Introducing Future Countryside 2025 - Julian Glover

The countryside is a place of potential and much positive action but also growing concern about what might happen to it next. Future Countryside 2025 - our third annual event - offers a unique opportunity to discuss how to put these things in balance. It brings people and organisations with different viewpoints together to share a positive view of the role rural Britain can play in making our country healthier, happier, greener and prosperous. The aim is to reach across divisions, respect differences and work together to consider what is right for the countryside as a central part of a better future for all. Last year, with an election underway, we had a particular focus on the political arena. This year, that continues, but alongside it we have added space for more discussion of nature and health. We will hear from young people of many backgrounds, since they, more than anyone else at this event, will shape the future of the countryside. As our programme shows, we have a strong programme of panellists and speakers, but the real strength of Future Countryside lies in the commitment and expertise of everyone attending, and we hope to hear from many people in the room. We don’t want to shy away from the clear challenges facing the countryside, from changes to environmental protection to shifts in funding and taxation, but we hope Future Countryside will show the good that the countryside can do if allowed to show its potential.

We will be livestreaming the event, so it will be open to all, and we encourage those who are not in the room to join us digitally on the day. We hope that Future Countryside 2025 will be a day of inspiration, connection and ambition intended to share choices about the future of rural Britain with all of us who need it to succeed.

Register for the livestream here.

Julian Glover