Archives

  1. Communication for Rural Transformation and Sustainable Environment

This sub-theme focuses on the role of communication and inclusive knowledge systems in advancing rural transformation and sustainable environmental practices. It examines how communication strategies that are both scientifically grounded and socially embedded can foster behavioral change, strengthen environmental awareness, and enhance resilience within rural and resource-dependent communities.

Topics include the application of digital and participatory extension to improve access to relevant environmental and agricultural knowledge; the use of communication and extension for rural transformation that empowers communities to co-create solutions and drive social change; and the development of climate risk communication in rural contexts, tailored to local socio-ecological systems to support adaptive responses to environmental uncertainty.

By promoting knowledge co-production and participatory decision-making, this sub-theme highlights the importance of equitable and context-sensitive communication pathways that foster local capacities to address pressing challenges, such as climate variability, biodiversity decline, and resource depletion, while advancing environmental justice in rural settings.

  1. Population Dynamics, Agrarian Change, and Ecological Resilience

This sub-theme investigates the interlinkages between demographic shifts, agrarian transitions, and ecological resilience in rural landscapes. It examines how changes in population structure—such as urban migration, aging populations, or shifting labor patterns—impact land use, food systems, and environmental sustainability.

Topics include land use conflicts and sustainable land governance; the socio-ecological impacts of agrarian change; and human ecological responses in areas affected by resource scarcity, land degradation, and water stress.

The sub-theme is particularly relevant to the fields of geography, sustainable development, and natural resources management. It invites interdisciplinary analyses that integrate ecological, technological, and socio-economic perspectives to understand and promote resilience in rural systems facing environmental stressors.

  1. Community Development, Natural Resource Governance, and Rural Sustainability

This sub-theme focuses on the interplay between community development, natural resource governance, and pathways toward rural sustainability. It explores how participatory and inclusive approaches can strengthen local economies, enhance environmental stewardship, and ensure that development practices remain socially just and ecologically viable.

Topics include local economy and nature-based solutions, emphasizing community-driven strategies that integrate ecological knowledge with sustainable livelihood practices; gender and inclusive community development, highlighting the role of equity and representation in fostering resilience and social cohesion; and institutional innovation and local governance, which examines adaptive governance structures and policy mechanisms that empower rural communities in managing resources responsibly.

By fostering collaborative governance, inclusive participation, and context-sensitive innovation, this sub-theme underscores the importance of linking community well-being with ecological integrity, thereby contributing to long-term rural sustainability and environmental justice.