Williams part of CEHD delegation to Brazil

By Professor Oliver Williams, School of Social Work

I was a part of a delegation of 10 faculty members from the College of Education and Human Development who attended the 5th World Conference on Remedies to Racial and Ethnic Economic Inequality at the Universidade Federal do Espirito Santo in Victoria, Brazil in September.

Washington Galvao, a student at Espirito Santo was our guide. Not only did we tour various sections of Victoria (such as public and specialized schools, different parts of poorer and more wealthy communities), we also visited various more specific cultural and ethnic communities and learned about their histories, triumphs and challenges in Brazil. The delegation quickly grew fond of Washington because of his welcoming nature, but also how he is valued and connects to the communities we visited.

We visited two aboriginal communities with different historical events, accomplishments and some disputes that are still being addressed today. We traveled by boat to visit them because they value their privacy and desire self-reliance and self-determination. The blue building we are posing in front of, is the school where aboriginal community members teach their history and traditions and work to educate their students as well as pass on their values.

We visited another aboriginal community that was welcoming to us but also isolated and struggles with how the country influences their independence, their land and pollutes the water where they live.

Galvao knows those communities because of his work with them that allowed us to hear their stories and learn from them. Even his student experience as a Black-identified Brazilian, gave us insight into what issues they deal with and must overcome.

The picture in front of the green building is a school at a legacy community of slaves. The descendants of slaves reclaimed the land and now build on their history regarding peaceful transition, education, community development and associations among members from young to old.

At the conference opening, there were very poignant presentations concerning the challenges about experiences of primarily Black women in Brazil. The conference offered a range of presentations on different topics related to the theme. CEHD representatives presented on a range of topics. I spoke about domestic violence and how faith houses can offer support to women and guidance to men. In the Q/A segments, I was able to offer some ideas about engaging men in the process of change.