2nd International Symposium and 5th National Symposium on Rural Development,  Agroecology, and Sustainability

Contemporary discussions on rural development, sustainability, and food sovereignty have gained increasing relevance in Latin America in the face of issues associated with territorial inequality, environmental crisis, extractivist models, and the vulnerability of rural communities. In this context, the 2nd International Symposium and 5th National Symposium on Rural Development, Agroecology, and Sustainability brought together academic, research, and community experiences focused on the critical analysis of social movements and alternatives to strengthen food sovereignty through participatory and sustainable approaches.

The event brought together researchers, social leaders, peasant organizations, universities, and communities from different countries, fostering spaces for interdisciplinary dialogue on agroecology, territorial development, sustainable production, political ecology, and rural rights. Furthermore, the presentations and lectures addressed experiences related to community organization, biodiversity, environmental sustainability, public policy, agroforestry, and social transformation in rural Latin American contexts.

The proceedings included thirty-six articles organized into three thematic areas: agroecology, sustainability, and the environment; social movements, good living in rural areas, and food sovereignty; and politics, law, and territorial development. The contributions reflect academic perspectives and territorial experiences that seek to strengthen processes of social engagement with knowledge and the collective construction of alternatives to contemporary rural challenges.

The academic experience highlighted the importance of creating opportunities for regional exchange aimed at strengthening critical thinking, social participation, and the development of sustainable proposals for rural development and food sovereignty in Latin America.