A major conference is to bring together leading thinkers on rural economies, planning, policy and mission to explore the sustainability of rural communities and their churches.

Faith and the Future of the Countryside – 2010 will also mark 20 years from the publication of Faith in the Countryside, the seminal report of the Archbishop’s Commission on Rural Areas chaired by Lord Prior.

Four conference themes of rural communities, economy, environment and rural church reflect the breadth of issues covered in the original report.

Four keynote speakers will include Professor Michael Winter, Director of the Centre for Rural Policy Research at the University of Exeter, and Professor Mark Shucksmith, Professor of Planning at the University of Newcastle.

The keynote addresses will be backed up by 20 seminars on the four themes of rural communities, economy, environment and rural church and a range of poster sessions.

Faith and the Future of the Countryside – 2010, organised by the Church of England’s Mission and Public Affairs Division, will be held from 3 to 5 November 2010 at The Hayes, Swanwick, Derbyshire.

Details and a booking form are available at www.rural20.org or from: Faith and the Future of the Countryside Conference, The Arthur Rank Centre, Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, CV8 2LG, email katrinas@rase.org.uk or tel: 024 7685 3075