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PRINCIPLES THAT GUIDE OUR JOURNEY

CESE's institutional policies and guidelines express our commitment to ethics, equity, and collective rights.

INSTITUTIONAL POLICIES AND REFERENCES

The Reference Policies guide CESE's actions in the face of a scenario of democratic setbacks, weakening of public policies, criminalization of social movements, and threats to human rights defenders.

RIGHT TO LAND,
WATER AND TERRITORY

At CESE, we recognise the unequal distribution of land and water as core elements in power relations in Brazil and we have supported struggles in this field, taking account of all the diversity this has entailed, in both rural and urban environments, since CESE’s foundation. Some fundamental elements of this policy are: support for agrarian reform and the demarcation of indigenous and quilombola lands and those of other traditional communities, access to urban land and land regulation, the conservation of biodiversity, the guarantee of socio-environmental justice, encouraging strategies of access to water for consumption and production, the defence of agro-ecological peasant farming, and combatting agri- and water businesses, as well as large-scale infrastructure and mining projects. 

DERECHO A LA ENTIDAD
EN LA DIVERSIDAD

At CESE, we understand that respecting diversity is a principle for achieving human dignity.  We also see that gender, race and ethnicity, in connection with class, constitute the structural dimensions of social inequalities, given the historical formation of capitalism in Brazil, marked by colonialism, slavery and the patriarchy.  We therefore seek to support the historically vulnerable sectors of Brazilian society, which organize according to collective identities in order to redefine their position in society and transform the social structures of oppression and exploitation, given their material and symbolic features. Other key elements of this policy include ecumenism, inter-religious dialogue and the right to religious freedom. 

When we review this policy over the next four years, we will also look at addressing the identity debate.

RIGHT TO THE CITY

CESE understands cities to be spaces of contradiction and dispute, given the imposition of a privatized model that exacerbates socio-spatial and racial segregation, based on alliances between the public authorities and market sectors. In line with the urban movements, CESE embraces a broad concept of the Right to the City, not only in the form of access to services, but also as the right to renovate and transform cities.  In this sense, this policy includes rights related to the exercise of participation in the management of cities and their economic, social, cultural and environmental components, including the right to housing, public transport and urban mobility, accessibility, education, health and so forth.

RIGHT TO WORK
AND INCOME

CESE recognizes the context of extreme social inequality, structural unemployment and the precarization of work relations within the neoliberal framework, which reflects a development model that ignores diverse ways of life and exacerbates ethnic-racial segregation and the subordination of women. We seek, through this policy, to help to guarantee the necessary conditions for the production and reproduction of life, strengthening resistance to the neoliberal model and stimulating the construction of alternatives means of production, commercialization and consumption, such as family and peasant farming, agro-ecology, the solidarity economy and the grassroots sectors, among others. 

INSTITUTIONAL
POLICIES

Institutional policies are CESE priorities that should permeate all its strategic activities in line with its benchmark policies. Here, gender, ethnic-racial and environmental dimensions are considered to be core elements, capable of linking the demands and propositions of those population sectors that have been made most vulnerable by the structures of domination and exploitation, with the strategic action undertaken in connection with our benchmark policies dealing with specific rights. Training and communications have been adopted as institutional policies, since they are viewed as practices that should feed into all the socio-political processes for grassroots organization and the demand for rights.

Gender equity

CESE recognizes the persistence of gender inequalities in Brazil, which are an obstacle to guaranteeing the human rights of women, particularly women from the grassroots sectors, and which have a more marked effect on black and indigenous women.  We therefore understand gender equity to be a guiding ethical principle for all our activities, and challenge ourselves to adopt a gender perspective in both our internal relations and our relations with partners. 

In seeking to reverse gender inequalities, we have constructed guidelines to direct our institutional practice in terms of management, ecumenical relations and inter-religious dialogue, communications, support to projects, dialogue and networking, and training.  In our political and institutional activities, we adopt a feminist concept of the social relations of gender, understanding that these express inequalities of power between men and women, to the detriment of women and social groups with non-traditional gender identities and sexual orientations.  In the area of theology, we seek to provide feedback on theological productions and the grassroots struggle, taking feminist hermeneutics and theology as one of our frames of reference, based on the affirmation of women’s dignity. 

CESE’s approach to gender is composed of the following elements: 1) Recognition of women’s right to equality and dignity before God and all humanity; 2) The importance of feminist theology, encompassing the participation of women at all levels of the church; 3) Recognition of feminism in the construction of women’s fight for equality; 4) Understanding the powerful connection between the components of class, gender and race/ethnicity in the configuration of inequalities in Brazil; 5) Commitment to strengthening the grassroots women’s movement as an autonomous political subject; 6) Recognition of the importance of including women in management posts and project activities, without creating additional workloads or exploiting the unpaid workforce. 

Socio-environmental Justice

We are finalizing our Socio-environmental Justice Policy, which will take effect over this four-year period and guide the organization’s internal and external activities.  It will ensure this issue is incorporated into our educational, dialogue and networking, and communications activities.  We will ensure this is not restricted to work in biomes or climate issues.

Training

CESE’s educational activities are informed by three sources: its own history; the ecumenical perspective; and Popular Education in its interface with the various work areas that have been developed over recent years in the grassroots movements in Brazil.  Through its Training Policy, the institution seeks to respond to the training needs of the grassroots movements, in the light of the current political situation with the fragmentation of democracy and the grassroots.  Training activities also provide an opportunity for greater approximation between CESE’s team and the groups and movements it supports, enhancing the team’s capacity to analyse their situation and the context in which they work.

Training activities are guided by the ecumenical values of justice, peace and the integrity of creation, aimed at respect for the autonomy of grassroots groups and movements and their strategies, rejecting any form of doctrinalism.  From this perspective, wherever possible, the institution’s educational activities must take account of structure, context and the political situation.  Here, we apply the theoretical framework of Liberation Theology, associated with its characteristic critique of economic developmentalism, and integrating the developments made in this theology regarding gender, race and ethnicity.  This policy also takes note of certain training organization and funding features, separated into: the organization of work themes and priority audiences; the way training activities and processes are run; self-training; the internal organizational structure; training funding; and recommendations.

Over this four-year period, at institutional level, we will seek to expand CESE’s educational activities, compiling data and exchanging methodologies.  One commitment is to strengthen our methodology, our way of doing, based on greater integration between body and mind, in dialogue with the notion of collective care. 

Racial Equity

CESE identifies and recognizes the existence of individual, institutional and structural racism within the historic construction of the State and Brazilian society, and that this racism gives rise to injustice for the black population.  The components of class, race and gender are pillars of the profound inequalities in Brazil and the foundations of racism in society.  Violence against black people, particularly women, the genocide of black youth, mass incarceration, and discrimination against Afro-Brazilian religions represent only some of the appalling expressions of Brazilian racism.  Through its Institutional Racial Equity Policy, CESE publically reasserts its commitment to the anti-racist struggle by drafting strategies to overcome racism in management, ecumenical relations and inter-religious dialogue, communications, support to projects, dialogue and networking, and training.   We seek to overcome racism and advance the promotion of justice and the guarantee of the rights of the black population, who constitute the majority of the Brazilian population. 

This policy is based on CESE’s mission and one of its ethical principles: “Equity without discrimination of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or religious creed”.  For these assumptions to be effectively guaranteed, our concept of racial equity is composed of the following elements: 1) Adopting the presumption of intersectionality between the aspects of class, gender and race/ethnicity in the structure of inequalities in Brazil; 2) Recognition of and valuing self-organization and the struggles of black movements and organizations, particularly those of black women; 3) Valuing religious diversity by combatting religious racism, promoting respect and valuing African-origin religions; 4) The expansion, alongside the christian churches, of knowledge about and experiences of Black Theology, in order to deconstruct the majority white, American and European, theology.

CESE’s racial equity policy will be expanded to include ethnicity and/or we will draft a policy aimed at the difficulties faced by indigenous people. 

Communications

Communications are seen as strategic in raising the profile of the causes defended by the grassroots movement, reasserting the importance of human rights and confronting the growing criminalization of the grassroots movements, in counterpoint to the hegemonic media and networks.  At CESE, we intend to raise awareness with our audiences, the christian churches and other expressions of faith so that they commit to human rights, particularly in a context of growing religious fundamentalism.  To this end, we host public events to give voice to the perspectives of the social movements and have joined communications collectives to enhance our relationships with grassroots communicators.  We make pronouncements through public positioning, draft and participate in campaigns, and produce content for our communication channels to promote the defence of rights. 

 
Data Protection Policy

CESE understands that the right to privacy is a Human Right, as stipulated in item 10, article 5 of the Federal Constitution, which is closely related to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Art 12). The organization already has an Information Security Policy, which we have expanded to create a Data Protection and Privacy Policy, in line with Brazil’s General Data Protection Law (Lei Geral de Proteção de Dados: LGPD).  This policy aims to provide instructions so that decisions about the organization’s information and communications security, and its management are made in line with principles and processes that ensure our activities are consistent, effective and credible.  The policy aims to address all areas of information produced and administered by the organization.  A series of commitments have been established, related to various situations in order to protect the integrity and security of the organization, the team and members of our community.

 

Networks

Brot
Wilde Ganzen
União europeia
heks eper
ibirapitanga
misereor
ford fundation
DKA
Fundo Amazônia
BNDS
Governo Brasil

Networks

Abong
Actalliance
Agro é fogo
FEBrasil
monitoramento dos direitos humanos no Brasil
comuá
Reforma politica
campanha cerrado
pad
Testimonials

SEE WHAT THEY SAY ABOUT US

Over these 50 years, we have received the gift of CESE’s presence in our communities. We are witness to how much companionship and solidarity it has invested in our territories. And this has been essential for us to carry on the struggle and defence of our people.

Marizelha Lopes Fisherwoman and Quilombola / National Coalition of Fisherwomen (Articulação Nacional das Pescadoras: ANP)

When we hear talk of the struggles of the peoples of the waters, of the forests, of the semi-arid region, of the city peripheries and of the most varied organizations, we see and hear that CESE is there, at their side, without replacing the subjects of the struggle. Supporting, creating the conditions so that they can follow their own path. It is this spirit that we, at ASA, want you to maintain. We wish you long life in this work to support transformation.

Naidison Baptista Semi-Arid Coalition (Articulação Semiárido Brasileiro: ASA)

You have to praise CESE’s capacity to find answers so as to extend support to projects from traditional peoples and communities, from family farming, from women; its recognition of the multiple meanings of the right to land, to water and to territory; the importance of citizenship and democracy, including environmental racism and the right to identity in diversity in its discussion agenda, and its support for the struggles and assertion of the values of solidarity and difference.

Maria Emília Pacheco Federation of Bodies for Social and Educational Work (Federação de Órgãos para Assistência Social e Educacional: FASE)

CESE was set up during the most violent year of the Military Dictatorship, when torture had been institutionalized, when arbitrary imprisonment, killings and the disappearance of political prisoners had intensified. The churches had the courage to come together and create an institution that could be a living witness of the Christian faith in the service of the Brazilian people.  I’m so happy that CESE has reached its 50th anniversary, improving as it matures.

Anivaldo Padilha Koinonia – Ecumenical Presence and Service (Koinonia - Presença Ecumênica e Serviço)

I am a macumba devotee, but I love being with partners whose thinking is different from ours and who respect our form of organization. CESE is one such partner: it helps to build bridges, which are so necessary to ensure that freedom, diversity, respect and solidarity can flow. These 50 years have involved a lot of struggles and the construction of a new world.

Makota Celinha National Centre of Africanity and Afro-Brazilian Resistance (Centro Nacional de Africanidade e Resistência Afro-brasileira: CENARAB)

In the name of historical and structural racism, many people look at us, black women, and think that we aren’t competent, intelligent, committed or have no identity.  Our experience with CESE is different.  We are a diverse group of black women.  We are in varied places and have varied stories! It’s important to know this and to believe in us.  Thank you CESE, for believing in us.  For seeing our plurality and investing in us.

Benilda Brito N’zinga – Black Women’s Collective of Belo Horizonte (Coletivo de Mulheres Negras de Belo Horizonte), Minas Gerais.

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