Youth from the Sertão do Pajeú reflect on their autonomy at the Territorial Meeting on Youth and Agroecology

By Valdirene Alves and Ivan Bezerra, young agroecology multipliers

From July 10 to 12, 2024, in the Sertão do Pajeú territory, the “Territorial Meeting of Youth and Agroecology: strengthening agroecological territories” took place, with the aim of providing moments of training and exchanging experiences among the youth of the territory, strengthening ties for networking. Among the specific objectives:

• Bringing together young people from the territories for moments of exchange of knowledge and experiences between young people from the countryside, the waters, the forests and the cities. Reflecting on youth autonomy and the construction of their identity as political subjects;
• Reflect on the role of young people in the construction of good living in their territories, dialoguing with ongoing actions in the communities and thinking about how these experiences can collaborate with the processes of engagement and organization in their communities.
• To draw up strategies for maintaining and strengthening the actions of these young people as a collective political subject through the Commission of Young Agroecology Multipliers (CJMA);
• To talk to society about agroecology and its importance in guaranteeing the well-being of rural and urban populations, by keeping young people in the countryside, access to adequate and quality food, income generation and many other aspects that permeate agroecological development;
• To give young people a chance to see and sell their produce at the Knowledge and Flavors Fairs that will be held on the last day of the meeting.

On the first day, there was a presentation of the participants in the meeting and of the CJMA, which showed the trajectories and elements of strengthening in the territory of young people Ivan Bezera, Josilma, Valdirene Alves and Wandreson Rodrigues. Afterwards, Riva Almeida, the territorial coordinator of the Sabiá Center, and Elias Freire, a young agroecology multiplier and former member of the CJMA, held a dialogue on analyzing the situation and political advocacy in Pajeú. During the carousel of experiences, we got to know three of them: 1) Adessu Baixa Verde: Associativism and Mobilization in Communities; 2) Agroecology and Environmental Sustainability – Reuse of Grey Water and Revolving Fund; 3) Network of Women Producers of Pajeú. At the end of the day, we talked about agroecological practices and the importance of Agroforestry Systems in combating the desertification of the Caatinga.

On the second day of activities, the young people split into two groups to implement Agroforestry Systems (SAFs) in two communities in the municipality of Triunfo. We also drew up the Youth Charter, which was read out the following day at the town’s Family Farming Fair, accompanied by the entertainment of the forró trio “Só Triscando” and the youth’s talk of resistance for their rights.

You can check out the full Political Letter from the Youth of the Sertão by clicking below!