The III Ibero-American Congress on Human Rights Education and the I Global EDUDER Meeting were held at the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) in Curitiba, Brazil, a leading destination in southern Brazil. These events gathered experts and specialists in human rights, higher education, and diversity.
Arrival and Reception of Participants
The activities began on the Saturday before the event, with participants arriving at Afonso Pena Airport in São José dos Pinhais, near Curitiba. Despite some logistical challenges, university vehicles were available to transport the group to the San Juan Executive Hotel, located close to the Rebouças Campus, where most of the event activities took place.
Cultural Tour of Curitiba
On Sunday, the congress participants enjoyed a cultural tour of Curitiba, including visits to the Wire Opera House, Tanguá Park, and the Botanical Garden, three of the city’s most iconic destinations. The day ended with a happy hour at the Menina Zen restaurant, offering a delightful taste of the local cuisine of Paraná.
Congress Activities: Inclusion and Diversity in Education
On Monday, September 2nd, the event began with the presence of the Rector of UFPR, Professor Doctor Ricardo Marcelo da Fonseca, and special guest Anna Paula Feminella from the National Secretariat for the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. The opening session also featured prominent figures in the fields of academia and human rights, and a cultural performance by Crisfany, who presented the best of Brazilian music.
During the day, reports on the first phase of the EDUDER Project were presented, focusing on vulnerable groups and intervention proposals to promote inclusion and diversity in higher education. Participants from various countries followed the working sessions both in person and remotely.
Roundtable on Social Inclusion
On Thursday, September 5th, the I Global EDUDER Meeting continued with the roundtable titled “Social Inclusion Subjects in Brazilian Universities”, moderated by Professor Dr. Adriana Inês de Paula. This discussion featured prominent figures such as Megg Rayara de Oliveira, the first Black travesti doctor in Education in Brazil, and Mr. Wagner Bittencourt, a blind philosophy doctoral student at UFPR, among others.
Event Conclusions and Closure
The event concluded on Friday with a discussion of the conclusions regarding the intervention model to be developed in 2025 and the closing of activities by the representatives. This congress was a week of great productivity, cultural enrichment, and memorable exchanges on human rights and educational inclusion.
Next Meeting: Antigua, Guatemala
The next expert meeting will be held in Antigua, Guatemala, and is expected to continue the commitment to human rights and the inclusion of vulnerable groups in higher education.
