Abstract
The National University of Colombia and the University of Cauca, in partnership with Indigenous professionals who are deeply rooted in and committed to their territories have developed a project funded by the International Development Research Center from Canada (IDRC). This project was based on the premises that co-creation mechanisms are crucial to build autonomy of vulnerable communities and respond to environmental sustainability, and the importance of knowledge and experience developed by Indigenous peoples. Rural development issues are complex. Rural systems tend to be open, with multiple non-linear relationships where uncertainty and the unknown are central elements; national food assistance and production programs are often sectorized and uncoordinated, and, usually, these programs exacerbate paternalism and dependence and deepen historical inequalities. Policies are often designed without considering the complexity of territorial agri-food systems. So, it is essential to explore effective responses to address aspects like limited participation in public policy decisions that concern communities, the capacity to respond to risks, the invisibility of women as key actors in caregiving roles, and the governance of food systems. This project has been developed based on 1. Co-creation, a process that involves Indigenous leaders, academics, and technical experts working as equals. 2. Transition Pathways to Sustainability, a social innovation inspired by agroecology and the human right to food. 3. Project management grounded in institutional behaviors based on transparency, inclusion, trust, autonomy, and flexibility. 4. A communication strategy that includes capacity-building within the territory. 5. A comprehensive and transdisciplinary territorial approach.
Presenters
Teresa MosqueraProfessor, Faculty of Agricultural Sciences, National University of Colombia, Distrito Capital de Bogotá, Colombia
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Organizations as Knowledge Makers
KEYWORDS
INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, CO-CREATION, AGRI-FOOD SYSTEMS, TRANSDISCIPLINARY TERRITORIAL APPROACH, LOCAL KNOWLEDGE
