VMOST

• To support our members and local rural development organisations to argue for, and secure, equity of treatment with effect to human rights, future socio-economic and educational opportunity, access to health and other services and to secure effective participation in local, regional and international decision-making.

• to provide a unique and first choice global forum for rural organisations and individuals engaged in rural community development, health, education and socio-economic development and that share our values.

• To provide a continuous networking opportunity for people in the field of rural and remote community development in the cross-disciplinary fields of health, education and socio-economic development by year end 2003.
• To be the first choice for people working in the field of rural and remote community development in the cross-disciplinary fields of health, education and socio-economic development to access knowledge on best practice, practical examples, up-to the minute experience and research by year end 2005.
• To be recognised as the best global forum by the wider community for rural and remote community development in the cross-disciplinary fields of health, education and socio-economic development by year end 2008.
• To make the IRN knowledge base 'freely' available to all rural and remote communities globally by 2010.
• To make the IRN knowledge base 'freely' available to all people working in the field of rural and remote community development globally by 2010

• To create a global network / community of interdisciplinary rural and remote scholars, practitioners, professionals, policy makers and communities by year-end 2003.
• To provide global support for people working at local and national levels in the field of interdisciplinary rural and remote community development by mid 2004.
• To provide a global perspective in supporting, encouraging and stimulating research and good practice by mid 2004.
• To provide a global forum to foster interdisciplinary understanding and approaches to rural problem solving by year-end 2006.
• To provide a co-ordinated international voice for the IRN on the world stage by year-end 2008.
• To provide a co-ordinated international voice for rural and remote communities on the world stage by year-end 2008.

• Create a dynamic interdisciplinary knowledge database of best practice in rural and remote community development.
• Run biannual conferences in a variety of rural locations
• Provide systems of regular communication amongst members of the IRN.
• Seek financial support to run the IRN (apart from membership fees) to ensure affordability to all.
• Develop country / continent based local IRN initiatives (using international input / answers to local problems).
• Produce regular newsletters / international updates.
• Develop advocacy services of a broad nature.
• Develop a ‘networked community’ of interdisciplinary people with an interest in rural and remote communities.
• Develop a first rate website with global functionality (i.e. can cope with ‘slow’ phone lines, and computers of varying capacity)