R2R 2020

WELCOME TO RURAL TALKS TO RURAL 2020 (R2R20) - a virtual conference about the many ways to see our world.

In these times there is reason to take heart. The more chaotic and complicated the world around us appears, the more challenges we face, the more we find our purpose in our friendships across many divides. R2R20 will bring people together, once again, from across the County, the Country and beyond our borders. The R2R belief remains – that a good idea in King’s County, Nova Scotia can be shared and be a good idea in Clinton, Ontario, or in the Qu’appelle Valley in Saskatchewan – or almost anywhere else.

We are pleased to be co-producing R2R20 with our friends at the GODERICH TO GUELPH RAIL TRAIL - and to have the good folks at LIBRO CREDIT UNION as our Lead Partner.

The structure over the two weeks will have an hour session at lunch and then a couple of hours in the evening.

‘This Rural Life’ – is a noon hour session – noon-1pm - 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/Workshops/Keynotes will run between 6.30-8.30-pm ET each day of the week 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 in the gig economy; explore Food Security, and the impact of COVID on our healthcare 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 also on the R2R evening 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, our only weekend date - is on November 28th, the last half day of the conference from 9am-2pm - devoted to our environment and the ways we can get involved to leave the campsite better than we found it.

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? We encourage delegates to make their own video and add it to the gallery. The videos will be made available to all guests for the run of R2R20 leading to the Libro People’s Choice Awards on Nov. 28.

+ We have TWO VIRTUAL ART GALLERY showings…

ENDS OF THE EARTH is a presentation of art from the East Coast of Canada, brought to us by ArtWorks East+the Mulgrave Road Theatre Company in Guysborough, Nova Scotia.

I’LL TELL YOU THE REST LATER is a collection of unique rural images from the interior of British Columbia - featuring the work of playwright/photographer Kelly Rebar. (We are using one of Kelly’s photographs as our lead image for R2R20)

+ 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 – or offer your thoughts on what the future looks like to you.

+ THE VIRTUAL COMMUNITY LUNCH on November 28th – recipe and how-to-make video provided by Chef James Eddington of Eddington’s of Exeter will close R2R20.

The only thing missing is you – so jump aboard. It’ll be good to have your imagination, creativity, as a part of the proceedings.