Seminar discusses community policies in favelas and communities

Divided into three panels, the seminar presented lectures and projects considered examples of good practices for sustainable living. Credit: Disclosure

The City of Rio, through the Community Action Secretariat, brought together community leaders, representatives of public authorities and partner institutions, as well as members of the Municipal Council of Favelas (COMFAV), to discuss community policies that seek to improve the quality of life in favelas and communities.

The 1st Community Policy Seminar of the City of Rio de Janeiro marked the end of the celebrations for Favela Day (November 4) and was held on Friday (29/11) in downtown Rio, with the presence of more than 400 people. During the meeting, organized in three panels, lectures and projects considered examples of good practices for a better and more sustainable life were presented, in addition to actions by the city of Rio aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

– Our commitment is to reduce social inequalities and promote the inclusion of populations living in vulnerable areas. We have already had a positive impact on thousands of families who have benefited from housing renovations, eliminating unhealthy conditions, encouraging income generation through the collection of recyclable materials, promoting socio-educational activities with courses and discussion groups on sustainability, and offering access to guided cultural programs, strengthening the bond between communities and the city – highlighted Marlí Peçanha, Secretary of Community Action and President of the Municipal Council of Favelas.

Federal deputy Benedita da Silva, one of the guests, praised the seminar and spoke about the importance of communities being heard.

– Until we arrived here, we lived through difficult times in this country, without dialogue and without the presence of government in the favelas. Today we are part of the city map and we have a voice and a say – he said.

Journalist Isabele Benito praised the creation of a department focused on community policies, led by a manager who lived in a community and overcame challenges.

– It is very gratifying to participate in a seminar like this, organized by a black secretary who came from the community. It is important that the residents of these areas have dignity, opportunities and feel proud, because it is within the communities that there are those who break the bubble and move forward,” he commented.

During the event, community leader Robsvaldo da Conceição, from the Darcy Vargas community, in Jacarepaguá, highlighted the importance of projects that impact the lives of the most vulnerable people.

The seminar ended with a performance by the Municipal Guard Band.

Check out what happened:

Panel 1 – Community Policy and Public Actions

Felipe Santa Cruz, Municipal Secretary of Government – ​​“Community Policy and Law: Legal Guarantees and Instruments for Citizen Participation”.

Daniel Soranz, Municipal Secretary of Health – “Community Policy and Health Promotion: Building Networks of Care and Collective Well-Being”.

Benedita da Silva, federal deputy – “The relationship between communities and public authorities”.

Tiago Mohamed, chief of staff – “The importance of the Community Action Secretariat for the City”.

Jaime Leite, undersecretary, representing the municipal secretary of Housing, Claudio Caiado – “The Valorization of the Work of Community Leaders and the Partnership between the Secretaries of Housing and Community Action in the Communities”.

Nilson Bruno, public defender – “Community Policy and Anti-Racist Law: Building Equity and Social Justice at the Foundations of Society”.

Marlí Peçanha, Secretary of Community Action – “Good Practice of the City of Rio de Janeiro in Community Policy: Programs and Projects of SEAC-RIO, with Highlight for the Casa Carioca Project”.

Isabele Benito, journalist, communicator at Tupi, columnist for Jornal O Dia and presenter at SBT Rio – “Strengths and Vulnerabilities in Connection with People in Life in Society”.

Igor Valpassos, vice-rector of the Federal Institute of Rio de Janeiro (IFRJ), representing Rector Rafael Almada – “Community Policy and Education: Building Paths for Social Progress and Community Transformation”.

Michele Beatrice, vice-president of the Council of Architecture and Urbanism (CAU) – “The Importance of the Seminar and the Partnership Between Institutions in Favor of Improving the Housing Conditions of the Most Vulnerable People”.

Panel 2 – Good Practices in Community Projects

Renan Monteiro, entrepreneur in Rocinha – “Rocinha Viewpoint as a Space for Tourist Development. Socioeconomic and Cultural in the Rocinha Favela”.

Adriano Paraíso Hazad, community leader, director of heritage at the Morro da Babilônia and Chapéu Mangueira Residents Association and Ambassador of Revolusolar – “Revolusolar: Fair, Inclusive and Popular Energy Transition”.

Ricardo da Silva, known as Chapolin, community leader in the Colégio region and Councilor of the Municipal Council of Favelas – “Thinking about You Project: We Believe in the Power of Society to Build a Better World”.

Luciene da Silva dos Santos, advisor to the Municipal Council of Favelas – “Women on the Front Line Project: Collective Solutions for Improving the Quality of Life and Development of the Morro do Alemão Community”.

Panel 3 – Community Policy and Sustainability Actions

Patrícia Cristina da Silva, social worker at the Environmental Events Institute (IEVA) – “Community Policy and Sustainable Cooking: Reusing Food and Generating Employment and Income”.