Rural Communities Taking Charge of Change | Robyn Eversole | TEDxBucknellUniversity

TL;DR

Rural communities can take control of their future by being entrepreneurial, staying engaged, and knowing their values.

Transcript

do you love where you live do you live in a rural community where you can see stars breathe clean air and know the names of your neighbors is the people to tree ratio at least one to 10 still more trees than people and have you ever been told that you can't live this way that it all has to change that there must be more buildings more traffic and m... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 Rural communities often feel powerless in the face of change, as decisions are made by external sources that do not understand or prioritize their values.
• 🎮 However, rural communities can take control of their future by leveraging their unique assets and resources.
• 💨 Successful rural communities are entrepreneurial, finding ways to add value and solve problems using their local strengths.
• 🌐 Engagement and networking with local and global organizations can provide rural communities with valuable knowledge and resources.
• 😚 It is essential for rural communities to have a clear understanding of their values and what they do not want to lose, in order to make informed choices about their future.
• 💠 Every rural community is unique, and the choices they make to shape their future will vary.
• 💱 Rural communities do not have to be victims of change; they can take charge and create the future they desire.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why do rural communities often feel like they have no say in the changes happening to their environment?

Rural communities often feel powerless because decisions that impact their community are made by people from external sources who do not understand the local values and needs.

Q: How can rural communities take charge of change?

Rural communities can take charge of change by recognizing and mobilizing their unique assets and resources, being entrepreneurial in finding solutions, staying engaged with each other and the wider world, and maintaining a clear understanding of their values.

Q: What are some examples of successful rural communities taking control of change?

Examples include communities in Bolivia that relied on family members living in the city to access education and resources, and communities in Australia that diversified their economic activities and promoted their unique local assets to grow their town's economy.

Q: How can rural communities resist external schemes that may not align with their values?

Rural communities can resist outside schemes by actively engaging with one another, networking with organizations locally and globally, and asserting their values and concerns when decisions about their community are being made.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Rural communities often feel powerless in the face of change, as decisions are made by people from outside their community.

• However, examples from Bolivia and Australia show that rural communities can take charge of change by leveraging their unique assets and resources.

• Successful rural communities are entrepreneurial, staying engaged with each other and with the global community, and have a clear understanding of their values.