11 de November de 2019
November 11, 2019. The 4th European Rural Parliament took place in Spain, providing an opportunity to debate and share experiences that enable us to work toward territorial cohesion and sustainable development. The capital of the Asturian municipality of Carreño, the municipality of Candás, hosted the event on November 6, 7, 8, and 9, with the participation of more than 300 people from 38 countries.
Inaugurated in the old Ortiz Factory, the IV European Rural Parliament has been held in Candás, to debate and reflect on the challenges facing the rural environment in the medium and long term . In addition, during the second day, seven field visits were scheduled to different areas of Asturias such as Arriondas, Gijón, Rioseco, Somiedo or Langreo, where visitors have learned from their protagonists about different LEADER projects , such as the Hermanos Marrón Artisan Bakery , in Belmonte de Miranda, or business initiatives such as Valnalón , a public company of the Government of the Principality of Asturias , created in 1987 to support, stimulate and encourage entrepreneurship in the territory .
The second day was closed with the official dinner in which the Director General of Rural Development, Innovation and Forestry Policy of MAPA, Isabel Bombal , and in which she highlighted the importance of continuing to work towards balanced territorial development with the participation of all stakeholders in rural areas . In her speech, she highlighted the need to find solutions that promote the transformation of territories and where tools are designed to attract young people and women to settle in our towns .
The third day saw a plenary session and workshops. Smart Villages , simplification, and the participation of all stakeholders at all levels were some of the key messages delivered by Mihail Dumitru , Deputy Director-General of the Directorate-General for Agriculture and Rural Development of the European Commission , who outlined the next lines of action to address the challenges of rural policy in the European Union and Rural Communities in the next programming period. Jaime Izquierdo , Commissioner for the Demographic Challenge of Asturias , also highlighted the need to adapt policies to the territories and seek a symbiosis between countryside and city , betting on a new city model, with an "agropolitan" structure . In the afternoon session, entitled "Work and Networking" , experiences were shared and opinions exchanged on the different projects, methodologies, and formulas for managing the rural environment in 21 workshops.
The publication of the Manifesto of the Fourth European Rural Parliament is the result of four intense days of work advocating for the diversity of rural areas, youth, and civil society networks .