The Challenges of Constructing Participatory Democracy in Brazil by Trajectories of Environmental Education Policies

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 14
  In Poster Session: Environmental Education SIG Poster Session

Abstract

In Brazil, the institutionalization of environmental education was marked by efforts of fostering social mobilization around environmental issues. This paper aims to discuss the challenges of constructing participatory democracy in Brazil by trajectories of environmental education policies. We present the main legislation and the public structure for environmental education in the State of Rio de Janeiro, from 2007 to 2013. We overview the policies developed by the State Secretary of the Environment and present the methodology of the Elos da Cidadania Program, which was developed in public schools aiming to promote teacher and student’s participation in public environmental management. Finally, we discuss the challenges of institutionalizing critical environmental education pari passu with the current challenges of constructing democracy in Brazil.

Authors

• Inny Accioly, Universidade Federal Fluminense

• Celso Sanchez, Universidade Federal do Estado do Rio de Janeiro