International Workshop "South-South Cooperation Network"

On June 2 and 3, 2023, the International Workshop "South-South Cooperation Network for the Development of Sustainable and Healthy Territories in the context of the Cooperation between Fundação Oswaldo Cruz and the University of Coimbra" took place at the Porto Delegation of UAb.

The event brought together researchers from the Research Line "Societies and Environmental Sustainability" of the Center for Functional Ecology (CEF) at the University of Coimbra and its extension at the Porto Delegation of UAb, as well as from the Observatory of Sustainable and Healthy Territories of Bocaina (OTSS), the Forum of Traditional Communities Angra/Paraty/Ubatuba, and Fundação Oswaldo Cruz (Fiocruz).

The objective of the workshop was to establish the bilateral Fiocruz – UC network, focusing on the prototyping of territorialized projects for South-South Cooperation in the development of sustainable and healthy territories.

Consolidation of the Cooperation Network
"For Change for People and the Planet"

The event began with speeches by Carla Almeida, Director of the Porto Delegation of Universidade Aberta; João Nuno Calvão da Silva, Vice-Rector of UC for External Relations and Alumni; Mário Moreira, President of Fiocruz; Helena Freitas, Coordinator of the Center for Functional Ecology at the University of Coimbra; and Hermano Castro, Vice-President of Environment, Care, and Health Promotion at Fiocruz. The representatives focused on strategies and opportunities for UC-Fiocruz Cooperation, highlighting the importance of institutional convergence and the consolidation of the cooperation network.
Next, Edmundo Galo, coordinator of OTSS and researcher at Fiocruz and CEF, presented the ongoing collaborations, as well as the seminars, projects, and events carried out in partnership with CEF. He also discussed the consolidation of South-South cooperation, integrating partnerships with Northern countries to advance discussions on global health. Drawing from experiences in Bocaina, he emphasized the importance of deepening the exchange of knowledge and social technologies developed by OTSS to promote "Good Living".
Additionally, he introduced the K4P initiative, a network of institutions across the Atlantic aimed at fostering innovative science that drives change for people and the planet.

"Ongoing Cooperation Initiatives"

Closing the sessions of the panel , Guilherme Franco (Fiocruz/VPAAPS) presented the project "Ecocide and Globalization of the Brazilian Cerrado: Resistance and Struggles of Indigenous and Traditional Communities for the Right to Health and Life".
Starting from an analysis of the resistance of Indigenous and traditional communities of the Brazilian Cerrado against ecocide and globalization, the research seeks to highlight their struggles, particularly the fight for health.
Methodologically, the study proposes action research, drawing from local knowledge and ways of being.

"Treasuring"
"Possibilities for Cooperation in Africa and Latin America"

Helena Freitas, coordinator of CEF, presented the "Treasuring" project, developed in Gorongosa National Park, Mozambique. The project aims to adopt a global understanding of the relationships between biodiversity and cultural practices, promoting the appreciation of traditional knowledge and the environment. By integrating communities and local populations into collaborative heritage processes, it seeks to foster empowerment for active citizenship and ecoliteracy in a broad and expanded sense.
The initiative focuses on valuing the natural and cultural historical heritage associated with the park, engaging local communities and professionals while recognizing and highlighting their role in conservation, sustainable resource use, and the associated benefits.