Rural areas around the world face problems stemming from the globalization of agricultural and other markets, the resulting competitiveness for existing and shifting markets, loss of population, and consequent decline of economic and social infrastructure. Rural communities need to develop the ability to manage change, and this requires engaging…

The Centre for Research and Learning in Regional Australia is investigating the elements of social capital and developing a set of indicators that show when social capital is building. The indicators can be used where groups or organizations with a shared purpose engage in productive interactions that benefit not only the individual member groups…

The rural primary school in Brazil could make important contributions to rural development through its potential to involve adults (parents) in democratic group decisions. The system as it now stands, however, is rigidly hierarchical and allows no space for participation of low income groups in upper-echelon decision making. (Author/GC)

The second in a series of interviews with Appalachian citizens, this article presents a Pennsylvania vocational-technical school counselor's responses re: students, their abilities, and their highly positive attitudes; his program and its place in the community and career education; and the economic status of Monaca, Pennsylvania. (SB)

Brazil's Yanomamo Indians seem doomed to extinction by a government policy that seeks to develop and exploit their ancestral lands. This article describes the health, economic, and cultural dangers confronting the Yanomamo and discusses a proposed 16 million acre park to protect them from non-Indian encroachment. (DS)

A public water line built in 1992 in rural Casey County, Kentucky, has spawned economic growth and allowed children at 2 elementary schools and a foster home, and residents of 110 private homes to have clean, drinkable water. The Appalachian Regional Commission has assisted hundreds of counties in improving their water or sewage treatment…

Canadians identify education as key to economic opportunity and advancement, yet rural areas experience teacher shortages, school closings, and extended transportation times. A growing native population in the North needs teachers with cultural and linguistic qualifications. Advantages of rural areas are close communities, good school-community…

Discusses the need for community and technical colleges to act as active transfer agents providing access to rapidly changing technological information for rural businesses and their workers. Identifies common barriers to cooperation between research universities and industry, and offers advice on surmounting them. (SV)

Reviews gradual transition of rural vocational education from agricultural to industrial model, responding to societal change. Examines rural vocational education participation and its responsiveness to changes in technology and labor demands. Examines secondary and two-year postsecondary vocational education models as ways to serve rural economic…

Examines six federal programs offering direct credit assistance to nonfarm businesses in nonmetropolitan areas, 1983-89. The Small Business Loans Program provided 72% of funds. Nonmetropolitan areas overall received federal credit assistance proportional to nonmetro percentage of national population, but assistance was disproportionately low in…

A severe drought precipitated systematic documentation of farmers' field trials in the farmer-to-farmer extension service in Bolivia. Successful agricultural experiments and seminars on agronomic practices and on data recording and analysis increased farmer self-confidence; developed awareness of literacy and numeracy educational needs; and…

Describes the general situation of information services in rural public libraries in the context of the changing nature of rural America. Highlights include the development of rural communities and libraries; public expectations and information needs; barriers to information access; and examples of successful rural reference services. (Contains 31…

Rural Josephine County, Oregon, used federal Enterprise Community funds to revitalize its communities. The elementary school serves as a hub, sharing resources with a parenting and preschool center, a coalition of 26 service providers, and the Enterprise Community organization. Describes how communities cooperate in providing adult education,…

Discusses the Rural Community College Initiative (RCCI), a Ford Foundation-funded project involving 24 community and tribal colleges. Describes RCCI's progress towards its goal of transforming rural economies and the prospects of their people. Concludes that through participation in RCCI, colleges can help revitalize communities. (NB)

I examine the concept of the community field to identify the structures, elements, and processes that generate improved capacity for community action. I conduct analysis of interlocking leadership among local organizations and recent community action in three Midwestern communities to determine the structure and attributes of the community field.…