Rural Development Institute
The Rural Development Institute is an academic research center that was established in 1989 by Brandon University. It focuses on issues affecting rural communities in western Canada and elsewhere. The Institute provides an interface between academic research efforts and the community by acting as a conduit of rural research information and by facilitating community involvement in rural development. RDI has diverse research affiliations, and multiple community and government linkages related to its rural development mandate.
RDI is located in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada.
History
The Rural Development Institute was created in 1989. In 1999, WESTARC was integrated with RDI. WESTARC has served for almost two decades as a nonprofit consulting group that has concerned itself with the applied research, training and economic development needs of communities and organizations in western Canada. WESTARC has provided project management, research, training and consultancy services to meet the needs of communities, businesses and organizations.Advisory Committee
The role of the RDI Advisory Committee is to provide general advice and direction to the Institute on matters of rural concern. On a semi-annual basis the Committee meets to share information about issues of mutual interest in rural Manitoba and foster linkages with the constituencies they represent. Members of the Advisory Committee include: Dr. Scott Grills, Mona Cornock, Larry Flynn, Monika Franz-Lien, Reg Helwer, Ben Maendel, Jonathon Maendel, Darell Pack, W.J. Pugh, Dr. Fran Racher, Dr. Doug Ramsey
, Frank Thomas, Larry Wark, Dr. Dion Wiseman, Dr.Robert Annis.
Research domains
RDI responds to rural challenges and opportunities by focusing on a comprehensive range of research topics, including:- Community economic development
- Community leadership
- Environmental and agro-economic issues
- Information management and technology utilization
- Policy and program research and development
- Rural adaptation and change
- Rural/northern health & well-being
- Rural Immigration
- Rural tourism