In September, a Brazilian delegation, made up of representatives from the Process of International Networking and Dialogue – PAD, the Coalition for Monitoring Human Rights in Brazil, the National Human Rights Movement – MNDH and SOS Corpo, took part in a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland, with representatives from the ACT Alliance, the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation. Participants included ACT’s General Secretary, Advocacy Officer, who is leading on the WCC water theme, and Leads on Gender Equality, Evangelization, Indigenous Peoples, People with Disabilities, and Climate Change.
The Brazilian delegation highlighted the importance of dialogue with church leaders in response to the context in Brazil, which is influenced by religious fundamentalism, which, in turn, influences political behaviour in the National Congress. Fundamentalism also encourages support for the development model, which impacts on traditional communities and territories through mining and the exploitation of water, forests and land.