1. Exploring the Human Resources/Economic Development Connection
Community Choices: Public Policy Education Program
Exploring the Human Resources/Economic Development Connection
Program Overview
8 March 2000
The Southern Rural Development Center
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2. The Current Situation Rural America leads the nation in:
Families living in poverty.
Rate of unemployment/underemployment.
Functionally illiterate adults.
Only a small segment of rural workforce has a college education or more.
These human capital shortfalls can impede economic and social progress in rural areas.
Situation is most acute in the South.
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3. The Current Situation (cont.)
Many college-educated rural residents move to urban communities.
Brain drain remains significant in rural areas.
Essential for the community to explore how its economic future is shaped by its human resource conditions.
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4. Purposes and Objectives
To offer local citizens an opportunity to study and resolve problems in their community using the framework.
Four objectives:
Introduce the public policy education framework.
Strengthen citizens’ understanding of human resource and economic development issues.
Mobilize citizens to explore links between human attributes and economic development opportunities.
Enhance citizens’ involvement in working on solutions to identified problems.
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5. Format and Resources Most modules contain: Instructor’s Guide
Module Overview
Small Group Activities
Transparency Masters
Background Readings and References
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6. Table 1. Topics Covered
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7. Prepared by Lionel J. Beaulieu Southern Rural Development Center
Kenneth Bolton Jr.
Southeastern Louisiana University
March 2000
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