The future success of the Highlands and Islands will depend on an economy, society and environment which harness the human, natural and creative attributes of the region, the chairman of Highlands and Island Enterprise, William Roe, has said.

Mr Roe will expand on this theme at the next in a series of nine sustainable development seminars at the UHI Millennium Institute executive office, Inverness, on Friday, 26th January.

The lunchtime series aims to raise awareness of the main sustainable development issues for the area, and how local organisations intend to respond. They are funded by HIE and organised by four partners in UHI Millennium Institute – the Inverness-based UHI PolicyWeb, which researches policy issues affecting rural and island regions; the Centre for Mountain Studies at Perth College UHI; Lews Castle College UHI on the Isle of Lewis, and the Sustainable Development Research Centre in Forres.

In the fifth seminar, Mr Roe will talk on “sustainable development in the Highlands and Islands – a new enlightenment.”

He said: “The future success of our region will not be based on playing catch-up with essentially industrial regions of our continent, but on building an economy, society and environment which echo and magnify the human, natural and creative attributes of the Highlands and Islands. All of us should, I believe, align ourselves to that collective endeavour.

“I’m thrilled to be taking part in this extremely worthwhile seminar series because it addresses a critically important subject: that of sustainability and what sustainable development means for a region like the Highlands and Islands.

“The challenges and opportunities involved in achieving a sustainable economy are great and we are committed to tackling these head-on at HIE in conjunction with local businesses, communities and our partner agencies. HIE is committed to using its investment, influence, innovative partnerships and international networks to ensure that the Highlands and Islands gain a global reputation, over the next generation, as one of the most distinctive, sustainable and flourishing rural regions of Europe.”

The first four seminars proved popular with a total attendance of 236, including 81 in 12 different locations using UHI’s video conferencing facilities. Speakers were Richard Wakeford, head of environment and rural affairs at the Scottish Executive; Professor James Curran, one of the country’s foremost experts on climate change; Carron McDiarmid, head of policy at The Highland Council, and Ian Jardine, chief executive of Scottish Natural Heritage.

Four other leading speakers are lined up before the series ends on 29th June with a round table discussion forum chaired by journalist and broadcaster Lesley Riddoch. They are David Nicol, area director of Communities Scotland on 23rd February; Dr Richard Birnie, head of communications and outreach for the Macaulay Land Use Research Institute on 30th March; Mark Hope, special advisor at Shell Exploration and Production on 27th April, and Professor David Godden, director of the Centre for Rural Health on 25th May.

Anyone wishing to attend the seminar on 26th January should contact Anne Edwards, UHI Policy Web, on 01463 273563 or anne.edwards@inverness.uhi.ac.uk

For those keen to participate in one or more of the other seminars, please register at www.hie.co.uk/sustainability-seminars.

Places are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge and refreshments are provided. Video conferencing facilities are available through UHI.