Honors Challenge and Global Goals Week 2026
UCA’s Norbert O. Schedler Honors College Presents
Rural Communities – Global and Local
September 21-24, 2026
In 2025, the United Nations released a report that put a spotlight on cities, stating that 45% of the world’s 8.2 billion people live in urban areas and projecting that two-thirds of global growth will occur in cities over the next 25 years. And yet, the United Nations also argues that rural development is a critical global concern.
In fact, what happens in rural localities will make or break our ability to meet the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), established by the United Nations in 2015, that provide benchmarks for “ending poverty, protecting the planet and tackling inequalities.” Here’s why:
Poverty & Inequality: 80% of the world’s poorest people live in rural areas, ½ are children, and ½ lack health coverage.
Agriculture and Food Security: 80% of the world’s food is grown on family farms. Women make up 43% of the agricultural workforce but face significant barriers to land, credit, and technology.
Climate: Rural communities are on the frontlines of climate change – droughts, floods, extreme heat. A UN goal – create climate resilient livelihoods – and water management is a key issue here.
The goal of this year’s Challenge Week is to explore a diverse range of rural issues from a diverse range of perspectives, hearing from people who are working in our own backyard, our region, across the United States, and internationally. We’ll explore economic and community development, literacy, environmental justice, and sustainable local food systems, spotlighting individuals working to make a positive change.
Schedule-at-a-Glance
Monday, September 21, 5:00-6:00 pm (with refreshments starting at 4:30 pm) Student Center 205
“Rural Community Development” with Julianne Dunn.
Tuesday, September 22, x-period, 1:40-2:30 pm (with refreshments after)
Arkansas and National Literacy Advocacy of the Community Literacies Collaboratory with Dr. Eric Darnell Pritchard
Wednesday, September 23, 5:00-6:00 pm (refreshments at 4:30 pm) COB Auditorium
“We Are All in Harm’s Way” with Catherine Coleman-Flowers
Thursday, September 24, x-period, 1:40-2:30 pm (with refreshments after) Schichtl 115
“Where do we go from here? A systems perspective on food,” with Dan Spatz
Thursday, September 25, 6:00-7:00 pm (with refreshments after) COB Auditorium
Global Food Systems with Dr. Oscar Castañeda
**titles subject to change**
Lost Promise in Rural America.
