DISCUSSION QUESTIONS University of Sonora

Students: Alejandra Acuña Nadia Galaz Alvarado Karen Angulo Valenzuela Roxana Zatarain José Luis Salgado Professors: M.C. Andrea Zavala Reyna

One of the most significant challenges for the present in which we find ourselves, into the joint between science, technology and society, is to propose a future in the medium and long term that the occurrence of an effective social development, and at the same time ensure the continuity of finite resources with which to continue this development. That is the priority of the concepts of "sustainable development" and "sustainability.“ Sustainability Science? “Sustainability” means different things to different people To an ecologist, sustainability is the ability of ecosystems… To an economist, sustainability is the ability of the market to optimally allocate scarce resources… To a sociologist, sustainability is the ability of individuals and communities…

To what extent can we say that sustainability is a science? Science is the body of knowledge obtained through observation and reasoning, systematically structured and deduced general principles and laws. Science= Observations + Speculations We can say that sustainability is science to the extent that it is the exact description or prediction of network of antecedents and consequences under observation because unfortunately in most of the cases, for necessity or preference, sustainability researcher can’t or don’t try to manipulate or control the network.

A science is both a particular kind of activity and also the results of that activity…. Sustainability and sustainable development involve clear and concise actions, which have been evidenced through time, by ecologist in the maintenance of ecosystem structures, by the economist in Maintaining a healthy Labour Market, by the sociologist by remaining in good general health and the other different people in different areas.

What is the role of rural areas in sustainable development? Sustainable development should be implemented in rural areas because they have an important role in our lives, this is were our primary productive activities and goods are generated.

What do you consider are the main actors of change in sustainable rural development and why? Everyone of us, because our actions impact in our life. It will depend in the way that we are raised in our home, school, community and environment.

What factors do you think are most important in establishing goals and objectives of sustainable rural development? It depends on the different criteria of each person, it can be: Political Social Economic

READINGS M.C. Andrea Zavala Reyna, Dr. Dagoberto Burgos Flores

Towards a sustainable rural development in Mexico? (Acaxochitlán, Mexico) 1. What do you think is the most important need of a RSD model? 2. What do you think of the Rural Sustainable Development law

Ecotourism as a development strategy: experiences from Costa Rica Do you think ecotourism is appropiate for Costa Rica, and what would you do to improve it?

Ecotourism as a development strategy: experiences from Costa Rica Do you think ecotourism is appropiate for Costa Rica, and what would you do to improve it?

Sustainable rural development: that distinguished stranger (a review) In your area, if the government or other type of association is giving support to people to perform actions for sustainable development, Do you know if your local government or associations are giving them information about overexploitation of resources, global warming, etc. or just giving them the resources with no information? M.C. Andrea Zavala Reyna, Dr. Dagoberto Burgos Flores

M.C. Andrea Zavala Reyna, Dr. Dagoberto Burgos Flores