2023-06-23 05:01:00
José Clodoveu de Arruda Coelho Neto, known as Veveu Arruda, is a Brazilian lawyer and politician. During his management as mayor of the city of Sobral between 2011 and 2017, they achieved a reduction in poverty and exclusion thanks to redistributive and state policies that revolved around education. These policies managed to position Sobral as the best Brazilian municipal public network, according to the Brazilian Educational Opportunity Index (IOEB) of 2015, and to reach first place in the ranking of the Basic Education Development Index (Ideb) of Brazil in 2016 , among the more than 5,500 municipalities in the country.
Currently, he is the General Director of Associação Bem Comum (ABC), which runs the Literacy Program in Collaborative Regime (PARC) in Brazil, inspired by the Sobral experience, in partnership with the Lemann Foundation and the Natura Institute. During his visit to Argentina, Arruda spoke with PáginaI12 at the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), where he reflected on the importance of education and the educational policies of the governments of Jair Bolsonaro and Lula da Silva, as well as his role in the transition between both administrations.
How did you get into politics?
I was born and raised in Sobral, but I didn’t have my third year of high school there. So I had to move to Fortaleza to complete my studies. My intention was to study law and become a diplomat, but the military dictatorship in Brazil changed my focus. I joined the student struggle for democracy and redirected my dream: I returned to Sobral and instead of being a diplomat, I became a lawyer for social movements. I defended workers who were fighting for agrarian reform in the early 1980s. Of course, during that period there was hostility towards those who practiced this type of advocacy, such as death threats and physical assaults. I had colleagues who were killed in this process. However, others of my generation also returned to Sobral after finishing their studies, sharing the dream of transforming our city. I was elected councilor and, despite the differences, I established political alliances with members of other forces, for example Cid Gomes, to promote changes in Sobral.
Why did and does he emphasize education in his political career?
Because it is an instrument capable of transforming people’s lives and, as a consequence, transforming the territories in which they live. Through quality education, Brazilian democracy can be strengthened and the inequalities that affect, especially, the most impoverished population of our country can be overcome.
What balance do you make of the Bolsonaro government in regards to educational policies?
His government had a clear objective: to dismantle the Brazilian educational policy as part of its strategy to build a new model of society. There was a total absence of educational policies at all levels. His denialist attitude towards science during the fight against Covid is an example of his approach, which was marked by the destructuring and reduction of resources of the Ministry of Education. The presence of Bolsonaro was a disaster for Brazil, not only in education, but also in relation to the conditions of our country.
In what sense?
There was a confrontation between a democratic society, based on values of tolerance, cooperation, respect and love, and an authoritarian, prejudiced, intolerant and hateful society. In addition to dismantling the educational policy, he also eliminated the Ministry of Culture, thus belittling the cultural expression of the people. However, in the midst of this tragedy, there were some positive aspects, such as the strengthening of states and municipalities. They assumed a more prominent role in solving existing problems. His fight against Covid was crucial to avoid an even worse situation in Brazil. This strengthening was also applied to the educational field, where States and municipalities responded to the problems that arose in this context with their own resources.
Then you participated in the political transition process of the Lula government.
It was a very positive experience for me, an opportunity to expand my knowledge about the educational challenges in Brazil, not only with regard to basic education, but also technical and higher education, research, among other aspects. During that time, I was able to witness the enthusiasm and energy of institutions, men and women committed to presenting a complete diagnosis of the reality of Brazil, with all its challenges and problems, as well as offering effective solutions. This facilitated the structuring of public policies upon taking office and made it possible to consider essential aspects of Brazilian diversity and plurality, addressing issues such as exclusion, racism, and gender prejudice. There was a clear intention to build an inclusive educational policy. The participation of organizations from the third sector was also highlighted, contributing their valuable experiences to the construction of public policies.
What are the challenges facing the current government in education?
President Lula made basic education, for the first time, a priority. It is a State policy, not a government one, because it seeks to dialogue with all the political compositions of Brazil. It is a democratic and republican policy that transcends party affiliation. It doesn’t matter who the governors, mayors or citizens voted for, whether they voted for Lula or not. Personally, I consider this to be the correct and appropriate policy.
Can this goal be achieved even if the Brazilian right wants to put up obstacles?
It is a challenge that requires the union of all, regardless of their political or ideological positions. The tragedy of education and illiteracy is silent, lacking the fire and smoke that herald deforestation in the Amazon. However, it burns the life prospects of communities and entire generations. Through education, Brazil will be able to address its socioeconomic inequalities, strengthen its economy to improve the quality of life of the entire population, and position itself as a world leader. The participation of both the public sector (federal, state and municipal governments) as well as private, social, cultural, religious leaders, and all citizens, is required to extinguish the fire and make hope flourish in people and in our country.
Interview: Axel Schwarzfeld
#Veveu #Arruda #Education #instrument #capable #transforming #peoples #lives #mayor #Sobral #Workers #Party #Brazil