Report from the National Rural Women's Summit: 27-28 June 2008, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Canberra ACT

The 2008 National Rural Women's Summit, convened by the Federal Government, addressed many of the issues that affect women living in rural areas, including: climate change, environment and water; representation of women in decision making; health; education; young people; infrastructure, transport and telecommunications; community building, engagement and new arrivals; vocational training, skills development and workforce participation; employment and business development; and the special needs of families and children, Indigenous women, women with disabilities, and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) women. Participants also discussed the establishment of a National Rural Women's Network to enable women from regional, rural and remote Australia to actively participate in policy debates and provide quality advice on issues affecting their communities to the Government ministers responsible for primary industries, regional development, youth and women.