The IICA Office in Paraguay is developing a mechanism for integration, exchange, debate and reflection, known as the "Sustainable Rural Development Network in Paraguay".

This network is intended for specialists from the public, private and academic sectors and from international organizations who wish to contribute their knowledge and experience in the subject as members of that network or as a cooperating entity.

The purpose of the Network, membership in which is free of charge and voluntary, is to contribute to knowledge management related to sustainable rural development and technical resource training.

Accordingly, the proposal is to publicize national and international information related to training in sustainable rural development and concepts and innovative methodologies on this topic.

It will also identify, systematize and publicize current experiences in rural development in the country and promote national and international technical exchanges through seminars, workshops, on-site and virtual forums and discussion groups.

The purpose of all these activities is to generate a virtual knowledge bank on sustainable rural development, consisting of research, case studies, working reports, articles, books, etc. In addition, a directory of professionals in the field of sustainable rural development in Paraguay will be created.

Getting started

An initial step in setting up this Network was the launch of its first news bulletin in February.

“This bulletin, which is in electronic format, will be published on a monthly basis. It will publicize national and international information related to skills training, experiences encountered and lessons learnt”, explained Fatima Almada, the specialist in sustainable rural development carrying out this project.

It also seeks to support the promotion of fora for discussion and the critical analysis of present-day topics related to sustainable rural development and the social, economic, environmental, political-institutional and cultural facets related thereto.

The contents of the bulletin will be based on the demands and needs of its users.

This first issue shows the events that will be held in Latin America in the first half of this year and contacts to facilitate access to information on programming, areas of interest, time frames, presentation of papers, etc.

It also invites those interested to write articles on experiences in rural development and food security.

The bulletin is available in Spanish from this Office’s Web site.