ARDN Initiatives
Creating Rural Connections
Creating Rural Connections
Through Networking
Creating Rural Connections 2011
Creating Rural Connections 2010
Creating Rural Connections 2011 Conference
This was ARDN’s second must-attend conference linking rural communities with Alberta’s post-secondary institutions.
The Alberta Rural Development Network (ARDN) hosted its second rural development conference at the Mayfield Inn & Suites, Edmonton, Alberta from April 12 to April 14, 2011.
With nearly 300 delegates it was three exciting days of presentations, discussions and networking. Top notch speakers shared their rural projects, programs, research and lessons learned. Participants gained new ideas to apply or adapt to your own work or community and met colleagues from across Alberta to explore new opportunities. It was the perfect blend of rural community and post-secondary collaboration.
The conference featured a combination of keynote and concurrent presentations as well as interactive discussion groups, poster sessions, and networking opportunities.
Click on the links below to learn more about the conference.
Full Program
Concurrent Sessions
Keynote Presentations
Co-hosts, Supporters, and Sponsors
Thoughts from the Delegates
Click on a link below to read articles on the a few of the sessions.
BC’s Approach to Rural and Regional Economic Development by Andrea Collins
Closer to Home by Kelsie Tetreau
Intercultural Awareness 101 by Diane Morrison
Rural Family Caregivers by Davin Robertson
Rural Routes by Diane Morrison
The Coordination Challenge by Andrea Collins
Working Together by Courtney Rupertus
To read more articles, read the April, May and June issues of the Rural Connector Newsletter.
Keynote Presentations
Click on the photo of one of the keynote speakers to view the presentation. Please be patient as the video can take up to fifteen minutes to load.
Mike Stolte Charlie French Jeff Dixon
Co-Hosts, Supporters, and Sponsors
Click here to see who helped make the conference a success.
Thoughts from the Delegates
“I really enjoyed the conference for a number of reasons. First, it was great to hear about all the different ways that community colleges are partnering with rural organizations from doing research to actually planning projects and pulling together project partners. Second, we are working on several partnerships that involve community colleges and it was perfect to actually meet people that I have only exchanged emails with. And third, I have a much better understanding about the constraints that community colleges work under and a more realistic understanding about how we can work together.”
- Toby Williams, Community Futures Alberta
“The conference was well organized with knowledgeable speakers and timely subjects. Good in depth background on all presentations. It was well worth attending.”
- Richard Harpe, County of Grande Prairie
“I work with Rural Routes providing support to ESL groups in rural communities. It’s interesting to see how my work fits into a more diverse framework and structure of employment and community well-being. This conference is important to be able to see commonalities and to build relationships with others on a broader economic and social level.”
- Lorene Anderson, NorQuest College
“This conference was very informative and well organized. I came away from some of the sessions with a great sense of learning. The networking is always great and refreshing. If given the opportunity, it is a conference to attend.”
- Odell Flett, Mackenzie County
“Green Hectares sees the ARDN conference quickly becoming the main event of the year where tangible rural development partnerships are the result of attending. The sessions generate new ideas on our approach to rural development. Likewise, the networking opportunities and partnership building allow us to follow through with results on those great ideas”.
- Wendy Schneider, Green Hectares
“What a wonderful opportunity to bring together people and organizations who are so passionate about our rural communities. I am so looking forward to seeing the many new projects that ARDN will be supporting in the future and where I (and the organizations I represent) might be able to fit in.”
- Fred Young, AOF and Ag Society Programs
“Thanks for a great conference. Made us realize the potential of our province, helped me to connect with people and learned more about ARDN.”
- Martha Burkle, SAIT Polytechnic
“The conference proved itself a valuable networking opportunity. We made several solid connections for follow up with people who were interested in our project, and with others who have resources and supply services that we need.”
- Kevin Edwards, 24-7 Alberta Web Platform
Creating Rural Connections 2010 Conference
May 11-13, 2010, University of Lethbridge
This was a must-attend Conference linking rural communities with Alberta’s Post-Secondary institutions.
Welcome to the Conference site for Creating Rural Connections 2010 hosted by the Alberta Rural Development Network (ARDN).
The conference was held from May 11-13, 2010 at the University of Lethbridge. It featured a combination of keynote and concurrent presentations as well as interactive discussion groups, poster sessions and networking opportunities.
Keynote speakers include Mark Anielski, author of The Economics of Happiness; Roger Gibbins, president and CEO of Canada West Foundation; Doug Griffiths, MLA Battle River-Wainwright; Donna Finley, principal of Framework Partners Inc. and Ed Martsolf from Arkansas who will speak on The Morrilton Miracle. Concurrent sessions will focus on natural resource management/sustainability and leadership/community capacity.
The Network is comprised of all 21 publicly-funded publicly-governed post-secondary institutions in Alberta. Creating Rural Connections Conference 2010
Thank you to all who attended The Creating Rural Connections Conference, May 11-13 2010 in Lethbridge. This was a great success with many opportunities for learning, networking, and the exchange of research and information related to rural development. We will be uploading the presentations within the next few weeks - Please make sure to check back often.
To view the program please click on this LINK
To view the Keynote Speakers vidoes please click on the picture below. *Please note: these videos will take approximately five minutes to load.
Roger Gibbins-Canada West Foundation Doug Griffiths, MLA Battle River-Wainwright
Mark Anielski, author of The Economics of Happiness Donna Finley,Framework Partners Inc
