for example

• globalization and intensification of agricultural practices, techniques and markets;
• need for coordination and evaluation of public sector policies and their impacts on rural economies;
• threats to small-scale farm heritage land use and patterns, buildings, spatial form, context etc.;
• threats to and remedies for crop and animal genetic diversity;
• improved markets for rural products, food, craft and traditional rural offerings;
• tools and techniques to strengthen heritage-based rural activities;
• tools and techniques to improve economic viability of small farms;
• current status and opportunities for rural-based, cultural heritage tourism;
• agriculture and local food tourism;
• opportunities and challenges for economic uplift of rural areas and rural heritage assets through urban-rural connections, local re-investment in infrastructure and agro-industry, and other means; and
• risks arising from the construction of large-scale infrastructure such as dams.