Selected presentations from a 1988 seminar on international trade hosted by Midland College (MC) are included in this report. Designed to direct west Texas businesses toward diversification and to prepare them for international trade and business opportunities, the seminar featured speakers in the field of international trade, including bank…

The economic role of counties is changing profoundly because of a revolutionary restructuring of the world economy and related changes in federalism. Three major forces are restructuring the economy: overcapacity in traditional industries, the emergence of new technologies that are creating new service and knowledge-based industries and…

Rural development is a democratic process involving local people in the analysis of their problems. It requires involvement from public and private organizations to deliver technical information, education, resources, organization, and other forms of tangible support. Diversity of lifestyles, changing energy costs, small inexpensive computers, and…

This issue paper presents three very different views of the roles that government, job training, and economic development programs play within society. The paper is meant to stimulate discussion among training and employment and community and economic development professionals; it focuses on job retention and emphasizes the role of counties in the…

This discussion guide is designed to help people examine the state of work in their community, explore changes, and strategize about what they can do to forge creative solutions and improve the community's worklife. It is especially appropriate for use in a study circle setting. The discussion materials are arranged into four sessions: (1) the…

This issue paper, meant to stimulate discussion within the employment and training community, offers three different perspectives on improving conditions in rural areas. However, all of these perspectives share common themes: a belief in the ability of rural areas to recover economically, a commitment to ensuring that this occurs, and the use of…

One in a series of booklets whose purpose is to stimulate greater and more effective understanding of world affairs among Americans, this five-chapter report explores Africa's attempts to lay the developmental foundations of a prosperous, modern economy shaped and molded to the cultural norms of the African people. Four central points addressed…

Intended to provide guidance to Extension specialists and agents faced with requests for impact analyses from communities experiencing economic development, this report also summarizes issues that need to be considered. The first section, on private sector impacts, addresses questions on predicting changes in production, employment, and housing…

Nine essays, originally presented at an interdisciplinary conference sponsored by the University of Chicago, address problems of the changing inner cities of older, industrial metropolitan areas. An introduction reviews important theories of urban development, and the impact of changing technology and racial composition. Part one includes an essay…

One in a series of booklets whose purpose is to stimulate greater and more effective understanding of world affairs among Americans, this seven-chapter report examines the political, economic, and anomalous positions of North and South Korea in the international system. "Traditional Legacies" traces the historical development of the two…

This kit suggests ideas and resources for adult educators and other community workers to use in assisting individuals, groups, and communities to respond effectively to a changing economy. Introductory materials provide the purpose, a note on content arrangement, and suggestions for program methods and program planning. The main portion of the kit…

Describes a two-day field experience in which college-level business and economics students visited businesses and municipal government organizations. Contends that preparatory experiences were essential to the program's success. Concludes that students were more optimistic about the economy and more enthusiastic about their future work in…

Discusses history of United States government programs to ameliorate rural living and economic conditions. Contrasts early successful efforts to improve physical characteristics--road, electricity--with recent lack of success in dealing with intractable problems--unemployment, persistent poverty. Chart of rural development actions outlines rural…

A 4-lesson course on economic effects of population changes in rural small communities, developed for use by extension personnel in Idaho and throughout sparsely-populated areas of the Great Plains and western states, is designed to help community leaders improve their understanding of special economic problems of small communities. Use of the…

Although rural education is entering an era of opportunity in terms of both youth and adult needs, the capacity of rural areas to provide needed educational services may be diminished due to rapid economic and social change, particularly in agriculture. Three federal policies operating over the past two decades have created an unfavorable…