Teams with Brazil waste pickers to build university

Thanks to a groundbreaking partnership in Brazil, the University of Victoria is extending its global reach and its impacts on environmental education beyond Canada’s borders while expanding ideas of who benefits from formal education. 

UVic co-created UNICATA , or Universidade de Catadoras e Catadores, with Brazilian waste pickers-people who sift through garbage to look for recyclable materials-in 2022 and recently signed an agreement that will see UVic’s Division of Continuing Studies (DCS) issue a non-credit micro credential certificate to students who complete its educational modules. Last week, the first cohort received certificates.

In a collaboration that received the blessing of four public universities in Brazil and the support of the Ministry of Racial Justice, UVic and these institutions aim to share their educational resources to train students to develop a solid foundation in waste management, waste governance and related topics.   

The partnership is rooted in a research and community outreach She has worked over time with waste pickers to develop course materials, focusing on what they know from their experiences and what they need to learn to build better lives.

The course was co-designed with input from waste pickers to create an open and accessible learning environment. "Many hands have helped build this university," says Gutberlet.

UNICATA students take part in six, 14-week modules on topics including: the history of waste picking, waste governance and environmental issues such as sustainability, resource extraction and pollution. The courses include classroom work, experiential learning and research.

"This is the sort of thing we’re talking about at University of Victoriawhen we’re talking about having an impact globally," says UVic President Kevin Hall. "Through this partnership in Brazil, we’re helping the waste pickers build a new future for themselves and their country."

UNICATA enterprise demonstrates UVic’s commitment to  the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals including climate action. Read more about  UVic’s impact.  

this UVic News article.  

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Keywords: partnerships , international , climate , climate traction , sdg 1 , addressing poverty , sdg 8 , promoting decent work and economic growth , sdg 10 , reducing inequality

People: Jutta Gutberlet , Kevin Hall , Jo-Anne Clarke