Filipino Scholar Advocates for Agrarian Reform at Global Conference

An academic conference in Cartagena, Colombia, brought together over 400 scholars and advocates to discuss urgent issues surrounding agrarian reform and food systems. Among the participants was UP Assistant Professor Karlo Mikhail Mongaya, who called for renewed global action on these topics during the International Academic Conference for Land, Life & Society held from February 20–22, 2026. His presentation, co-authored with junior research analyst Sheila Mae Pagurayan, highlighted the critical need for addressing longstanding agrarian issues in the Philippines.

The conference occurred alongside the Second International Conference on Agrarian Reform and Rural Development (ICARRD+20), a major forum facilitated by the Government of Colombia with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and various social movement and academic partners. The event hosted 410 participants from 321 universities and research institutions worldwide, underscoring its international significance.

Urgent Call for Action

Mongaya’s paper, titled “Food Regimes and Radical Movements in Agrarian Change: An Invitation for Rethinking the Agrarian Question in the Philippines,” argues that the academic community has largely neglected significant agrarian changes in the Philippines since the 1980s. These changes include land redistribution, market liberalization, labor migration, and escalating food insecurity.

Mongaya and Pagurayan assert that these issues are not confined to the past. The authors emphasize that “the combined crises of food, energy, and climate change have made the agrarian question more urgent than ever.” Their research offers a historical perspective on how global food regimes and radical social movements have influenced agrarian transformations in the Philippines. Both authors are also committed to practical advocacy through their work with KATARUNGAN, an organization focused on land rights and food sovereignty for small farmers.

In addition to their scholarly contributions, Mongaya participated in drafting the Cartagena Declaration, a key document summarizing the conference’s discussions. This declaration, read during the plenary session of ICARRD+20, reaffirms the dedication of engaged scholars to conducting thorough, evidence-based research that reflects the realities faced by rural communities. It highlights that securing land and territory for people, work, food, and life is not merely an ideal but an essential response to contemporary global challenges.

Impact on Policy and Advocacy

The academic conference underscored the vital role that scholarly work plays in shaping international policy discussions on agrarian reform and rural development. By connecting theoretical research with practical advocacy, scholars like Mongaya and Pagurayan are fostering a deeper understanding of agrarian issues at both local and global levels.

The collective efforts of the Collective of Agrarian Scholar-Activists of the South (CASAS) and numerous Colombian and international universities further illustrate a collaborative approach to these pressing matters. With ongoing transformations in rural landscapes worldwide, the insights shared at this conference could influence future policies aimed at improving the livelihoods of marginalized communities.

As the world grapples with interconnected crises, the discussions in Cartagena serve as a reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive agrarian reform and the importance of integrating academic insights into actionable policies.