Romanian Village in Global Dynamics: Between Contemporary Pressures and the Preservation of Local Identity
Hosted by: The Strategic Dialogue for Global Affairs Initiative (SDGAi)
Dates: 28-30 August 2026
Hybrid Format: Physical sessions in Ciceu-Giurgești & Cristeștii Ciceului (Romania) + Online participation available for international attendees
About the Forum
The Strategic Dialogue for Global Affairs Initiative (SDGAi) is proud to announce the inaugural edition of its annual flagship event: The SDGAi Annual Forum on Rural Resilience.
Villages in Romania and around the world are undergoing rapid, profound transformations. Balancing the pressures of modernization, economic migration, and climate adaptation with the urgent effort to preserve local cultural identity is a shared global challenge. This forum aims to create an open, transdisciplinary platform for research, case studies, and practical insights that bridge the gap between academic theory and territorial reality.
🌍 Special Invitation to Students (BA, MA, and PhD)
We strongly encourage Bachelor’s, Master’s, and Doctoral students from around the world to participate in this scientific event.
This is a unique opportunity for emerging scholars to present their research on an international stage, gain constructive feedback from experienced academics and practitioners, and connect with a global network of rural development specialists.
Why you should join:
- Global Perspective: Share the specific challenges facing contemporary villages in your home country—whether in Europe, Asia, Africa, or the Americas.
- Flexible Online Format: Students can present their papers entirely online, eliminating travel barriers and making international participation accessible.
- Academic Growth: All student presentations will be followed by dedicated Q&A sessions with senior researchers.
📍 The Relevance of Our Location
Hosting the physical sessions of this forum in the Transylvanian villages of Ciceu-Giurgești and Cristeștii Ciceului (Bistrița-Năsăud County) brings the conversation directly to the territory. This area is a living example of a rural community with rich cultural roots, actively navigating the realities of modern life.
By holding the conference at the local school and a community guesthouse, we deliberately move away from traditional lecture halls. We ground our academic dialogue in an authentic village setting, ensuring that the voices of local residents are central to our discussions. International online participants will have the opportunity to engage with this unique atmosphere via live streams and virtual tours.
📌 Suggested Topics for Papers
We invite paper proposals (empirical studies, theoretical papers, or case studies) addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
- The impact of migration and demographic decline on rural social structures.
- Digitalization and access to technology in remote villages.
- Climate change adaptation and sustainable local resource management.
- Heritage conservation, intangible culture, and community-led tourism.
- Rural-urban linkages and new economic models for local development.
- Youth engagement, education, and the future of rural communities.
- Comparative studies between Romanian villages and rural areas in other countries.
📝 Submission Guidelines
- Paper format: Oral presentation based on an extended abstract.
- Abstract length: 200-300 words (excluding title, authors, and keywords).
- Language: Submissions are accepted in English or Romanian.
- File format: PDF or Word document.
- Submission email: sdgainitiative@gmail.com
(Please write “SDGAi Forum 2026 Submission – [Your Surname]” in the subject line) - Student submissions: Please indicate your academic level (BA, MA, or PhD) and university affiliation in your email.
🗓️ Key Dates (Deadlines)
- August 7, 2026 – Extended abstract submission deadline.
- August 14, 2026 – Final presentation submission deadline (PPT/PDF based on the accepted abstract).
Notification of acceptance will be sent within 48 hours of submission.
👥 Who Should Participate?
- Academics and university researchers.
- Practitioners, policymakers, and NGO representatives working in rural development.
- Community leaders and local stakeholders.
- BA, MA, and PhD students from all disciplines (sociology, geography, economics, anthropology, environmental sciences, political sciences, etc.).
📧 Contact & Further Information
For inquiries regarding submissions, online participation, or logistics, please contact us at:
Email: office@sdgainitiative.com
Join us in building a global dialogue on the future of rural communities—from the heart of Transylvania to your screen, wherever you are in the world.
The SDGAi Organizing Committee