Experience of Student Social Engagement with Urban Waste Pickers in Cordoba. Some Reflections

Abstract

This paper analyzes an extension project developed by teachers, researchers and students from the faculties of Economics and Law at the National University of Cordoba (UNC), Argentina. The aim is to reflect on the concepts of university extension, university social responsibility and service-learning in practice.

The project arose in response to a specific request from a recycling cooperative in the city of Córdoba. This cooperative wanted to make evident its unequal position in the value chain of recyclable materials. They wanted to improve their bargaining power and at the same time make the role of urban waste pickers visible to the community.

The development of the experience facilitated the collective construction of knowledge based on the direct exchange of knowledge between university agents and social actors. The task was carried out by students under the coordination of teachers and researchers from the UNC in order to promote and develop extension practices that involve them in social issues in their community. The service-learning experience developed contributed to the university's extension mission and can also be seen as a practice of university social responsibility.