Program
December 10 (Sunday)
19.00
Arrival at Vuonislahti by train from Joensuu
Sauna
Supper
Get together activities
December 11 (Monday)
8 - 9
[Herraniemi] Breakfast9 - 12
[Vuonislahti School (Activity Center) - Toimintakeskus]
Welcoming by Prof. Erkki Sutinen
Orientation Presentations by Johannes Cronje [abstract] and Lecturer from Helsinki University of Technology Heikki Kukkonen12 - 13
[Vuonislahti School] Lunch13
Trip to Kylänlahti13.30 - 14.30
Introduction to Vuonislahti and Kylänlahti14.30 - 15
Coffee Break15 - 17
Resuming of presentations17
Trip back to Vuonislahti19 - 21
[Vuonislahti Community House - Seurojentalo]
Dinner and Leisure Activities21
[Herraniemi] Sauna
December 12 (Tuesday)
8 - 9
Breakfast9 - 12
Presentation by General Secretary of The Theme Group on Tourism of The Rural Policy Committee, Raija Wirekoski [abstract] [doc]
Workshop and brainstorming in small groups12 - 13
Lunch13 - 14.30
Group activities continue14.30 - 15
Coffee break15 - 16
Closing remarks17 - 18
Train transportation from Vuonislahti to Joensuu18.30 - 20
NEW! Presentation at Network Oasis in Science Park. This event is open for everybody (event for non-participants)
Abstract of Presentation by Johannes Cronje
It's not what WE want, it's what YOU need - Needs analysis in a post-colonial context
First-world researchers often approach developing countries with a "missionary" world vision, believing (for all the right reasons) that they come with good intentions, and that thus their interventions should succeed. Horror stories abound about abandonded projects where a fortune was spent on providing local inhabitants with solutions that they had agreed, would be useful to them. Why?
This paper will consider the digital divide as a point of departure and argue that an intervention designed to enhance global compliance could well deminish local usefulness, and vice versa. We then deal with issues to consider in doing a needs analysis across cultures in a developing country.
Presentation by Marja Wirekoski - Rural Tourism Policy in Finland
The Rural Policy Committee and the Theme Group on Tourism
The Rural Policy Committee was appointed by the Council of State (Government) as a vehicle for co-operation. Its membership comprises officials from various ministries and expert organisations with specialist knowledge of rural policy. The work of the Committee represents new thinking - of a kind that transcends the demarcation lines between sectors of administration - in Finnish rural policy. The task of the Committee is to harmonize rural development measures and promote the efficient use of resources allocated for the countryside.
The Committee appoints theme groups, comprising experts and persons bearing formal responsibility. These theme groups are expected to produce proposals, project plans, statements and submissions in relation to legislation, financing and organisation as well as to make suggestions concerning the development of co-operation, the initiation of research and how to connect the various problems of their area into the totality of planning.
In 1994, with the purpose of promoting the overall development of rural tourism, the Committee appointed a Theme group on (Rural) Tourism, comprising representatives of various sectors of administration, interest organisations and expert bodies. Its term will run until the end of year 2008.
Tasks of the Theme Group on Tourism
1. Strategy: To draft a long-range rural tourism strategy and action programme in collaboration with enterprises, development organisations and other active parties in the sector.
2. Collaboration: To promote wide-ranging collaboration both with other sectors of rural development (horizontally) and with the whole field of tourism (vertically), to build and maintain contacts and networks.
3. Communication: To take care of communication between local, regional and national levels of development; to refine statistical material on the sector for use in practical development projects; and to assist in compiling the sections of EU programmes which are relevant to rural tourism.
4. Efficiency in marketing: To advance co-operation in both domestic and international marketing of rural tourism.
5. Know-how: To assist in the compilation of tools for marketing, quality management and price setting; to seek actively for enhanced or novel solutions for deeper learning throughout the network of parties involved.
6. Stability: To support and strengthen the existing stable structures and networks; to encourage institutes of tourism education to integrate training of entrepreneurs within their programmes; and to encourage marketing organizations to take a greater responsibility for product development.
7. Initiative: To launch, as necessary, national development projects for rural tourism; to produce proposals and initiatives for solving problems affecting rural tourism.
Goals Set by the Theme Group on Tourism
Rural tourism is a form of entrepreneurship which is based on the intrinsic resources of the countryside: nature, scenery, culture, and people. The foundation of rural tourism lies in small and family companies and in a customer-driven approach.
Rural tourism may manifest itself in many kinds of tourism services, provided that they are produced in the countryside. It may involve activities based on the nature and culture, food and accommodation services, holidays in the wilderness, on farms, in cabins or in campsites, or even extramural school weeks. The terms used in sales and marketing or in product names do not necessarily refer directly to countryside, but may focus on activities, for instance.
By increasing development efforts both quantitatively and qualitatively, rural tourism can be made into a substantial source of employment and income throughout the Finnish countryside.
The current ten-year vision of rural tourism in Finland states that at the end of the period the tourism industry in the countryside will be an active and important part of tourism industry and of the versatile entrepreneurship in the countryside, but will be guided by the solid values of countryside and sustainability. Rural tourism thrives on developing and selling competitive tourism and recreation services which are recognized as safe and reliable. The content and strengths of these services emerge from the diversity of cultural heritage, the cycle of seasons, good quality, safety, the clean countryside environment, and from the competence of entrepreneurs to bring together these factors. Sales and marketing of the services will be organized as an efficient and close co-operation between local, regional and nation-wide operators. The services will be offered to the clientele under various themes, and latest technologies will be put to use in sales. The production chain of rural tourism will be recognized from constant improvement of competence.
How the Theme Group Works
Tourism is being actively developed in the various regions of Finland, as an aspect of general development of rural enterprises and livelihoods. Taking advantage of regional projects in a more comprehensive manner than at present and adopting systematic planning that embraces the whole country will add effectiveness to development efforts. Regional projects are being dovetailed with the national rural tourism strategy. A clear division of labour is being drawn between regional development and those tasks that could be more rationally implemented through broader co-operation or on the national level.
The theme group publishes the bulletin "MaaseutuMatkailu" (Rural Tourism) and spreads information by other publications, the Internet, and mailed/e-mailed communications. Other highly visible activities include participating in negotiations, arranging lectures and workshops and having an active role in events related to rural tourism.
So far, the theme group has built up co-operation with projects supporting rural tourism and its development and has launched and guided many projects designed to back up this strategy. The co-operation network is being further expanded to include regional rural tourism schemes, rural development organisations and regional action groups.
Additional Information:
Theme Group on Tourism
General Secretary Raija Wirekoski
Sortavalankatu 4, FIN-80200 JOENSUU, FINLAND
gsm +358-50-3560897, e-mail raija.wirekoski@pkamk.fi
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