It did not take long after the Confederations Cup for the international media to lose interest in reporting on Brazil. The social, economic and political grievances did not vanish into thin air as a result. The same applies to those who are working to solve the problems. On the contrary: the protests and actions have become smaller, but more diverse.
Impressed by the huge and mostly peaceful protests, people all over the world looked to Brazil in the summer. Sparked by increases in public transport fares, a wave of demonstrations and rallies spread across the country. The number of people, the masses of people who protested against the problems in Brazil during these weeks and months surprised not only the international community, but also the people in Brazil. The time had come to express their own displeasure and displeasure.
Social and political crisis
With the media caravan moving on after the end of the Confederations Cup, international attention has practically disappeared. But the protests are not. Although they have lost in massiveness, they have gone into breadth and diversity. The crisis of political representation has become obvious.
There are answers to the burning questions
The current situation in Brazil is complex: conditions are not satisfactory and confidence in the political elite has been completely lost. Out of this seemingly hopeless situation it is only possible for certain parts of the population to name what is wrong. Others have answers that they have been formulating for years. So far they have just not been noticed.
The efforts to make a difference are not new. This is also shown by the daily work of terre des hommes schweiz with its partner organisations in Brazil. So does the partner organisation Centro Sabia, which is building up concrete future prospects in organic farming with and for young people in the north-east of Brazil. (What exactly is Centro Sabia about?).
A Flash Mob in Recife
Centro Sabia conducted a Flash Mob in the centre of Recife at the beginning of July. Among other things, a large banner was attached to the facade of a residential building and streets were closed for a short time. (see video below). The Flash Mob was entitled "Who really feeds us?" and aimed to make passers-by aware of the relationship between the city and the countryside and the problems and dangers of the agricultural industry. With the help of young men and women, 500 baskets of organic food and information brochures were distributed.
A lasting experience
What effect the protests will have on the future of the country is still open. In any case, they were a valuable experience. Many people, especially young people outside of participatory projects like Centro Sabia, have learned that the public space is a place for politics and that they can make a difference themselves.
