Last Sunday (12), 45 socio-environmental entrepreneurs recognized by Schwab Foundation gathered at the IPÊ headquarters, in Nazaré Paulista/SP, on behalf of Learning Journey Brazil, promoted by the foundation. This was the first visit to Latin America for 45% of the group.
Maria Inês Martin, communications manager at the Schwab Foundation, explained that the visit to IPÊ is part of a program that encourages the exchange of experience among the community of entrepreneurs. “On this journey, we guide the hosts on how to run an event and on its content, but we are not experts on that country, they are, and that is great. For those coming from abroad, the programming goes beyond social innovation, also adding culture and nature, for example, as something they identify with,” she said. For the first time, the event was held in the language of the country in which the event took place, with simultaneous translation into English.
First day of the journey included a visit to Folha de São Paulo, a long-time partner of the Schwab Foundation.
On the second day, the entrepreneurs visited Favela dos Sonhos, located one hour from the city of São Paulo, to learn about the work of the NGO Gerando Falcões – a social development ecosystem – led by Eduardo Lyra – recognized by the Social Entrepreneur Award in 2020, an initiative by Folha de São Paulo in partnership with the Schwab Foundation.
Third day, Saturday 11th, was dedicated to the issue of racial equity. The group met Pretahub, a reference when it comes to black entrepreneurship, led by Adriana Barbosa, also recognized by the Schwab Foundation, and then visited Museu das Favelas, located in the Palácio dos Campos Elíseos, center of the city of São Paulo.
Fourth day, Sunday 12th, was a visit to IPÊ, where the group learned about the history of the Institute co-founded by Claudio and Suzana Padua, who were awarded with the Social Entrepreneur Award in 2009. Each participant also planted, in a symbolic way, a seedling tree native to the Atlantic Forest near IPÊ, around the Atibainha dam, which is part of the Cantareira System.
“We were very happy for this opportunity to share the work we carried out at IPÊ with this group of entrepreneurs. The possibility of exchanging experiences and learning and identifying synergies was also very interesting”, says Suzana Padua, president of IPÊ.
The event also featured a presentation by MapBiomas, led by Tasso Azevedo, another award-winning entrepreneur. Julia Shimbo, from MapBiomas, presented the work of mapping land use changes in all Brazilian biomes, as a way of contributing to conservation. Next, Yakuý Tubinanbá, guest of the Learning Journey Brazil organizing committee, spoke about the development of an Ancestral Research and Innovation Center, in Ilhéus/BA, already nicknamed “Escola Viva”.
After the presentations, the group went to the property of Sandro Trevisan, one of the beneficiaries of the Semeando Água Project, performed by IPÊ on the region. Sandro shared his own story with the group, talked about his relationship with the coffee planted by his grandmother on the property and also shared snacks, sweets and bites that he develops and sells, all based on family recipes.
The importance of Network
Environment, youth, immigration, health, food production and sanitation are among the central issues addressed by entrepreneurs recognized by the Schwab Foundation. “They are creative people who find ways to solve these problems and create a better life for everyone. However, in general, when they start to approach the Schwab Foundation – for the recognition of the Award – many of them say that entrepreneurship is a lonely journey. If one does not find a support group that shares the same values, it is indeed very difficult. With this community that brings together 450 entrepreneurs, we create a sense of belonging, they want to see a better world and dedicate their lives to that. In networks like ours, they are able to share values, the starting point of everything”, points out the communications manager at the Schwab Foundation.
