Educación superior rural y ambiente: la experiencia de la licenciatura en biología del centro Valle de Tenza de la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional con comunidades campesinas de Colombia / Rural higher education and environment: the experience of the bachelor of education in biology of the Valle de Tenza center of the National Pedagogical University with peasant communities of Colombia

El Centro Valle de Tenza fue una sede rural de la Universidad Pedagógica Nacional de Colombia, que desde el año 2005 hasta el 2017 formó maestros para el mundo rural campesino desde la Licenciatura en Biología. El proceso se consolidó con las comunidades rurales a través de un ejercicio de construcción social de currículo con el propósito de atender a las necesidades reales del contexto y de constituirse en una opción de vida para los jóvenes de la región.A partir de la experiencia de 12 años, se identificaron algunas tensiones relacionadas con los procesos de formación de maestros y maestras que recogemos en cuatro perspectivas: la biología y los sistemas de conocimientos locales, las encrucijadas de los maestros y maestras en torno a lo ambiental, las lógicas curriculares y de vida, y el papel de los maestros y maestras en los sistemas de gobernanza ambiental.Este documento aporta elementos que pueden enriquecer la construcción de programas y experiencias de educación superior rural dirigidos a la formación de maestros y maestras en Latinoamérica, cuya práctica se desarrolla en comunidades rurales que conviven con diversas problemáticas ambientales.

Vulnerabilities and Threats to Natural Forest Regrowth: Land Tenure Reform, Land Markets, Pasturelands, Plantations, and Urbanization in Indigenous Communities in Mexico

Despite the economic and social costs of national and international efforts to restore millions of hectares of deforested and degraded landscapes, results have not met expectations due to land tenure conflicts, land-use transformation, and top-down decision-making policies. Privatization of land, expansion of cattle raising, plantations, and urbanization have created an increasingly competitive land market, dispossessing local communities and threatening forest conservation and regeneration. In contrast to significant investments in reforestation, natural regrowth, which could contribute to landscape regeneration, has not been sufficiently promoted by national governments. This study analyzes socio-ecological and economic vulnerabilities of indigenous and other peasant communities in the Mexican states of Veracruz, Chiapas, and Morelos related to the inclusion of natural regeneration in their forest cycles. While these communities are located within protected areas (Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve, El Tepozteco National Park, and Chichinautzin Biological Corridor), various threats and vulnerabilities impede natural regeneration. Although landscape restoration involves complex political, economic, and social relationships and decisions by a variety of stakeholders, we focus on communities’ vulnerable land rights and the impacts of privatization on changes in land use and forest conservation. We conclude that the social, economic, political, and environmental vulnerabilities of the study communities threaten natural regeneration, and we explore necessary changes for incorporating this process in landscape restoration.

Water as a tool for development. An analysis of the conflict of the Ñuble River, Chile

<p>After three decades of neoliberal policies, there are growing concerns in Chile about how nature is used and understood. These concerns are reflected in the relationship between humans and natural water bodies which has reconceptualised the use of and access to water, especially for rural communities. These reconceptualisations have been affected by the model of water rights and river basin governance adopted which have raised issues about social inequality. As a result, rural communities have argued for greater participation in decision-making on matters that affect their lives. This thesis explores conflict that arose around the Punilla Dam Project on the Ñuble River, Biobío Region in Chile. The research employs a political ecology perspective to explore the socio-environmental outcomes of water management in this case and in Chile more generally. The case illustrates how water is important for Chile as a tool for development, the role environmental institutions play, and the tensions between peasant communities, irrigators and hydroelectric interests, while placing these tensions in the context of wider economic and political structures. It is clear that water is key in Chile, hence an examination of the encounter between the model of development and nature is required. I argue that the outcomes of these encounters will increase social inequality and marginalisation, showing that a water project is not always good for all. The omission of these issues in places often rich both in biodiversity and socio-cultural heritage is a cause of concern for Chile and more globally.</p>

Water as a tool for development. An analysis of the conflict of the Ñuble River, Chile

<p>After three decades of neoliberal policies, there are growing concerns in Chile about how nature is used and understood. These concerns are reflected in the relationship between humans and natural water bodies which has reconceptualised the use of and access to water, especially for rural communities. These reconceptualisations have been affected by the model of water rights and river basin governance adopted which have raised issues about social inequality. As a result, rural communities have argued for greater participation in decision-making on matters that affect their lives. This thesis explores conflict that arose around the Punilla Dam Project on the Ñuble River, Biobío Region in Chile. The research employs a political ecology perspective to explore the socio-environmental outcomes of water management in this case and in Chile more generally. The case illustrates how water is important for Chile as a tool for development, the role environmental institutions play, and the tensions between peasant communities, irrigators and hydroelectric interests, while placing these tensions in the context of wider economic and political structures. It is clear that water is key in Chile, hence an examination of the encounter between the model of development and nature is required. I argue that the outcomes of these encounters will increase social inequality and marginalisation, showing that a water project is not always good for all. The omission of these issues in places often rich both in biodiversity and socio-cultural heritage is a cause of concern for Chile and more globally.</p>

El rol de las comunidades campesinas de El Pato (Caquetá) en la implementación del punto dos del Acuerdo Final de Paz de La Habana, en momentos de incertidumbre nacional

Resumen: La implementación del Acuerdo Final de Paz ha tenido sus avances y retrocesos. Por un lado, el panorama nacional es alarmante: se evidencian altos picos de violencia política; re- configuración de actores armados; asesinato sistemático de líderes sociales, reincorporados, etc.; la implementación real de lo acordado es mínima; y hace falta mayor voluntad y efectividad del Estado colombiano y del Gobierno nacional. En contraste, no se pueden desconocer las dinámicas de apropiación y organización social ni el rol transformador de las comunidades desde los territo- rios. El presente trabajo tiene como propósito poner en diálogo una reflexión crítica de la situación nacional del punto dos del Acuerdo con los procesos impulsados por las comunidades de El Pato (Caquetá), y la forma en que estas vienen tejiendo una cultura política participativa y pluralista, aportando así a la implementación del punto dos en, con, desde y para el territorio. The Role of the Peasant Communities of El Pato (Caquetá) in the Implementation of Point Two of the Final Peace Agreement of Havana, in Times of National Uncertainty Abstract: The implementation of the Final Peace Agreement has had progress and setbacks. On the one hand, the national panorama is alarming: high peaks of political violence are evident. Re- configuration of armed actors; systematic murder of social leaders, reincorporated, etc. The actual implementation of the agreement is minimal; and greater will and effectiveness of the Colombian State and the national government are needed. In contrast, the dynamics of appropriation and social organization and the transforming role of the communities from the territories cannot be ignored. The purpose of this paper is to put into dialogue a critical reflection of the national situ- ation of point two of the Agreement with the processes promoted by the communities of El Pato (Caquetá). Also, the way in which they have been weaving a participatory political culture and pluralist. Thus, contributing to the implementation of point two in, with, from and for the territory. Keywords: Final Peace Agreement, democracy, democratization, pluralism, peasant communities, unity, organization, mobilization, transformation, social leaders, political culture, radicalization of democracy.

The Sesame Seed Cash Injection

Tracking change in rural communities over time is difficult. It is also important. If one is to understand what forms of peasant poverty persist, or how and in what ways peasant communities can become richer, then one requires longitudinal studies. These are however few. It is difficult to access the data required for them. The chapter presents one case using assets to track growing prosperity that was built on a boom of sesame production in Rukwa Region in Tanzania. It traces the growth of prosperity that the boom caused and the limits of its spread in rural society.

DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE OF HISTORY OF ECONOMIC RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE WHITE SEA MONASTERIES AND PEASANT COMMUNITIES AT THE TURN OF THE 19TH/20TH CENTURY

The article examines the history of economic relationships between Orthodox monasteries on the White Sea coast and peasant communities at the turn of the 19th/20th century. The White Sea monasteries are combined into a single group by researchers due to their geographic location and development of particular historical trends and activities as a result. The study is based on documents from regional archives related to records management, economic and administrative activities, as well as oral historical sources. The attempt is made to explore characteristics of the White Sea monasteries’ economic impact on the Pomor settlements historically linked to them. The research methodology is based on the historical and anthropological concept. Its problematic field highlights the process of interaction between the White Sea monasteries and peasant communities over the period in question, facilitating the identification of positive mutual influence and problems arising in the course of bilateral activities. Critical and comparative analysis of sources as well as source studies synthesis are applied as methods to analyze documents in a comprehensive way. The research novelty is attributable to previous insufficient information about economic interaction between the White Sea monasteries and Pomor communities over the period in question. Joint economic activities of the monasteries and peasant communities were useful for local population and contributed to resolution to certain social and economic matters. The Pomors developed trades, demanded by the needs of monasteries’ economic activity, such as carrier services, pearling, spinning, seasonal work. Joint activities led to the emerging of effective arrangements, qualified personnel, that served as a social stabilizer and united economic efforts of the Church as represented by the White Sea monasteries and the state as represented by peasant communities.

Party, Peace, and Caciquismo

This chapter identifies the processes by which Veracruz moved from violent political and social fragmentation to comparative stability and central discipline. It charts a new level of control by civilian politicians over the networks of soldiers and pistoleros who had previously taken over much of the state, and the emergence of a modus vivendi between weary peasant communities and landowners. Competitive elections declined precipitously, peasants were cut out of political posts at all levels and unions consolidated their control over the work force. Caciquismo endured, and remained as in the rest of Mexico key to political bargaining and central control. Yet while the state government remained incapable of efficient tax collection, this was compensated by dramatic economic growth, police professionalization and federal support for infrastructure and other public goods from the veracruzano camarilla in the national government.

SERVICIOS AMBIENTALES: ENTRE LA CONSERVACIÓN Y EL USO DE LOS RECURSOS

El estudio aborda la temática de los servicios ambientales desde una perspectiva de prestación de bienes y servicios públicos, los cuales deben estar normados y reglamentos por el Estado. Para ello se realiza una aproximación cuantitativa que da un contexto a la recomendación de política pública propuesta. Las recomendaciones de política pública tienen como eje central la conservación de coberturas vegetales que prestan servicios ambientales a la sociedad. La conservación del territorio, a través del pago del servicio ambiental es una política que atraviesa en forma transversal no sólo el contexto ambiental, sino también el contexto social; ya que se reconoce el aporte al sistema productivo de los esfuerzos de conservación y manejo de recursos de las comunidades campesinas y de los sistemas de áreas protegidas nacionales, departamentales y municipales. Palabras clave.Bolivia, pagos, recomendaciones de política pública, servicios ambientales, tenencia de la tierra. Abstract.The study addresses the issue of environmental services from a perspective of the provision of public goods and services, which should be normed and regulated by the State. To do this, a quantitative approach is carried out that gives context to the recommendation of the proposed public policy. The central policy of the recommendations of public policy is the conservation of vegetables and environmental services in society. The conservation of the territory, through the payment of the environmental service is a policy that cuts across not only the environmental context, but also the social context; since it is recognized the contribution to the system product of the conservation efforts and the management of the resources of the peasant communities and the systems of national, departmental and municipal protected areas. Keywords.Bolivia, environmental services, land tenure, payments, public policy recommendations.