember and take
pride in their history. He said that `pilgrimages' to places like
Vimy Ridge reinforce where Canada became a nation and are
extremely valuable experiences for Canadian youth so that an
important part of our history will not be forgotten.
support from the panel of five
investors.
"The event took around one
and a half years to organize,"
said Smith, "And it was three
days that I'm glad I lived. It was
a really rich environment."
They are hoping to hold the
next Rural 2 Rural Conference
again in 2018.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016 • News Record 3
One of the sessions at the conference in Blyth last week.
Justine Alkema Clinton News Record
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