Academics and professionals can contribute to "micro-impact" projects in rural villages that make a real difference and complement formal local services

Across the world, many academics and other professionals now live in rural areas and make important contributions to their micro-local communities. Michael de Percy draws some lessons from his own experience in rural Australia where "tree-change" movements of an eclectic mix of people from big cities to rural communities have created something of a lifeline for otherwise endangered communities.