Rural Seeds
Rural Seeds
Rural Seeds is the youth and early-career arm of the WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice (Rural WONCA). It was created to empower the next generation of rural health leaders by connecting medical students, young doctors, and early-career professionals passionate about improving healthcare for rural and underserved populations.
Built on the principle that sustainable rural health systems require strong, well-supported future leaders, Rural Seeds provides a global platform where young professionals collaborate, learn, and innovate to advance rural health equity.
Background and Establishment
Rural Seeds was established under Rural WONCA in response to a growing global need:
- Rural health systems worldwide face critical workforce shortages
- Young professionals often lack mentorship, exposure, and opportunities in rural practice
- A global movement was needed to build future-ready rural health leadership
Rural Seeds formally launched during the World Rural Health Conference in 2017 in Cairns, Australia as a strategic initiative to strengthen the pipeline of rural healthcare providers. Since then, it has expanded into a dynamic global network spanning all regions of WONCA, aligning youth leadership with global rural health priorities.
Vision and Objectives
Vision
To cultivate a global community of early-career professionals committed to improving health equity and transforming healthcare delivery in rural and remote areas.
Core Objectives
- Leadership Development: Strengthen youth leadership in rural health through mentorship, skill-building, and global exchange.
- Education & Capacity Building: Provide learning opportunities, webinars, workshops, and access to the Rural WONCA Institute of Learning.
- Advocacy: Amplify the voices of young rural health professionals in global policy dialogues.
- Collaboration: Foster partnerships across countries, organizations, and training programs.
- Empowerment: Support young doctors and students to lead rural health innovation and research.
- Community: Build an inclusive global network that encourages idea-sharing, peer support, and collective action.
Why Rural Seeds Matters
Rural communities worldwide face unique challenges, limited access to care, fewer specialists, and greater disease burden. Rural Seeds ensures:
- The next generation is prepared to lead
- Young voices shape global rural health policy
- Rural health remains a priority across all WONCA regions
- Innovation continues through fresh perspectives and modern approaches
It serves as a bridge between emerging professionals and established rural health leaders within Rural WONCA.
Relationship with Rural WONCA
Rural Seeds operates as the young professionals’ representative body within the Rural WONCA structure. It contributes to:
- Strategic planning
- Conference programs
- Research collaboration
- Youth-led advocacy
- Global Rural Health Action Collaboration & Excellence (GRACE) initiatives
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Rural Seeds – WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice
1. What is Rural Seeds?
Rural Seeds is the youth and early-career network of the WONCA Working Party on Rural Practice. It brings together medical students, residents, interns, and young doctors interested in rural and remote healthcare. The network provides leadership development, training, mentorship, and a global platform for collaboration in rural health.
2. Who can join Rural Seeds?
Anyone interested in rural health is welcome to join, including:
- Medical students
- Young doctors and residents
- Early-career health professionals
- Public health students interested in rural communities
- Members of WONCA or non-members worldwide
There is no membership fee and participation is open and inclusive.
3. How do I join Rural Seeds?
You can join the Rural Seeds global mailing list by completing the form.
Join the Rural Seeds mailing list
This will enable you to receive updates, events, training opportunities, and calls for participation.
There are also opportunities to become Rural Seeds Ambassadors, an active voice dedicated to each region of the world. Join the global mailing list to keep up to date with when these opportunities are available.
4. What are the main goals of Rural Seeds?
Rural Seeds aims to:
- Support young rural health professionals
- Strengthen global and regional collaboration
- Provide educational opportunities and training
- Promote leadership development
- Advocate for equity in rural and remote healthcare
- Connect emerging leaders with global mentors
5. What activities does Rural Seeds organize?
Common activities include:
- ‘Rural Cafes’, coffee-house style conversations about rural health
- Webinars and online training
- Leadership and capacity-building workshops
- Networking sessions at global conferences
- Rural health advocacy campaigns
- Opportunities for presenting research
- Participation in the Rural WONCA Institute of Learning
- Collaboration within the GRACE Initiative
6. What is the relationship between Rural Seeds and Rural WONCA?
Rural Seeds functions as the early-career branch of Rural WONCA. It contributes to the Working Party’s strategy, participates in global meetings, and ensures youth perspectives are integrated into rural health policy discussions.
A Rural Seeds representative sits on the Rural WONCA Executive Committee.
7. Does Rural Seeds offer mentorship?
Yes. Members can access:
- Mentorship from senior rural clinicians
- Global peer networking
- Opportunities through conferences, workshops, and mentorship programs hosted by Rural WONCA and WONCA regions
- Informal mentorship through global working groups
8. Is Rural Seeds involved in research?
Yes. Rural Seeds actively supports:
- Early-career research participation
- Cross-country collaborations
- Opportunities to present at the World Rural Health Conference
- Publication mentorship through Rural WONCA partners
- Access to academic networks within rural health
9. Is there a cost to join or participate?
No. Joining Rural Seeds is free. Some events (e.g., international conferences) may have registration fees, but online activities and group membership are free of cost.
10. How can I engage or volunteer with Rural Seeds?
Members can participate by:
- Joining working groups
- Assisting in social media and communications
- Leading regional youth activities
- Presenting at webinars
- Supporting advocacy campaigns
- Contributing to research or conference planning
Volunteer calls are shared through the mailing list and social media channels.
11. Where can I follow Rural Seeds online?
Follow Rural WONCA/Rural Seeds on:
More social media channels can be added as the network expands.
12. What is the GRACE Initiative and how does it involve Rural Seeds?
The GRACE Initiative (Global Rural health Action, Collaboration, and Excellence) guides Rural WONCA’s global strategy. Rural Seeds contributes through:
- Youth-led advocacy
- Participating in working groups
- Co-designing educational and research activities
- Supporting rural health innovations
13. When was Rural Seeds established?
Rural Seeds was launched during the World Rural Health Conference as part of Rural WONCA’s strategic commitment to building future rural health leadership. It has since grown into a global youth network across all WONCA regions.
14. Can organizations partner with Rural Seeds?
Yes. Rural Seeds collaborates with:
- Universities
- Rural health associations
- NGOs and community groups
- Youth networks
- International partners supporting rural health
Partnership inquiries can be submitted through Rural WONCA or the Rural Seeds leadership team.
15. How do I contact Rural Seeds?
You can reach the Rural WONCA/Rural Seeds team through: