14-17 October 1999, Wageningen, The Netherlands

15 October is World Rural Women's Day. This year, the four-day international conference, 'Gender and Rural Transformations in Europe: Past, Present and Future Prospects' will focus on rural women and gender issues in agriculture and rural development across Europe. The conference represents the first time in history that people from Eastern and Central Europe and from Western Europe (North and South) will come together to discuss gender in rural transformation processes throughout the region in 14 paper sessions presenting a total of some 75 academic papers. This conference will also overstep the traditional boundaries of academia. Not only will scientific researchers present and discuss their work: development practitioners from ministries, international and regional development organisations, and NGOs will also be present, discussing and exchange experiences, problems and ideas with each other and with the scientists. There will be special presentations, eight round tables, various practitioner exchange sessions and ample room for ad hoc sessions to meet this end. Special workshops at the end of the conference give the opportunity to scientists, practitioners and policy-makers to advance networking and co-operation throughout Europe.

At the Conference, the World Women's Summit Foundation will present the European Rural Women's Award, for 'Women's creativity in rural life'. In addition, a stimulating menu of social activities and excursions will provide ample opportunities for participants to enjoy fall in the Netherlands while learning more about rural women's lives and work.

The full Conference programme, including abstracts, further information about visas, money exchange, transportation and hotels, as well as registration forms and updates, can be found on the conference web site.

Please note the deadline for registration and payment of fees of 1 September 1999.

For further information on the conference, write to Margreet van der Burg at the address below.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROGRAMME

Paper Sessions
Papers will be presented in parallel sessions. Chairs and participants will be invited to discuss. Themes are as follows:

I. GENDER IN RURAL HOUSEHOLDS, LIVELIHOODS AND ECONOMIES
This theme deals with the gender dimensions of socio-economic change East and West related to globalisation, privatisation and structural reforms, and to the so-called unintended 'engendered' consequences of these trends and policies. It includes macro-level policies and economics, and meso-and micro-levels of regional economies and rural households. The gender dimensions of political and economic responses to these changes are addressed: how rural men and women strive for, contest and assimilate new regulations and economic conditions through active participation in interest organisations and in everyday decision-making.

I.A. Transition, Rural Restructuring, and Gendered Opportunities and Constraints
The sub-theme sessions focus on macro-level rural transition and restructuring processes, their gendered effects, the problems rural women and men face, and the way they cope with these developments in the different regions and contexts of Europe.

I.B. Gender in Rural Development Policies and Politics
Women are very active in developing rural Europe at household and community levels, but are generally excluded from politics and policy making. The papers in these sessions explore women's dynamic roles and gender relations in rural development, contrasting them with the politics of structural exclusion at national and regional levels.

II. GENDER, RURAL CULTURES AND SPACES
This theme deals with a broader concept of rural welfare, including culture, identities and living and working spaces. It deals with changing cultural identities associated with gender in rurality including the redefinition of ideologies and relations within rural households and other cultural institutions based upon age, ethnicity and class. It is also concerned with the repercussions of these changes in terms of inclusion and exclusion in all respects. It addresses redefinitions of rural living and working spaces, and the influence of changing gender and property relations on continuity of family farms.

II.A: Culture, Identity, Life Chances and Choices
The sessions in this theme focus on the relations between rural transformations and the identities and life chances and choices of rural women and men, broaching cultural constructions of femininity and masculinity, feminism, and women's self-identity. They explore how women differently respond at different stages of the life cycle, in different times and rural settings, and with diverse rural livelihood strategies, impinge on quality of life and living conditions, including the costs of dramatic changes in terms of mental health and well-being.

II.B: Rural Space and Property
Sessions are concerned with the construction of gender identities in different places such as homes and rural areas, and with the ways in which rural men and women access and transfer property and resources from one generation to the other, including women's influence on continuity and change on family farms.

Round Tables
Round Tables will address emerging issues that require greater emphasis and attention on the part of scientists, policy makers and the development community. Coordinators will chair panel discussions, where panelists will make short presentations and discuss or debate topics with each other and with the audience.

Exchange Sessions: Practitioners Present
Exchange sessions explicitly permit development practitioners to present papers, videos and other information to stimulate discussion and debate on the practical dimensions of promoting change in rural gender relations throughout Europe. Practitioners will chair sessions and present findings, whereas scientists and other members of the audience will be invited to comment and discuss.

Keynote Speakers
Renowned women from the academic and development community have been invited to present opening keynote speeches. Keynote speakers and opening addresses will be announced no later than 1 August, 1999, on the conference web site.