The Department of Philosophy of the School of Humanities-Ateneo de Manila University and ESSC offer the third and final lecture of the LUCID project lecture series with the topic An exploration of structural injustice through the system of smallholder corn farming in Upper Pulangi, Bukidnon, to be discussed by Pamela Joy Capistrano, the PhD scholar under the LUCID project, on 29 November 2022, 5:00 pm to 6:30 pm, at Faber Hall (FH 101), Ateneo de Manila University, Loyola Heights Campus.
Drawing from the field research of the LUCID economics team, her own field research, and contemporary critical social theory (particularly the work of philosophers Iris Marion Young and Sally Haslanger), the lecture examines the question of what social structures drive the continued farming of genetically-modified (GM) corn among smallholder corn farmers in the Upper Pulangi watershed of Bukidnon, despite their clear economic disadvantages of farming this crop.
The LUCID project lecture series features the research of scholars and development practitioners from the Philippines and Belgium in the fields of geoinformatics, development economics, and philosophy. The first lecture was held on 20 September 2022 with Andres Ignacio, PhD, ESSC Planning Director and Geomatics Manager, speaking on land use impact assessment and how the use of various geomatics technologies such as GIS and remote sensing is used in understanding social justice questions. The second lecture was presented by Clarice Colleen Manuel, another PhD scholar under the LUCID project, on 14 October 2022, and discussed the long presence of GM corn in the Philippines and how the research provides an analytical update on the performance of GM corn relative to currently cultivated varieties to help farmers make informed decisions about adopting.
The LUCID project is a multi-disciplinary research collaboration between ESSC and its long-time Belgian university partners, Université de Namur and Université Catholique de Louvain, together with Ateneo de Manila University and Central Mindanao University as local partners, and with the support of l’Académie de recherche et d’enseignement supérieur (ARES) of the Belgian government.
The LUCID project is designed to investigate the socio-economic dynamics and social justice implications of corn cultivation in the Philippines. The five-year project seeks to understand the dynamics of farmer-level decision making in the context of local opportunities and threats in corn cultivation. It also seeks to look at the issues under the lens of social justice and philosophy and how the unequal distribution of wealth and opportunities are perpetuated by a small group of rich people who take advantage of supplier perks and discounts while imposing high interest rates on farmers.
Those joining onsite may register through go.ateneo.edu/LUCID3 or join via livestream on YouTube.