RDEV40150

This module is designed to provide participants with an understanding of the national and international context within which policies relevant to sustainable agriculture and rural development (SARD) are framed; to identify the key institutions and actors at various levels of governance that are relevant to the development and implementation of SARD-related policies; to identify the main strategies used to enable SARD and critique these strategies in terms of delivering balanced and sustainable development in Irish, EU and developing country scenarios. The course will enable students to:- Understand the nature and importance of agriculture and rural area development in Ireland, the EU and in the Developing world- Identify and analyse the key drivers of change affecting agriculture and rural development with particular emphasis on public policies and programmes - Recognise the outcomes associated with change processes in rural areas including characteristics of poverty and deprivation.- Understand the dimensions of rural livelihoods within the framework of sustainable development and in particular the institutional arrangements that govern agricultural and rural development at the local, national and international levels.- Analyse the main strategies used in agricultural and rural development in Ireland/EU and in the Developing World- Understand the main ethical issues associated with agricultural and rural development interventions