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Our vision is of a rural Scotland where everyone matters: every community, every family, every rural Scot. |
We want to work together to create a rural Scotland:
The steps we take towards this vision in rural Scotland will often differ greatly from what is needed in urban Scotland. We believe that a new approach to thinking about rural Scotland is required - beginning with an acknowledgement of both its strengths and weaknesses, moving on to understanding the issues and how these should be addressed, and setting about tackling the issues in ways which are sensitive to rural circumstances. In doing so, we recognise also that rural Scotland is not a single entity. What works in Lochaber may not work so well in Galloway. So while the principles behind our policies apply across Scotland, the means we use must be tailored to meet the needs of local communities.
In taking forward our vision for rural Scotland, we have identified a number of practical overarching aims which will guide the development and implementation of our policies and programmes. These aims reflect the elements of the vision statement, and are as follows:
Our vision, supporting aims, and the approach which we intend to take to deliver these, reflect our commitment to putting social justice at the heart of Scottish life, in all our communities. In the document "Social Justice: A Scotland where everyone matters", published in November 1999, we set out our ambitious framework for a Scotland with a healthy economy and characterised by social inclusion, fairness and equality of opportunity. By 2020 we want a Scotland where child poverty has been eliminated; with full employment across all of Scotland; and where our older people will be financially secure and active in their communities. In rural areas just as much as in our towns and cities, we want everyone to enjoy the benefits of prosperity.
We recognise that making a real and lasting difference to the lives of all rural Scots requires ideas, commitment and willingness to change not only in the Executive, but among those with an interest in the future vitality and sustainability of our rural communities - national and local agencies, local businesses and, most important of all, local people themselves. Nevertheless, the Executive has a responsibility to provide a lead. Our vision and aims already set out, together with the actions described in the remainder of this document, are a clear statement of the Executive's determination and commitment to play our role in delivering a new and sustainable future for rural Scotland.
Guide to the remainder of this document
In the following chapters, we set out how we are beginning to work towards delivering our vision. Chapters 2-5 take each of the overarching aims as their theme, and provide statements of how, through our policies and taking a new approach, we are contributing towards achieving each aim. In Chapter 6, we describe how we intend to take things forward, working with and involving others, and how we will monitor progress. Appendix 1 provides a profile of rural Scotland, including some key facts and figures which underlie many of the policies and actions described in the earlier chapters. Appendix 2 gives details of the Ministerial Committee on Rural Development, while Appendix 3 lists some relevant documents and contact points.