A Rural Reconstruction Movement was started in China in the 1920s by James Yen, Liang Shuming and others to revive the Chinese villages in the face of the onslaught of modernization and industrialization. Similar movements have burgeoned in many countries in Asia (and globally), such as the PRRM in the Philippines (set up in 1952), or the RRN in Nepal (started in 1989). Many movements for rural regeneration, though not necessarily named as RRM, have played a prominent role in rural community building, such as the AIPSN in India.  During the World Social Forum (WSF 2024), an event is scheduled for February 18, 2024. This event aims to revisit the significance of the Rural Reconstruction Movement in the context of contemporary global challenges. As the world faces multiple crises encompassing climate change, economic disparities, and social inequalities, the principles and strategies of rural reconstruction remain profoundly relevant.

Key Focus Areas:

• Historical Significance: Evolution and foundational principles of the Rural Reconstruction Movements, emphasizing their pivotal role in addressing rural poverty and strengthening community development.
• Relevance in Current Crises: relevance of rural reconstruction strategies, integrated rural development approaches, community participation and education, sustainable practices, and social justice principles.
• Community Empowerment and Sustainability: Highlighting the importance of community-driven initiatives, success stories and lessons learned from grassroots movements focusing on small peasant agriculture, food sovereignty, equitable access to resources, education, healthcare, and socio-economic empowerment.
• Pathways Forward: discussions on leveraging the ethos of rural reconstruction to shape effective strategies for building resilient communities, combating inequality, and fostering sustainable development, particularly in the context of the current global challenges.

Objective: To facilitate knowledge exchange, collaborative dialogues, the formulation of actionable recommendations, and the consolidation of a network of Asian rural reconstruction movements. 

Expected participants: 500

Venue: World Social Forum 2024, Kathmandu, Nepal

Proposed Date: 18 Feb, 2024 (two sessions in the afternoon, 2.00-5.30pm)

Organizers: RRN, PRRM, Global University for Sustainability

Co-organizers: ARENA, SAAPE, LDC Watch

Confirmed Speakers:

China: WEN Tiejun, YAN Xiaohui, Zhang Lanying (Sources for Action)

Nepal: Arjun KARKI, Rural REconstruction Nepal (RRN)

Philippines: Mr. Edicio dela Torre, President, Philippine Rural Reconstruction Movement (PRRM)

India: Professor Anita Rampal is former Dean, Faculty of Education, Delhi University, and

Executive Committee member of All India People's Science Network