Knowledge-Based Rural Development: Adult Education and the Future Rural Economy.

This paper borrows from the idea of human capital (investment in people's skills and abilities) and the notion that increased human capital can, and should, play a larger role in rural development. Although there are arguments against focusing too narrowly on locality in education, locality development is a frame of reference in this paper. It is believed that rural localities and regions can improve their prospects for short- and long-term economic development by increasing locally-relevant investment in human resources, which includes paying more attention to the basic and postsecondary education needs of adults. This document considers whether or not the same training that addresses the long-term needs of young students can appropriately respond to the immediate needs of adults, and reports experiences with different methods of adult training and education. Also considered is the two-way relationship between education and economic development, and notes that while economic development does not necessarily follow investment in education, both should proceed together. A bibliography of 40 items is included. (Author/TES)