FROM THE CANADIAN CENTRE FOR RURAL CREATIVITY, October 28, 2020 – Offering an amazing lineup of guests/presenters with workshops, story circles, keynote address, and even a virtual lunch, R2R20 will bring people together, once again, from across the County, the Country and beyond our borders to imagine the future of rural.
Welcome to Rural Talks to Rural 2020 – a conference about the many ways of seeing our world – co-produced by the CCRC and Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail Inc., and taking place November 16 to 28.
R2R began with a conversation wondering what a conference would look like with rural people talking to other rural people about what was going on in their community. From that conversation it has grown from a local event to an international one – with rural people coming in from around the corner and from the world to share ideas and deepen the conversation on and about rural.
R2R20 is going to be virtual this year and we are excited to be co-producing the conference with the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail Charity (G2G). The G2G story is like many rural stories – it began simply as an idea – and through dialogue, with people from different walks and talks, a vision was created.
There have been challenges along the way but through it all the folks at the G2G listened and they adapted, and they grew a groundswell of volunteers. And through all of the change they have continued to connect to people, to rural communities, with a social, cultural, and physical infrastructure project that impacts the health and wellbeing, of so many.
The G2G Rail Trail Experience is a project for next generations and it’s also something to be enjoyed right now. Co-producing R2R with them is an opportunity to share the journey with another rural institution that has proven itself a builder toward inclusive, sustainable, and healthy rural communities.
What’s happening at R2R20?
‘This Rural Life’ – Noon-1 pm session weekdays during the conference with folks from across Canada talking arts, local government, entrepreneurship, the future of rural tourism, the necessity of rural broadband, and there will be sessions on agriculture, wellness, and rural media.
The Evening Panels – Run between 6.30-8.30 pm ET and will include workshops, a story circle, rural research from across Canada and the globe, what’s going on with agricultural technology and investment.
We will take a look at the challenges and opportunities of the gig economy, explore Food Security, and the impact of COVID on our health care workers. There will also be a discussion following a presentation by the University of Guelph on an extensive Huron/Perth Covid survey.
What’s happening with AI and our connection to technology is on the R2R menu in two workshops, and there is a panel looking at wicked problems, and a crowd taking a run at the future of rural.
LIBRO SATURDAY – November 28th – 9 am-1:30 pm is a day about community/environment/climate action.
VALUE ADD:
END OF THE LANE CONVERSATIONS – 2-3 minute videos from Canadians living in this unique time answering the questions: how are you now? And what does the future look like to you? Videos available to delegates for the run of R2R20 leading to the Libro People’s Awards on Nov. 28.
TWO VIRTUAL ART GALLERIES: ENDS OF THE EARTH virtual art gallery from ArtWorks/Mulgrave Road Theatre in Guysborough, Nova Scotia, and I’LL TELL YOU THE REST LATER with images from the interior of BC featuring the work of playwright/photographer Kelly Rebar will also be on display.
THE FRIDAY SHINDIG – November 27th – hosted by our good friends at Cowbell Brewery is a time to network while enjoying a beverage – maybe listen to some music – and perhaps you might want to step up at the SPEAKER’S CORNER to talk about your experience at R2R20 – what thoughts you have for us moving forward.
THE VIRTUAL COMMUNITY LUNCH on November 28th – recipe and how-to video provided by Chef James Eddington of Eddington’s of Exeter will close R2R20.
If you’d like more information about the Canadian Centre for Rural Creativity, please check out: http://www.ruralcreativity.org/
To register for the Rural Talks to Rural 2020 Conference, click here!
For more information on the G2G go to g2grailtrail.com
Community Futures Huron is very happy to be able to assist the R2R20 Conference as one of the sponsors of the event.
