REPORT OF THE FIRST MEETING OF THE WORKING PARTY ON RURAL SOCIOLOGICAL PROBLEMS IN EUROPE

Summary Report on the First Meeting of the Working Party on Rural Sociological Problems The meeting in Paris was designated as the First Session of the Working Party because of its new status becoming a regular subsidiary organ of the European Commission on Agriculture. Actually, the Working Party has held five meetings since 1958. The last meeting was convened at the headquarters of the Organization for Economic Co‐operation and Development (OECD). Fifteen member countries of the European Commission on Agriculture were represented, with Luxembourg attending the Working Party for the first time. Italy and the Netherlands each sent one additional observer along with their official delegations. For the first time a speaker from the United States of America took part in the proceedings. Two other rural sociologists from Canada and the Philippines also attended the closing session of the Working Party. One outstanding feature of the Working Party was the active support and participation of the representatives of the ILO and UNESCO who presented two excellent papers dealing with Rural Migration and Sociological Repercussions on Industrialization. One other highlight in the proceedings was the presentation by Prof. Larson, of a paper describing the development of rural sociology in the United States and its contribution to agricultural extension, home economics and rural youth work. There was lively discussion on the problems of smallholders indicating that this subject prescribed as one of the most important phases of research at the beginning of the Working Party was again regarded as basically sound for continuation in the program. The future course of research leading to action was indicated in the program of the next biennium, which consists of three main subjects: a. Rural Social Changes in Europe; b. The Rural Family in a Changing Environment; c. Social Aspects of Group Action in Agriculture. Under (a) above four projects have been included dealing with: (i) the enquiry on economic and social conditions of rural population in mountain regions; (ii) research on social repercussions of mechanization in agriculture and of industrialization in rural areas; (iii) study of the problems of rural migration; (iv) different forms of part‐time farming. Other projects under (b) will deal with the social situation of rural women and rural youth. The Working Party recommended that the European Society for Rural Sociology be entrusted with the research work needed rather than through separate arrangements with individual consultants or with national research institutions.