Brazil - Supporting human rights amongst marginalised people
In Brazil, members are working to promote human rights amongst marginalised people living in the Amazon Region. In the dioceses of Santarem and Amapa in the north, the Divine Word Missionaries addressed issues of discrimination amongst marginalised groups by setting up a project entitled ‘Courses for Agents of Justice and Peace’.
Members have undertaken training at postgraduate level in the social teachings of the church and in development. Their project, which was supported by Misean Cara, trained more than 300 people from eleven towns for nine months during 2008 on their fundamental rights as citizens of Brazil.
Amongst the participants were active community leaders from groups such as urban neighbourhood associations, women’s associations, workers’ movements and local government development agencies. Course subjects included a discussion on discrimination and racial prejudice, domestic violence, political and police violence, worker laws and questions around the reforms of prisons.
Similar training in the city of Itaituba, in the west of the state of Para in the Amazon region, was also provided to a further 120 people.