For the first time at a world exposition, a conference series on the social, ecological and political challenges of our times was held at EXPO 2000 in Hanover. Titled 'Global Dialogue', the series between June and October consisted of 10 international specialist conferences with top-calibre speakers. Rural regions are important habitats worldwide, and most of the globe's valuable natural resources are found there.
Rural areas ensure food for people worldwide.
However, they are largely cut off from general progress, miss out on it, and sink into isolation, hopelessness and political insignificance. Globalisation finally finishes them off. All that contributes to a continuing flight from the land to increasingly sprawling megacities. This scenario can be avoided only if living and working conditions on the land are adapted to the demands of our times, so that the distance from urban areas does not grow further. For many urbanite decision-takers, the term 'village' still means backwardness, rigid traditions and rejection of technological innovation.