Founded in 1951, the Association of Diplomats from the Brazilian College of Military Studies (ADESG) has the mission of engaging the graduates of the College of Military Studies (ESG) – an institution associated with the Brazilian Ministry of Defense that serves as a center for study and research. Each year, the members of ADESG mobilize efforts to discuss issues of national interest at a convention. In 2013, the 12th edition of the event, which was held in Bahia from October 28-31, chose the theme “Development and Sustainability: Education and the Environment for the 21st Century. 

“The programming at the event used as a reference the actions supported by the Bahia Southern Lowlands Environmental Protection Area Mosaic Program for Development and Growth Integrated with Sustainability (PDCIS), supported by the Odebrecht Foundation and public and private partners. Some 200 people, mostly representatives from ADESG in the different Brazilian states, listened to lectures about the model that seeks to promote the generation of jobs and income, high quality rural education and the construction of a more just and united society, aligned with the conservation of natural resources.

Benivaldo Santos, age 25 and former student of the Presidente Tancredo Neves Rural Family Home (CFR-PTN), was one of those benefitted by PDCIS and took part in the convention to share his own story. “I don’t want to leave the region,” said Santos. “I have established a bond of trust with my community and over these past years, I have achieved many things,” said Santos, a resident of Ouro Preto, located in the municipality of Presidente Tancredo Neves. The young rural entrepreneur financed a 20-hectare property and is seeking out sustainability in the place he calls homes. “The transformation seen in people’s lives is the most important thing,” emphasized Pedro Berwanger, President of ADESG.

The event was also marked by the signing of a Cooperation Agreement on October 30 between the National ADESG and the Odebrecht Foundation. “The partnership aims to replicate the PDCIS model, adapting it to the regions through the association’s units,” said Berwanger. Ricardo Cabral, Admiral of the Brazilian Navy and the President-Elect for the next ADESG term of office, added: “For Brazilian society, this joining of efforts can only produce benefits.” 

Mauricio Medeiros, Executive Chair of the Odebrecht Foundation, believes that the major differential of PDCIS is its innovative Participative Governance system. “The social fabric is strengthened when we have the opportunity for governments, civil society and companies to work together and help promote development and growth integrated with sustainability, with a focus on social inclusion,” said Medeiros.