Journal of Racial and Ethnic Social Equality

Special Edition: International Symposium on Super Cities Educating for Environmental, Climate, and Anti-Racist Action

José Vicente — 2024-12-06

This issue, dedicated to a special edition, features papers that explore themes addressed during the International Symposium on Super Cities Educating for Environmental, Climate, and Anti-Racist Action, framed by UNESCO's MIL CITIES perspective. The symposium took place in August 2024 at Zumbi dos Palmares University as part of the Zumbi+20 strategy. This groundbreaking initiative was carried out in partnership with the Ministry of the Environment, the Municipal Secretariat for Climate Change, and the Municipal Secretariat of Education. The event also marked the launch of the Super Cities Educating for Environmental, Climate, and Anti-Racist Action Forum and the 'Climáticos' Brigade—a program aimed at mitigating the impacts of extreme climate events and eradicating Environmental Racism.

The Challenge of Educating for a Reality That Needs to Exist

Gilberto Alvarez Giusepone Júnior — 2024-12-06

This reflection aims to discuss the challenges of contemporary education, especially with regard to the critical understanding of the words 'reality' and 'existence.' The proposal is to argue for the urgency of an education that goes beyond mere knowledge transmission and that shapes individuals capable of critically interpreting the world and transforming their realities, both individually and collectively. The text addresses the importance of awareness in education, inspired by Paulo Freire, as well as the reflection on 'knowledge' in Foucault, in addition to discussing the essential knowledge for the education of the future, as presented by Edgar Morin in 'The Seven Essential Knowledge for the Education of the Future.' Thomas More's work 'Utopia' is also explored, highlighting the fundamental role of the educator as an agent of change for a fairer, more supportive, and environmentally responsible future.

Resilience

José Renato — 2024-12-06

This reflection discusses the challenges caused by global warming, which has led to intense climate changes, resulting in the emergence of extreme weather phenomena. It highlights the need for governmental and civil society actions to adapt cities to these new challenges, with a focus on building resilient cities, rather than merely mitigating the effects of climate change. The reflection on climate resilience is central, pointing out the importance of preparing cities to face natural disasters, such as heavy rains and floods, exemplified by the preventive actions in São Paulo. Furthermore, it emphasizes the urgency of reforestation and respect for biodiversity, highlighting the importance of educating society about environmental preservation. Resilience is presented as a tool for the future of cities and humanity, which requires responsible and innovative actions from all of us.

From Severe Fragmentation to Necessary Integration

Lavito Person Motta Bacarissa — 2024-12-06

O paper aborda as profundas desigualdades sociais no Brasil, enraizadas na história colonial e na escravidão, que resultam em fragmentação social e concentração de riqueza. A partir dos anos 2000, com a presidência de Lula, o país experimentou crescimento econômico e políticas sociais que visavam combater essas desigualdades, mas a crise econômica da segunda metade da década comprometeu esses avanços. O surgimento de um conservadorismo neoliberal culminou na destituição de Dilma Rousseff e na eleição de Jair Bolsonaro, um governo autoritário e negacionista que fragilizou as políticas públicas sociais e ambientais, levando a um agravamento da crise social e institucional. A vitória de Lula em 2022 trouxe um novo impulso, com um governo focado na "União e Reconstrução", priorizando a participação social na elaboração de políticas públicas. O \textit{paper} destaca a recriação da Comissão Nacional para os Objetivos de Desenvolvimento Sustentável (CNODS), que visa integrar as diretrizes da Agenda 2030 da ONU no Brasil, promovendo o desenvolvimento sustentável e a equidade social. O fortalecimento da democracia e a superação da fragmentação social são apresentados como objetivos centrais do governo atual, que busca um planejamento participativo e inclusivo para o avanço social coletivo. Os desafios são imensos, mas há um grande esforço em direção à reconstrução da agenda social e ambiental no Brasil.

Note on this special edition

Claudio Marques da Silva — 2024-12-06

O Simpósio SuperCidades: Educadoras Ambientais, Climáticas e Antirracistas sob a Ótica Cidades MIL foi realizado com o objetivo de discutir e fomentar o desenvolvimento urbano sustentável, inclusivo e antirracista, reuniu especialistas e líderes de diversas áreas em São Paulo, Curitiba e Luanda. Sob a coordenação do Professor Doutor Odair Marques da Silva e mediação do Professor Doutor Felipe Chibás Ortiz, o encontro abordou temas de extrema relevância para o futuro das cidades, utilizando a metodologia Cidades MIL (Mídia, Informação e Literacia) da UNESCO como base para reflexões profundas. Fora abordada a importância da educação e inovação para um futuro mais justo e sustentável e as contribuições acerca da visão global. O evento garantiu com a apresentação de projetos e a assinatura de termos de apoio, o destaque de um compromisso internacional com as SuperCidades e reafirmou o papel das grandes cidades na construção de um futuro mais inclusivo e sustentável.

From Structural Racism to Systemic Solutions

José Vicente — 2024-12-06

Objective: To identify and analyze strategies that can be implemented to promote racial inclusion in the Brazilian banking sector.
Originality/Value: This study proposes a systematized set of sectoral strategies to reduce racial inequality in the Brazilian banking sector, termed "Systemic Strategies for Racial Equity." This integrated and industry-specific approach has not been previously listed in the literature, offering a new perspective on the implementation of diversity policies, not only at the organizational level but also considering the industry as a whole.
Method: This qualitative research utilizes a case study strategy, focusing specifically on the Brazilian banking sector. Data collection procedures include semi-structured interviews with representatives from banking institutions, regulatory bodies, and justice organizations, alongside the analysis of institutional documents and secondary data. Data analysis follows Gioia, Corley, and Hamilton's (2013) methodology, involving first- and second-order coding to identify emerging themes, culminating in the aggregation of these dimensions into a theoretical model.
Results: Three main sectoral strategies were identified: Legal Compliance Strategy, Social Pressure Strategy, and Recognized Excellence Strategy, forming the set of "Systemic Strategies for Racial Equity." Importantly, these are not individual business strategies but sectoral strategies that should be implemented and led by governmental, regulatory, or societal institutions.
Study Contributions: This study offers a theoretical contribution by proposing a systematized set of sectoral strategies to reduce racial inequality in the Brazilian banking sector. Socially, the research encourages discussion on the need for greater racial equity, highlighting the importance of comprehensive policies that extend beyond isolated business actions.

Democratizing Access to Water and Sanitation

Anna Luísa Beserra Santos — 2024-12-06

This article examines the work of Sustainable Development and Water For All (SDW), a Brazilian social startup dedicated to providing access to drinking water and basic sanitation in rural and remote communities. SDW uses innovative technologies, such as Aqualuz and Aquafiltro, to treat water sustainably, as well as implementing ecological sanitation solutions. SDW's methodology includes social diagnosis, training, installation of technologies, and continuous monitoring, ensuring the sustainability and positive impact of its projects. With significant results, such as the reduction of waterborne diseases and improved quality of life, SDW For All demonstrates how social innovation can be effective in solving global water and sanitation access issues.

Environmental Education as a Tool for Change Against Climate Crises

Thayná Silva dos Santos — 2024-12-06

This paper discusses global warming and its impact on human life, the importance of environmental education, and the role of the Climate Program at the University Zumbi dos Palmares in addressing climate emergencies and raising awareness among people in the face of these scenarios.

Decarbonization

Claudio Marques da Silva — 2024-12-06

The objective of this paper is to analyze the importance of decarbonization as a strategy to combat global warming and the impacts of climate change. The text explores the relationship between greenhouse gas emissions, particularly CO2, and the environmental, social, and economic risks, such as biodiversity loss, natural disasters, and the acceleration of climate change. It also highlights the global targets set by the Paris Agreement to limit warming to 1.5°C and the need for concrete actions to reduce emissions, both at the global and local levels. The paper points to the relationship between racial justice and climate change, emphasizing how marginalized communities, such as Indigenous and Black populations, are most affected by environmental impacts, despite contributing little to carbon emissions. The article further examines the strategic role of Brazil, particularly due to the preservation of the Amazon, and the importance of public policies aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. It also underscores the role of the private sector and civil society organizations in promoting sustainable practices and strengthening the resilience of these communities, while addressing the need to ensure a fair and inclusive transition, taking social and racial inequalities into account.