Ateneo Development Field School

The Ateneo Development Field School (ADFS) is a 6-unit, 4-week course designed to hone students' skills in applied research, deepen their understanding of a development theme, and allow them to contribute to social development. ADFS 2019 is focused on community organizing and rural development.
 

In the first week, students will first learn through classroom lectures, discussions, and exercises fundamental concepts and principles of community organizing. They will also acquire participatory research skills to produce research output relevant to the community's stakeholders. The succeeding weeks are devoted to community-based fieldwork where students will be exposed to the challenges of organizing, negotiation, and resource mobilization.
 

This year, ADFS will work with farmers, fisherfolks, and indigenous people from Casiguran, Aurora, who are also affected by the Aurora Pacific Economic Zone and Freeport (APECO). By the end of the month-long course, students are expected to have processed and analyzed their data with the community and translated them into useful recommendations aimed at bringing about inclusive development.