The Foundation for the Conservation of Biodiversity (BIOFUND) is participating, from 21 to 25 July 2025, in the 8th International Congress on Environmental Education of Portuguese-Speaking Countries and Communities, taking place in the city of Manaus, capital of the State of Amazonas, Brazil, at the facilities of the Matias Machline Foundation. The Congress brings together around 3,000 participants from nine Lusophone countries: Angola, Brazil, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste. Galicia (an autonomous region located in the northwest of Spain) is also present at the congress. It is one of the largest international forums dedicated to cultural, scientific, and institutional exchange among nations that share the Portuguese language.

Under the theme “Environmental Education and Local Action: Responses to the Climate Emergency, Environmental Justice, Democracy, and Well-Being”, the congress aims to promote dialogue on transformative Environmental Education practices, strengthen collaboration networks, and present concrete responses to climate and socio-environmental crises, with a focus on Environmental Justice and civic participation.

This Congress represents an important and highly relevant preparatory stage towards COP 30, which will take place in Belém do Pará, Brazil, in November of the current year. In this context, the Congress seeks to align visions, strategies, and commitments of Lusophone countries in the fight against climate change, reinforcing the role of Environmental Education and multilateral cooperation as pillars for a more sustainable planet.

BIOFUND is participating with support from the MozNorte project, integrating a delegation composed of: Alexandra Jorge (Programmes Director), Jéssica Julaia (Monitoring and Evaluation Manager), Ernesto Chauque (Monitoring and Evaluation Officer), Rosalina Chavana (Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialist), and Geny Alexandre Macezeia (Scholar of the MozNorte project). Throughout the five days of the congress, the team will engage in plenary sessions, thematic workshops, mini-courses, and field visits, representing Mozambique in collaboration with other institutions that are part of the Mozambican Delegation led by the Secretary of State for Land and Environment, Gustavo Dgedge.

During the congress, BIOFUND will share relevant experiences accumulated over the last 10 years in the field of biodiversity conservation, specifically Environmental Education.

The importance of education at all levels was widely highlighted during the opening session of the Congress. In her opening speech, the Brazilian Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, emphasised that:

“Climate Change is no longer a future threat, but a reality lived today. Despite the diversity in the scope of action, all participating institutions share the same objective: Educating for Sustainability.”

May this congress inspire each participant to return to their contexts with renewed commitment and transformative action, for the good of the planet and future generations.

Learn more about the congress through the link:
https://www.even3.com.br/viii-congresso-internacional-de-educacao-ambiental-dos-paises-e-comunidades-de-lingua-portuguesa-483904/