Representatives from Unicamp's Central Administration met this Thursday morning (3) with councilors who are part of the Special Commission for the Study of Law 10.639/03 of the Campinas City Council. The legislation included the mandatory subject “Afro-Brazilian and African History and Culture” in the official curriculum of public and private education networks. The objective of the meeting, requested by the president of the Commission, councilor Carlos Roberto Oliveira, was “to support, encourage and consolidate the permanence of future black/quota students at the University”, whose entry will take place from this year onwards. Teachers and representatives of black social movements from Unicamp also participated in the meeting.
On the occasion, Oliveira and the other councilors congratulated the University for adopting the policy of ethnic-racial quotas for admission to undergraduate education, but highlighted that as important as expanding the participation of this social group at Unicamp is developing actions that combat racism and that ensure the permanence and development of black/quota students. Rector Marcelo Knobel presented those present with a list of initiatives in this regard, which have already been adopted or are being formatted.
To those present, Knobel reaffirmed that the University's intention is not only to promote diversity, but to combat all forms of discrimination, racism and violence, in addition to contributing to the construction of a culture of peace. Among the measures linked to these commitments, the rector cited the creation of the Refugee Chair, the Executive Directorate for Human Rights and the secretariats for Diversity, Sexual Violence against Women and Accessibility. “These are important issues to which we count on the contribution of you and the rest of society. We are permanently open to dialogue”, declared the leader.
During the meeting, proposals emerged that will be analyzed in detail by the parties in new meetings. Councilor Oliveira stated that he was satisfied with both the support and the initiatives already taken by Unicamp. He emphasized, however, the need to carry out permanent actions to combat racism. “It is in this sense that we requested this meeting with the rector Marcelo Knobel. We want to offer our contribution to the construction of a university that is more diverse, more tolerant and more representative of society as a whole.”
In addition to Knobel and Oliveira, the meeting was attended by the dean of Undergraduate Studies, professor Eliana Amaral; the executive coordinator of the Permanent Commission for Entrance Exams (Comvest), professor José Alves de Freitas Neto; the chief of staff of the Rectory, professor José Antonio Rocha Gontijo; in addition to councilors Professor Alberto, Mariana Conti and Luiz Rossini.
