Consul General of Portugal in Rio takes diplomatic practices to IMPA Tech

26/09/2024

The Consul General of Portugal in Rio de Janeiro, Ambassador Gabriela Soares de Albergaria, took part in a round table discussion with IMPA Tech students on Thursday (26). The meeting, organized by professor Cilene Rodrigues, addressed diplomatic practices to teach students how to deal with formal discussion and problem-solving situations, especially from a collective perspective.

The talk marks the opening of the discussions that will be held until the end of the year in the Language Skills subject. “IMPA’s goal is to do science for society. In this context, this semester we are developing the first United Nations conversation model. We want to discuss the problems that affect society. The thematic tripod of the debates encompasses the production and distribution of social resources, climate change and technological advancement,” said the professor.

The Consul General opened the meeting by talking about sustainability and the Eight Millennium Development Goals. “I begin with a certain pessimism, because we have already put a thousand years on the clock to try to alleviate the current problems of the planet, which is increasingly unequal and damaged by human beings. In the 21st century, people are still dying of hunger. If we went to the moon, how can we leave people on planet Earth starving? How can we let the world be dominated mostly by men, on a planet where the majority are women?” she said.

Despite the provocation, the ambassador explained how international agendas are usually debated. “The United Nations sets a global agenda. Then specific forums think in a smaller perspective. But, in essence, the discussions are based on the same problems, there is a global identity.”

Diplomatic communication can also be used to find solutions and strengthen relations between countries, he explained. “Negotiation is fundamental. Through meetings, nations commit to defining and finding common positions to resolve conflicts. There is a huge gain for the world, because the discussions are taken to other places, other forums. There are economic, cultural and social gains.”

The diplomat also advocated greater diversity in positions of power. “I don’t know if it’s because I’m a woman, but I think that if more women occupied leadership positions, this planet would be better governed. Women are, in principle, much more conciliatory, they hate war, they hate suffering, and are therefore more open to avoiding conflict.”

The chat was led by undergraduate students, who raised topics to understand the roles played by the diplomatic corps in representing a country and to understand the function of the “I” when representing the “we”, i.e. when a person works representing a nation.

Student Laura Fernandes, 18, found the experience enriching, despite the challenge of being part of the meeting’s communications team. “It was very challenging because she is a diplomat and we are mathematicians. We had to prepare beforehand to welcome her and for all the students to participate actively in the debate,” she said.

The round table discussion with the Consul General also welcomed external students. Students from CIEP 386 Guilherme da Silveira Filho were at IMPA Tech to follow the activity. Student Enzo Santana, 17, shared his experience. “Cônsul’s story is inspiring, especially because of her background in law, which is the university I want to attend. It was an incredible moment, I learned a lot and I left here with different thoughts,” he said.

At the end of the talk, the visitors were given a tour of the facilities at Port Maravalley. “As a math teacher, I’m delighted with the whole structure and the appreciation of the subject as a career. This immersion here is fun for anyone who likes to study,” said Mariana Magalhães, a teacher at CIEP.

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