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Goals
The Rural
Coalition's charter members, some 22 national organizations, first joined
together in 1978 to bring their combined experience and skills to bear
on national policies affecting rural people and communities. They mapped
an ambitious course toward general goals articulated in the Rural Coalition's
guiding principles. These principles, to which all coalition member organizations
subscribe, are part of the Rural Coalition membership
application. Here they are:
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Justice and equal opportunity are the right of all people regardless
of race, sex, or place of residence.
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All rural people are entitled to the goods and services essential
to a decent quality of life, including education, health and employment
services, housing and basic community facilities. They are also entitled
to democratic community institutions dedicated to serving their interests.
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The long-term viability of rural communities rests on effective control
and use of resources by the people living in rural areas, including
family farmers, local business people and working people of all walks
of life.
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Community-based organizations are instrumental in the development
of rural communities. Public policy should encourage their growth
and strength
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The federal government has responsibility to ensure the rights of
all citizens and to help secure the fulfillment of these rights.
Consistent
with its commitment to these guiding principles, the Rural Coalition
has worked toward two long range goals:
- The development
and implementation of progressive policies responsive to rural needs,
and
- The development
of the capacities of rural organizations and people to work effectively
for, and to sustain, institutional and systematic change.
We join
together as rural interest organizations to work for a better national
society. We mutually subscribe to the principles of the Rural Coalition.
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