Outlines activities planned by the 69 local development districts in the 11 member states to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Appalachian Regional Commission. Summarizes the results of a questionnaire sent to all local development districts to determine the commission's most important accomplishments and remaining needs. (NEC)

The author draws upon her field observations in China during 1976 to describe how the People's Republic is trying to provide a broader base for popular participation in development. Discusses the changing nature of schooling, the importance placed on learning, and specific examples of changes in education. (CT)

Context is a key factor in designing and delivering adult learning programmes, and in multilingual environments the choice of language plays a decisive role. Four programmes, two in Asia (Bhutan Myanmar) and two in Africa (Ghana and Uganda), which focus on learning for development, integrate language considerations in different ways, related both…

This publication reports accomplishments of the National Extension Task Force for Community Leadership and makes recommendations for strengthening educational programming in community leadership in the Cooperative Extension System. The recommendations are presented in the context of a "white paper" rather than formal policy. High…

The author discusses the Rural Development Degree Program (village-based, experientially oriented degree courses at the University of Alaska-Fairbanks), which is aimed at developing local leadership to mediate the impact of the dominant external forces and to maintain a modicum of social and cultural integrity. (CT)

Reviews developments of experimental satellite programs and their relationship to those operational satellite systems in existence or planned for use by private communications corporations and government agencies. Emphasizes issues related to the planning and availability of satellite systems. (JMF)

Many small towns are considering community-based start-up funds (SUF) to foster development and retention of small businesses. But whether a community is large or small, a group must be well-organized before it begins to make decisions concerning the design and purpose of a small-business SUF. This primer highlights some main points a community…

A variety of topics related to innovative uses of media in international development are addressed in this newsletter, which includes the following articles: "The Radio Mathematics Project: New Examples of Technology Transfer," by Klaus Galda; "An Overview and Guide: Planning Instructional Radio," by Maurice Imhoof;…

Directed at the chronically unemployed, poor single parents, and welfare recipients, microenterprise programs provide access to loans and technical training for the express purpose of creating small-scale self-sufficient entrepreneurs no longer dependent on public support. Lessons from international microenterprise programs, federal funding…

This report provides the reader with a summary of the rationale, design strategies, and major accomplishments of the Appalachian Rural Systemic Initiative (ARSI). Drawing upon both the data collected directly in Appalachia by Inverness Research Associates, as well as knowledge gained by working with many other rural initiatives, this summary…

Designed as a supplement to workshops on radio support for literacy, this reader is intended to assist workshop participants to put radio in the broader perspective of development support communication and to provide background information on the use of radio in adult literacy education. An introduction provides an overview of literacy and…

As the second annual report on policies and programs designed to improve the quality of life in U.S. rural and nonmetropolitan regions, this report: (1) presents tentative qualitative goal statements; (2) sets forth results-oriented quantitative goals for programs funded under provisions of the Rural Development Act of 1972; (3) describes the…

Belize (formerly British Honduras) has achieved a good deal of success with its Rural Education and Agriculture Programme (REAP). REAP was initiated in 1976 to create the attitudes and provide the skills necessary for rural youth to make meaningful contributions to the country's agricultural development. Initiated by an intraministerial and…

The title reflects the first and major article in an issue of this newsletter devoted entirely to communication satellites. This series of articles on the potential and applications of communication satellites in development projects is concerned with their development for commercial and public service, development in the Pacific region, SPACECOM…

The importance of rural areas in Finland is discussed. Padasjoki is used as an example of the problems of a small rural town and the solutions: creation of jobs and changes in land and housing policies. The Padasjoki model in theory and practice is examined. (CT)