rural

OSCE promotes ‘green’ women’s entrepreneurship in rural areas of Kazakhstan

The fourth in a series of five OSCE-supported training seminars for women entrepreneurs working in the field of green technology started on 29 July 2016 in Arnasai village, Central Kazakhstan.

The training seminar, organized by the OSCE Programme Office in Astana in close co-operation with the Coalition for Green Economy and G-Global Development brought together some 20 participants from rural areas of the Central Kazakhstan region to raise their awareness on the use of modern green technologies in effective horticulture, such as energy and water-saving methods, drip irrigation, solar greenhouses and vermicultivation.

“We believe that the role of women in promoting green businesses in the rural areas is crucial and enormous. This is due to the fact that most of them are involved in agriculture and household management activities, which nowadays remain one of the few opportunities to support the family and community in remote regions,” said György Szabó, Head of the OSCE Programme Office in Astana. “Thus, the Office stands ready to provide its continuous expert support to such initiatives aiming at better information- and technology-sharing.”

The event is part of the Office’s multi-year efforts to promote green growth, environmental security and women’s empowerment in economic activities.

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rural

Rural demand, government spending to drive growth in second half of FY25: ICICI Report

India's economic growth in the second half of this financial year will be driven by rural demand and government spending. The rural economy is gaining momentum. Consumer durables and non-durables are showing strong performance. The manufacturing sector is also exhibiting growth. However, there are signs of a slowdown in industrial growth.




rural

Potholes still hurting rural roads after £500m spend

Deteriorating conditions of rural roads are affecting journeys, a transport provider says.




rural

Firefighters in rural Yukon say their gear is in desperate state, fire marshal's office underfunded

The Association of Yukon Fire Chiefs says the government of Yukon needs to invest more money in the Yukon Fire Marshal's Office so it can continue to adequately support the territory's fire services.



  • News/Canada/North

rural

What to expect from the rural and remote medicine conference on P.E.I. this month

Dr. Declan Fox speaks with CBC News: Compass host Louise Martin about the conference, and some of the issues facing rural health care.




rural

Blinded by Circumstance: Trachoma’s Stranglehold on Kenya’s Rural Pastoralists

Draped in the vibrant red of his Maasai shuka, 52-year-old Rumosiroi Ole Mpoke sits cross-legged on a worn cowhide mat outside his hut, his face etched with a sorrow deeper than the lines of age. His once-sharp eyes, now clouded by trachoma, can barely make out the shadows of the cattle he once tended with […]




rural

Centre releases ₹266.8 crore under 15th Finance Commission grants for rural local bodies in Kerala

Allocation represents second instalment of untied grants for 2024-25, and is meant for all eligible district panchayats, block panchayats and gram panchayats in Kerala




rural

DPD Poland gets closer to its customers, providing 24/7 convenience in cities and rural areas

DPD Poland has now installed more than 8,000 SwipBox Infinity lockers in its nationwide network of 30,000 pickup points and lockers. By the end of 2024, another 1,000 lockers will be installed.




rural

Bank Runs in Rural China


Bank runs are bad. They're bad enough to bring down governments. There's been a slow-motion bank run in rural China for several months, and people are starting to get concerned that the "contagion" could spread.

In the anatomy of an economic crisis, a bank run is the point of no return.

Bank runs occur when people scramble to withdraw cash from banks in fear of collapse. In the worst cases, banks' liquid cash reserves are exhausted, not everyone gets their money and the bank defaults. ...

In recent years it has become clear the Chinese people are losing faith in their financial institutions. There's been anger over harsh COVID lockdowns in Shanghai recently, while the collapse of China Evergrande saw rare public demonstrations as residents faced the prospect of losing their life savings used as deposits for housing. ...

Multiple sources contacted by Asia Markets, have confirmed deposits at the following six banks have been frozen since mid-April.

  • Yuzhou Xinminsheng Village Bank (located in Xuchang City, Henan Province)
  • Zhecheng Huanghuai Bank (City of Shangqui, Henan Province)
  • Shangcai Huimin Rural Bank (Zhumadian City, Henan Province)
  • New Oriental Village Bank (City of Kaifeng, Henan Province)
  • Huaihe River Village Bank (Bengbu City, Anhui Province)
  • Yixian County Village Bank (Huangshan City, Anhui Province)

It's understood the banks with branches across the Henan and Anhui Provinces successively issued announcements in April, stating they would suspend online banking and mobile banking services due to a system upgrade.

At the same time, clients reported their electronic deposits in online accounts, mobile apps and third-party platforms could not be withdrawn.

This led to depositors rushing to local bank branches, only to be told they were unable to withdraw funds.

It looks like the bank failures are due to fraud and corruption -- bank managers simply stole the money. Hopefully this corruption isn't widespread and the problem can be contained.





rural

Avatel, MasOrange and Adamo awarded bulk of Spain rural fibre funding

(Telecompaper) Spanish rural broadband providers Adamo and Avatel as well as MasOrange have secured the majority of the funds made available under the government's Unico Broadband 2024 call...




rural

'I'm called exotic for being black in a rural town'

Nyarai moved to Carmarthenshire when she was 13 and felt "very different" in a white, rural area.




rural

The 88-year-old lorry driver building a rural care home

Alongside a team of volunteers, Rosemary Stevenson has raised £1.5m to fund care for older people in Ballantrae.




rural

Vehicles seized in rural crime crackdown

Police say a trailer was among the stolen items seized by officers during the operation.




rural

Factors Influencing the Decision to Choose Information Technology Preparatory Studies in Secondary Schools: An Exploratory Study in Regional/Rural Australia




rural

Technology and Marginalization: A Case Study of the Limited Adoption of the Intranet at a State-owned Organization in Rural Australia




rural

Information Access for Development: A Case Study at a Rural Community Centre in South Africa




rural

Uniting Idaho:  A Small Newspaper Serves Hispanic Populations in Distributed Rural Areas




rural

Economic Upliftment and Social Development through the Development of Digital Astuteness in Rural Areas

One of the key attempts towards a collective African vision is the New Economic Partnership for African Development (NEPAD). Barnard and Vonk (2003) report that “53 countries have been urged to implement ICTs in three crucial development arenas: education, health and trade”. While NEPAD and other initiatives have contributed to the provision of ICT infrastructure with positive results as seen in the growth of Internet uses, the disparities in development across Africa are enormous. The challenge to Higher Education Institutions in Africa has been summarised by Colle (2005): “central to creating digital resources and academic infrastructure is the question of universities’ relevance to the world around them, and especially to the challenge of being an active player – ‘an anchor of a broad-based poverty alleviation strategy’ in an increasingly knowledge-based economy”. It can be inferred from Colle that the activities of HEIs in Africa ought to be geared towards contributing to the realisation of the Millennium development goals.




rural

The Impact of a University Experience Program on Rural and Regional Secondary School Students: Keeping the Flame Burning

Aim/Purpose: The uptake of university by regional students has been problematic for various reasons. This paper discusses a program, initiated by a South Australian regional university campus, aimed at attracting regional students into higher education. Background: A qualitative descriptive approach to study was used to determine the value of the program on participating students and school staff. Year 10 students from Roxby Downs, Port Augusta and Port Lincoln high schools were invited to participate in a two-day regionally-focussed school-university engagement program that linked students with the university campus and local employers. Methodology: A survey was administered to determine the impact of the program. Perceptions about the program by school staff were gathered using a modified One-Minute Harvard questionnaire. While 38 Year 10 students and 5 school staff members participated, 37 students and 3 staff evaluated the program. Findings: The findings revealed that the majority of the students would like to attend university, but financial and social issues were important barriers. The students learned about the regional university, what it can offer in terms of programs and support, and the employment prospect following university. The school staff benefited by developing a closer relationship with students and becoming better informed about the regional university. Recommendation for Practitioners: One way by which university uptake may be increased is to provide similar immersion programs featuring engagement with employers, our recommendation to other regional universities. In increasing the levels of education, individuals, communities and the society in general are benefited.




rural

Towards a Framework on the Use of Infomediaries in Maternal mHealth in Rural Malawi

Aim/Purpose: The aim of the study is to explore factors that affect how healthcare clients in rural areas use infomediaries in maternal mHealth interventions. The study focuses on maternal healthcare clients who do not own mobile phones but use the mHealth intervention. Background: Maternal mHealth interventions in poor-resource settings are bedevilled by inequalities in mobile phone ownership. Clients who do not own mobile phones risk being excluded from benefiting from the interventions. Some maternal mHealth providers facilitate the access of mobile phones for those who do not own them using “infomediaries”. Infomediaries, in this case, refer to individuals who have custody of mobile phones that other potential beneficiaries may use. However, the use of infomediaries to offer access to the “have nots” may be influenced by a number of factors. Methodology: The study uses a case of a maternal mHealth intervention project in Malawi, as well as a qualitative research method and interpretive paradigm. Data was collected using secondary data from the implementing agency, semi-structured interviews, and focus group discussions. Empirical data was collected from maternal healthcare clients who do not own mobile phones and infomediaries. Data were analysed inductively using thematic analysis. Contribution: The study proposed a theoretical framework for studying infomediaries in ICT4D. The study may inform mHealth designers, implementers, and policymakers on how infomediaries could be implemented in a rural setting. Consequently, understanding the factors that affect the use of infomediaries may inform mHealth intervention implementers on how they could overcome the challenges by implementing mHealth interventions that reduce the challenges on the mHealth infomediaries side, and the maternal healthcare clients’ side. Findings: Characteristics of the maternal healthcare client, characteristics of the mHealth infomediary, perceived value of mHealth intervention, and socio-environmental factors affect maternal healthcare clients’ use of mHealth infomediaries. Recommendations for Practitioners: Implementers of interventions ought to manage the use of infomediaries to avoid volunteer fatigue and infomediaries who may not be compatible with the potential users of the intervention. Implementers could leverage traditional systems of identifying and using infomediaries instead of reinventing the wheel. Recommendation for Researchers: This research adopted a single case study to develop the theoretical framework for mHealth infomediary use. We recommend future studies are conducted in order to test and develop this framework further, not only in ICT4D, but also in other areas of application. Impact on Society: People still lack access. The lack of ownership of technology may still exclude them from participating in an information society. The use of infomediaries may help to provide access to technologies to those who do not have them thereby bridging the digital divide gap. Future Research: We propose herein that traditional systems may offer a good starting point for designing a system that would work for communities. We, therefore, recommend that future research may explore these possibilities.




rural

Modeling the Predictors of M-Payments Adoption for Indian Rural Transformation

Aim/Purpose: The last decade has witnessed a tremendous progression in mobile penetration across the world and, most importantly, in developing countries like India. This research aims to investigate and analyze the factors influencing the adoption of mobile payments (M-payments) in the Indian rural population. This, in turn, would bring about positive changes in the lives of people in these countries. Background: A conceptual framework was worked upon using UTAUT as a foundation, which included constructs, namely, facilitating conditions, social influences, performance expectancy, and effort expectancy. The model was further extended by incorporating the awareness construct of m-payments to make it more comprehensive and to understand behavioral intentions and usage behavior for m-payments in rural India. Methodology: A questionnaire-based study was conducted to collect primary data from 410 respondents residing in rural areas in the state of Punjab. Convenience sampling was conducted to collect the data. Structural equation modeling was used to conduct statistical analysis, including exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. Contribution: A new conceptual model for M-payments adoption in rural India was developed based on the study’s findings. Using the findings of the study, marketers, policymakers, and academicians can gain insight into the factors that motivate the rural population to use M-payments. Findings: The study has found that M-payment Awareness (AW) is the strongest factor within the proposed model for deeper diffusion of M-payments in rural areas in the state of Punjab. Performance expectancy (PE), effort expectancy (EE), social influences (SI), and facilitating conditions (FC) are also positively and significantly related to behavioral intentions for using M-payments among the Indian rural population in the state of Punjab. Recommendations for Practitioners: M-payments are emerging as a new mode of transactions among the Indian masses. The government needs to play a pivotal role in advocating the benefits linked with the usage of M-payments by planning financial literacy and awareness campaigns, promoting transparency and accountability of the intermediaries, and reducing transaction costs of using M-payments. Mobile manufacturing companies should come up with devices that are easy to use and incorporate multilanguage mobile applications, especially for rural areas, as India is a multi-lingual country. A robust regulatory framework will not only shape consumer trust but also prevent privacy breaches. Recommendation for Researchers: It is recommended that a comparative study among different M-payment platforms be conducted by exploring constructs such as usefulness and ease of use. However, the vulnerability of data leakage may result in insecurity and skepticism about its adoption. Impact on Society: India’s rural areas have immense potential for adoption of M-payments. Appropriate policies, awareness drives, and necessary infrastructure will boost faster and smoother adoption of M-payments in rural India to thrive in the digital economy. Future Research: The adapted model can be further tested with moderating factors like age, gender, occupation, and education to understand better the complexities of M-payments, especially in rural areas of India. Additionally, cross-sectional studies could be conducted to evaluate the behavioral intentions of different sections of society.




rural

Can E- Commerce Enable Marketing in an African Rural Women's Community Based Development Organization?




rural

Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change in Urban Areas and their Rural Surroundings: Linkages between science, policy and practice

The Europena Conference "Nature-based Solutions to Climate Change  in Urban Areas and their Rural Surroundings: Linkages between science, policy and practice" will take place from 17 to 19 November 2015 in Bonn, Germany.

The event is a joint European Conference held by the German Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN) and the European Network of Heads of Nature Conservation Agencies (ENCA) in co-operation with the Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research (UFZ) / German Centre for Integrative Biodiversity Research (iDiv).

Climate change has significant impact on society and biodiversity in Europe. Urban inhabitants are most likely to experience climate change effects directly because currently 73 per cent of Europeans live in urban areas. Here, management of urban ecosystems offer sustainable and cost-effective solutions to climate change mitigation and adaptation while contributing to human well-being.

This European conference will bring together experts from science, policy and practice to highlight and debate the importance of nature-based solutions to climate change in urban areas and their rural surroundings. Emphasize is given to the potential of nature-based approaches to create multiple-benefits.

The conference is divided into three main areas (day 1: science, day 2: practice and implementation, day 3: policy and business), each of which will be opened by keynote speakers including:

  • Hans Bruyninckx (Executive Director European Environmental Agency, EEA)
  • Wilhelm Krull (Chair of the H2020 expert group on nature-based solutions and re-naturing cities, Secretary General Volkswagen Foundation)
  • Georgina Mace (University College London – UCL, Director of Centre for Biodiversity and Environment Research)
  • Christine Wamsler (Lund University, Centre for Sustainability Studies)
  • Nataša Jazbinšek (Head of Department for Environmental Protection City of Ljubljana and Head of working group for European Green Capital programme 2016)
  • Wolfgang Teubner (ICLEI Regional Director for Europe)
  • Kurt Vandenberghe (Director for Climate action and resource efficiency at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Research and Innovation)
  • Chantal van Ham (IUCN – EU Programme Manager Nature Based Solutions)
  • Dirk Sijmons (Delft University of Technology)

Keynote speeches are complemented by plenary presentations given by leading experts in the fields of urban biodiversity, climate change, and socio-economic effects of nature-based solutions, interactive sessions and a poster exhibition.

Deadline for abstract submission is 24 July 2015 (abstract submission guidelines)

Registration:

Early bird registration deadline: 18 September 2015

Final registration deadline: 30 October 2015

For more information and to register please visit: http://www.ecbcc2015.com/





rural

Scottish government creates rural social enterprise hub

As well as creating the hub with a £27,000 grant, the government has given out 17 grants totalling £1m to charities and social enterprises













rural

UniSA Research Gives Voice to Rural People in Palliative Care

Supporting a loved one as they near the end of their life can be confronting. Palliative care is there to help but such services are not equally accessible to all Australians, particularly those in rural areas.




rural

UniSA Research Gives Voice to Rural People in Palliative Care

Supporting a loved one as they near the end of their life can be confronting. Palliative care is there to help but such services are not equally accessible to all Australians, particularly those in rural areas.




rural

Colorado Rural Health Center Releases 2022 Snapshot of Rural Health

Colorado Rural Health Center Snapshot of Rural Health Explores Demographics, Population Health, Education, Economy, COVID-19, and more.




rural

Colorado Rural Health Center Releases 2022 Annual Report

The report highlights a year of accomplishments and innovation for the State Office of Rural Health




rural

Colorado Rural Health Center Celebrates National Rural Health Day with Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center

The Colorado Rural Health Center celebrated by the member facility in Walsenburg, CO as an example of the value of rural facilities across the state.




rural

Colorado Rural Health Center Partners with Colorado Cancer Screening Program to Increase Colorectal Cancer Screening Across Rural Colorado

In recognition of March being Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, CRHC is highlighting the the partnership with Colorado Cancer Screening Program (CCSP) of the University of Colorado which aims to identify and correct the causes of low screening rates




rural

XpertDox Teams Up with QuickVisit Urgent Care to Automate Medical Coding by Leveraging AI in Rural Clinics

XpertDox Partners with QuickVisit Urgent Care to Enhance Medical Coding Efficiency with AI-Powered Medical Coding Software




rural

Colorado Rural Health Center Releases 2024 Snapshot of Rural Health

Colorado Rural Health Center Snapshot of Rural Health Explores Demographics, Population Health, Chronic Disease, Oral Health, and More





rural

Paysage rural automnal à Padoue

Cette image aérienne capture un paysage rural baigné de lumière, où les vastes champs verts et dorés s’étendent à perte de vue, ponctués par quelques fermes et des routes sinueuses. À l’horizon, les collines se teintent des couleurs flamboyantes de l’automne, un dégradé de rouge, jaune et orange contrastant avec l’azur éclatant du ciel. Des...




rural

Global Study Reveals Urban Areas Receive Significantly More Rainfall Than Rural Neighbors

How does an urban environment influence its rainfall? This is what a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences hopes to



  • Earth & The Environment

rural

Global Study Reveals Urban Areas Receive Significantly More Rainfall Than Rural Neighbors

How does an urban environment influence its rainfall? This is what a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences hopes to




rural

[ENVS Lecture Series] A Rural Agrarian Reckoning: Multigenerational Farmers Seeking to Repair Soil, Agriculture, and Rural America Itself

Nov 21, 2024, 12pm EST

Sydney Giacalone, doctoral candidate in anthropology at Brown University, researches multigenerational farmers and ranchers across the U.S. who are transitioning away from conventional practices towards environmentally and social repairing approaches. This experience often involves questioning past education and internalized ideologies and learning to collaborate with nonhuman life to repair degraded ecologies. Join Giacaloneto learn more about her research.

BuildingCurtis Hall
Campus Location: Medford/Somerville campus
City: Medford, MA 02155
Campus: Medford/Somerville campus
Location Details: Curtis Hall Multipurpose Room (474 Boston Ave., Medford, MA)
Wheelchair Accessible (for in-person events): Yes
Open to Public: Yes
Primary Audience(s): Alumni and Friends
Event Type: Academic Date/Deadline, Lecture/Presentation/Seminar/Talk
Event Sponsor Details: Environmental Studies Program
Event Contact Name: Sinet Kroch
Event Contact Emailsinet.kroch@tufts.edu
RSVP Information: RSVP only needed for virtual attendants
More infotufts.zoom.us…



  • 2024/11/21 (Thu)

rural

Reflections on rural revitalization from a global perspective [in Chinese]




rural

Towards 2035: Common Prosperity and Urban-Rural Poverty Management System [in Chinese]

In 2021, General Secretary Xi Jinping solemnly declared that China's poverty alleviation battle has achieved a comprehensive victory. However, there is still a long way to go to solve the problem of unbalanced and insufficient development, narrow the development gap between urban and rural areas, and achieve comprehensive human development and common prosperity for all people.




rural

Integrated urban-rural development and common prosperity: Connotation, international experience and implementation path [in Chinese]

Since the 18th National Congress of the Communist Party of China, China’s economicdevelopment has entered a new stage. Under the circumstances, the goal of “Common Prosperity” has attracted more and more attention over the past several years. China’s long-term implementation of urban-biased policies led to a huge gap between urban and rural areas for a long time and hindered the realization of common prosperity.