On October 3, experts in education and Human Rights met at the main office of Colégio Bandeirantes, Sao Paulo, to discuss ‘The Importance of Human Rights in Times of Crisis’., which marked the launch of the book ‘Direitos Humanos e Vida Cotidiana’ [Human Rights and Daily Life], by FGV Press.

The event was attended by Oscar Vilhena Vieira, professor of Constitutional Law and dean of FGV’s Sao Paulo Law School (Direito SP), Priscilla Cruz, founder and Executive President of the movement Todos pela Educação [All for Education], Ricardo Henriques, Executive Superintendent of Instituto Unibanco, and Mauro Aguiar, President of the Brazilian Association of Private Schools (Abepar) and Principal of Colégio Bandeirantes.

The book is FGV Press’ first foray in the field of textbooks. Throughout 17 chapters, the book features an objective rhetoric and specific cases to cover the core concepts related to the topic.

Developed and published in partnership with Direito SP, the book is primarily intended for High School teachers and students, but also accessible to the general public. It includes suggestions for teaching strategies to facilitate reflection and debate regarding human rights in the classroom, which were the theme of essays in the past ten years of the National High School Exam (Enem).

“Over the past five decades, Brazil has experienced several transformations, but overcoming inequality and the respect for human dignity are still major challenges that must be transposed in order to become a fairer and more egalitarian society. In light of this reality, the inclusion of human rights in formal education has become critical,” said Oscar Vilhena Vieira, Dean of Direito SP and leading expert on Human Rights in the country.

The book is part of a perspective on human rights education supported by the Brazilian National Guidelines for Education. The proposal is to help promote a culture surrounding these rights, focused on the establishment of values encompassing ethics, tolerance, solidarity, acceptance of diversity, and rejection of prejudice, violence, discrimination, inequality, and abuse.

Divided into three main sections, the book conceptualizes human rights, recurring issues that affect the daily lives of millions of Brazilians, and the challenges that a constantly-changing world imposes on discussions on the topic.

All subjects addressed in the book have been the theme of essays of the country’s main university entrance exams (vestibular) and civil service exams. “Enem’s last 10 essays somehow addressed themes related to human rights,” said the professor.

Direitos Humanos e Vida Cotidiana is published at an opportune time for society, promoting reflection on the capacity for indignation facing the challenges of a polarized country, while seeking new alternatives for social equality.

Go to the website for more information on the book, available in Portuguese.