BACKGROUND
Rural Parliament of Estonian Villages is a biennial forum that brings together village people and representatives of local and international organisations, authorities and decision-makers. It plays an important role in setting overall strategic direction for village movement organisations and making links with the membership and government.
The main idea and aim of the Parliament is to evaluate the achievements of rural people and Kodukant, discuss the development needs for the next period; make suggestions to the Estonian Parliament, Ministries and local governments bearing on rural development.

The tradition of rural parliaments started in 1996 when

• I Rural Parliament of Estonian Villages took place in Ida-Viru County from 20-21 April 1996. All the problems were discussed in 3 dimensions – what could be done by villagers themselves, where the local authorities could give a hand and where the help is needed from the government. The first Parliament showed the possibility and need for such a way of cooperation.
• II Rural Parliament was organised by Viljandi and Valga Counties on 17-18 October 1997. Prior to the parliament, on October 9th a constitutive meeting for The Movement of Estonian Villages and Small Towns Kodukant was held in Otepää. The second rural parliament obliged Kodukant to actuate cooperation with other European rural development movements.
• During the III Rural Parliament held on 29-31 July 1999 in Hiiu County the work groups also used the hot spots of rural development of other European countries as discussion topics. The Rural Parliament in Hiiu County obliged Kodukant to contribute to the formation of collaborative forum between the political parties and non-profit organisations.
• IV Rural Parliament, “A developing village” held on 14-16 June 2001 in Kehtna, was seeking the means to promote healthy food, relieve stress and unite the local communities. New elements at this parliament were a fair of local food and craft and a sport contest between the county delegations.
• V Rural Parliament on 21-23 August 2003 in Lääne-Viru County focused on the rural people and the most important things connected with them – community, environment, health, entrepreneurship and learning. First time we had a big amount of foreign guests - 57 from14 countries. Exhibitions showed the history of Estonian village associations. A video was made about the preparations and the event itself.
• VI Rural Parliament, held on 21-23 July 2005 in Pärnu County on the theme of

„Sustainable development and co-operation” brought out the need for including more young village people in our activities; and also employment problems in rural areas. Discussions on the rural development strategy for 2007-2013 were started in the workgroups of this Parliament. A fair of local products ended the event.


PROGRAMME

Topics for the 10 workgroups:
1. Services in the villages.
• Managing community houses and other objects used by village associations.
• Community services
• Services delegated to associations by local authorities
2. Village culture and “us”
• Social capital, developing social capital, networks
• “us”-feeling in and around the village
3. Community-based tourism in the village
• Guests in the village
4. Ethnical rural life
5. Youth in the village
6. LEADER
• experiences of EU members on cooperation of 3 sectors
7. Lifelong learning in the villages
8. Learning Village – a project of Kodukant
• village center (community house) as a training center
9. Engines of village movement
• arousing “sleeping” villages
• backing up the beginners
10. Engines of village movement
• “veterans” of village movement
• “sparks” of the villages
• motivating active villagers
• the effect of village movement on the development of the region


AGENDA OF THE VII RURAL PARLIAMENT

17 August
10.00-14.30 County delegations and guests arrive in 13 different regions of Jõgeva County. Getting acquainted with the villages. Lunch in the villages.
15.30-16.30 Registration in Kuremaa. Housing. Putting up the exhibitions.
17.00 Opening of the VII Parliament of Estonian Villages
Overview of the implementation of the statements of the VI Rural Parliament.
Introduction to the themes of the work-groups.
Announcing “The Village of the Year”
20.00-02.00 Buffet of local food brought along by the participants. Evening program

18 August
8.00 Breakfast
9.00 Gathering into work-groups and leaving for villages. Lunch and study-trips in the villages
17.00 Arriving at Kasepää fair (Fish and Water Festival). County Governor welcomes the guests. Getting acquainted with the fishing region, local producers, politicians
20.00-24.00 Dinner and evening program at the fair

19 August
8.00 Breakfast
9.00 Opening of the DAY OF CRAFTERS (workshops and fairs) in Kuremaa
11.00 Forum: the delegates of The RP meet the Estonian MPs
13.00 Lunch
14.00 Presentations of the work-groups. Final Statement of the RP
16.00 Closing the VII RP and announcing the host of the VIII Rural Parliament


Accommodation
The guests are accommodated in Kuremaa Sports Center and in the hostel of Luua Forestry College.


International guests
International guests are welcome to the VII Rural Parliament (Maapäev) on 15 August already when they are taken to different villages for 2 days to get to know Estonian countryside and Village Movement Kodukant organisation.
Language and interpretation
The program will be held in Estonian, interpretation into English available throughout the event.


Registration
Fee: The registration fee for the participants is 33 EUR (3 days). The fee includes accommodation and meals, transport during the Parliament, program.
Days in the villages before the Parliament (15-16 August) are free.
Please send us Your registration form!


Info:
Don´t hesitate to ask any information concerning Kodukant or Rural Parliament. And we are eager to listen to Your experiences about LEADER and EU.


See You soon in Estonia!

sirjevinni@gmail.com
tel. +372 5 101 291

Sirje Vinni, Chair of the Board