THE PROJECT
A unique “Get on board for Children” project initiated just under a year ago by MSC Cruises to support an innovative UNICEF initiative in Brazil to combat poverty and inequality by ensuring better and more equal quality education opportunities is showing positive progress on a daily basis.
The project is a result of a three-year partnership agreement signed on 7 July 2009 by MSC Cruises to support the UNICEF Platform for Urban Centres in Brazil which aim to assist disadvantaged children in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
THE METHOD
The initiative is based on a bottom-up integrated approach in which the community is seen as a vital part of the solution.
THE MAIN ACTIVITIES PROMOTED
In recent months a total of 7333 people living in the favelas – namely 4331 in Rio de Janeiro and 3002 in São Paolo – were interviewed in order to map out and list their most urgent needs. It is the most complete survey ever carried out for disadvantaged communities and it highlights, among other pressing issues, the general lack of basic education services and absence of free transportation to and from school.
In addition 204 Youth Ambassadors were selected, trained and given scholarships to monitor local networks on a permanent basis and help with the social mobilization of communities. In particular they were expected to encourage younger members in the communities to participate in workshops and forums and assist with evaluations of their respective situations.
Following on from this, 80 community youth members aged between 13 and 18, as well as students from public schools, were given the opportunity to convey the major concerns and needs arising out of these workshops to the mayors of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo during an official presentation.
One of the objectives of the Platform for Urban Centres is to boost opportunities in all the possible areas, from education to health and social assistance, from protection from HIV/AIDS to culture, recreation, sport as well as urban infrastructure. In 2009 alone, 108 themed workshops and 90 forums were organized and thanks can largely be attributed to the “MSC for UNICEF” partnership, which mainly support the educational goals of the Platform.
As a result several “Communication in Education” training workshops were held for the promotion of community leaders as well as courses for apprentices and young entrepreneurs, social workers and sports coaches. In addition five vocational courses were implemented for Human Resources Assistant, Supply Assistant, Finance Assistant, Register Assistant and Event Planner.
Testimonial
It is the kind of positive action that has made some youngsters proud of what can be achieved.
“…before there was no sense in life (…) the Platform gave me the opportunities, now I know what it feels like sitting with a debating team and listing what improvements are necessary for my community…” said Michel Santos Ribeiro, Youth Ambassador in São Paulo.
“MSC for UNICEF” general objectives:
• Gain the support of schools: aim is to have 254 schools are participating in the initiative.
• Organise biannual seminars for local authorities focusing on challenges and solutions for the improvement of school education within the favelas
• Support and provide training for 528 staff members of local authorities in order to promote democratic school administration and provide full-time education
• Run workshops for 528 school coordinators and teachers with instruction on how to improve education, involve local communities and employ alternative teaching and learning methods in socially disadvantaged areas in an active manner
• Assist and support working groups and youth ambassadors in their efforts to create awareness of the project and motivate the community
• Encourage pupils to participate in the improvement of school environments by promoting the maintenance of school infrastructure and mutual respect with the aim of curbing violent behavior in schools. Aim is to have 1270 pupils involved.
• Encourage pupils to participate in local school education surveys. So far 7620 pupils are involved.
