Impact for Change Pavilion promotes debate on inequalities at Rio Innovation Week

To reinforce that new technologies can have a positive social impact in combating social and economic imbalance, the Municipal Secretariat of Science and Technology (SMCT), in partnership with the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, was present with an entire pavilion – “Impact for Change” – during Rio Innovation Week, which ends this Friday, at Píer Mauá.

Impact for Change was highlighted at RIW as a space dedicated to discussing the use of new technologies to reduce inequalities.

– Our space was created precisely to provide access to people who do not usually attend this type of event. We have to think of technology as a way of confronting inequalities. For this to be truly effective, it is essential that the city’s most vulnerable populations also participate in the event. That is why we focused on students from Naves do Conhecimento, university students who are quota holders and people with whom we need to think about how we can use technology to reduce social inequality – stated the Municipal Secretary of Science and Technology, Tatiana Roque.

To democratize science and technology, in an unprecedented initiative, the Secretariat made 10 free tickets available for Rio Innovation Week, providing access to the event to different audiences who attended the event: students from Naves do Conhecimento; students from other City Hall projects, quota holders from public universities, Education employees, science communicators and researchers, cultural workers and members of Civil Society Organizations and Social Movements.

Every day, buses with groups of students left the nine Knowledge Ships heading to the event. Students from the Nova Brasília, Triagem, Vila Aliança, Irajá, Engenho de Dentro, Santa Cruz, Padre Miguel, Penha and Madureira units.

Patrick de Oliveira, 24, was one of more than 500 students who had the chance to experience the event. A young resident of the Santa Cruz neighborhood, he described the experience:

– It was incredible. I live in Santa Cruz and had never been to downtown Rio. It was without a doubt one of the best trips I’ve ever taken in my life. It had been a long time since I’d been out anywhere. I know my statement may seem a little silly to some people, but it was gratifying to have had the opportunity to go to an event like Rio Innovation Week.

The Naves offer free technology and entrepreneurship courses and workshops, benefiting residents of communities represented by a considerable contingent of people who have never had access to a computer.

– Having the opportunity to participate in Rio Innovation Week was an incredible experience. Several edifying lectures contributed greatly to my studies in technology. I will be eternally grateful for being able to further strengthen the democratization of technological education and a sense of belonging – said Raquel Pires, a student of the CCNA course for cis and trans women at Nave do Engenhão.

In addition to the students, the Sanbot robot from Nave do Conhecimento do Engenhão was also present at Impact for Change, drawing the public's attention. According to estimates from the event organizers, around 130 people attended the third edition of RIW.

Category:

• Science, Technology and Innovation
• News

October 6th, 2023

Appointments: Impact for Change City Hall of Rio Rio de Janeiro City Hall Rio Innovation Week