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Aviemore hosts Europarc 2018

Published: 19/09/2018

The biggest gathering of conservation professionals in Europe focuses on young people, writes Carroll Buxton, HIE's director of regional development.

As our latest Business Panel Survey shows, attracting young people to rural parts of our region is critical.

We are therefore delighted to be supporting EUROPARC 2018, hosted by the Cairngorms National Park Authority (CNPA), which will have a focus on engaging young people from across Europe.

This week (18 – 21 Sept) over 450 delegates from across Europe travelled to the Macdonald Aviemore Resort for the event. Taking place during the Year of Young People, EUROPARC welcomed around 100 delegates under the age of 30 in a bid to encourage the younger generation to become more involved in decision making, volunteering, working, and living in Europe’s National Parks.

Talent retention and attraction is a key priority for HIE. In every part of our region we are working with partners to tackle the challenges of increasing the working age population to ensure the economic sustainability of all our communities.

We therefore welcome the presentation of the Youth Manifesto at the conference, which will outlines some actions for retaining young people living, learning and working in the rural environment.

EUROPARC is the biggest gathering of conservation professionals in Europe. It provides a platform to further grow tourism, learn from other regions, and importantly to showcase the Cairngorms National Park and the region to international markets.

At HIE we’re passionate about involving young people in shaping the future of our region, and so we look forward to watching the EUROPARC Youth Manifesto come to life locally through the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

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