The role of rural development administrators in rural institutions

Abstract

Changes in rural development policy effected by globalisation, increasing competitiveness of the regions, quick development of technologies and their intervention to daily life challenges new requirements for society. In rural areas where the life is not so quick, but social problems are deeper, there is a need for urgent, pro-active and professional area orientated development decisions. Due to challenges posed to agriculture by economic globalisation and sustainable development, both theoretical and applied scientific research is necessary to improve agricultural and rural development policies and their management. This demand for professional and innovative activities in the area of rural development is significantly bigger than in the other sectors. Following this specific attention is given to the role and functions of rural development administrators, how they change and affect the functioning of rural areas. According to mentioned the research object – functions and role of rural development administrators. The research aim – to explore the functions and role of rural development administrators in rural institutions. The research is based on the positive research paradigm, content and descriptive analysis, empirical study methods, logical and systematically reasoning, abstracts and other methods. The questionnaire about the role rural development specialists/administrators in rural areas was made using 13 open-ended and open questions. Different questions were given with the purpose to identify what type of institution represent respondents, what are or could be the competences of rural development administrators, what level of education they have/or expect to have, what type of model should be applied to enhance and maintain rural development study programmers.[...]