Conference “The Importance of Integrating GCE at the Local Level” brings together more than 60 participants at the Municipal Library of Santa Maria da Feira
On July 23, the Municipal Library of Santa Maria da Feira hosted the Final Conference of the project Local Partnerships for Development Education and Global Citizenship (GCE). This initiative, organized by Rosto Solidário, brought together more than 60 participants from different sectors of the educational, social, and local government communities.
The opening session featured interventions by Sérgio Guimarães, from Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language, I.P., and Fr. Paulo Gomes, President of Rosto Solidário. The latter emphasized that “GCE has been an area of action for Rosto Solidário since its foundation in 2007. We were born for and to promote GCE,” underlining the importance of alignment with the Portuguese Cooperation Strategy and the National Strategy for Development Education, as well as the essential role of Camões, I.P. funding and collaboration with NGOs and local actors.
The highlight of the event was the roundtable “The Importance of Integrating GCE at the Local Level”, which promoted a joint reflection on the role of municipalities, schools, and civil society organizations in implementing conscious, critical, and transformative educational practices.
Sharing their perspectives, experiences, and challenges were:
– Ana Cunha, Municipality of Ovar
– Irene Guimarães, Municipality of S. João da Madeira
– Mónica Santos Silva, Instituto Marquês de Valle Flôr (IMVF)
– Mafalda Queirós, Arrifana School Cluster, Santa Maria da Feira
The discussion was moderated by Paulo Costa, Coordinator of Rosto Solidário, who, after the end of the event, offered a thought-provoking reflection:
“Rosto Solidário was not created only to give fish or to teach how to fish… We need to critically reflect on the complex reality we live in. We need to ask why the river has no fish, what the conditions are for someone who works as a fisherman, who can or cannot sell the fish, what is a fair or unfair price? And what is my choice as a consumer when I buy fish at the supermarket or in a restaurant? Or why do we see so many migrants in Portugal working in the fishing industry? This is what GCE is all about, and this is what we aim to do with students, young people, adults, while also training professionals, teachers, and influencing decision-makers.”
The closing remarks were delivered by Gil Ferreira, Councillor for Culture, Education, Youth, and Tourism of the Municipality of Santa Maria da Feira, who highlighted the collaboration between local government and Rosto Solidário, stressing the importance of joint work in promoting a fairer, more conscious, and global education.
This moment of dialogue, enriched by the active participation of the audience, reaffirmed the importance of thinking globally and acting locally through policies and educational practices that value interdependence, social justice, and sustainability.
About the project Local Partnerships for GCE
This project aims to strengthen the role of municipalities and other local actors in implementing the National Strategy for Development Education. It is carried out in partnership with FEC | Fundação Fé e Cooperação and funded by Camões – Institute for Cooperation and Language, I.P.
Learn more at: https://rostosolidario.pt/parcerias-locais-para-a-edcg
