Representatives from various sectors contribute to the development of proposals aimed at the country’s sustainable development
Two months after its ninth anniversary, the Coalition surpassed the 400-member mark in August. Since its founding, the network has remained faithful to the principle of bringing together organizations from different sectors to discuss and develop proposals for the country’s agro-environmental agenda. The goal is to drive sustainable development and lead Brazil to become a leader in the low-carbon economy.
“The 400-member milestone shows the relevance of the Coalition and society’s interest in getting involved with the land use debate,” says co-facilitator Fernando Sampaio, director of Sustainability at the Brazilian Beef Exporters Association (Abiec).
Co-facilitator Renata Piazzon, general director of the Arapyaú Institute, praises the engagement of civil society organizations, the private sector, financial institutions, and academia in the network’s debate.
“This is a time for debate and action toward a proactive and positive agenda,” she emphasizes. “We have shown that sustainable agriculture, which reconciles nature and people, cannot be postponed. Only with the engagement of multiple stakeholders will it be possible to build a Brazil that is aware of the urgent needs and dynamics of the contemporary world.”
Sampaio echoes the importance of members’ involvement in the Coalition’s daily activities. Another fundamental issue, he stresses, is that the measures debated within the network are implemented by its members:
“More important than the number itself is that members participate actively, bringing technical proposals to the task forces. And, above all, that each member, within their sphere of influence, works to implement solutions that advance the agro-environmental agenda in the country.”
Upon joining the network, members can indicate which of the 12 task forces (TFs) they are interested in participating in. Communications about these and other Coalition activities are made via email and WhatsApp groups.
Another important moment are the two annual plenary sessions – one held between June and July; the other in December. The meetings bring together TF leaders, who provide a detailed overview of the activities carried out in previous months, as well as outline perspectives related to short- and medium-term work. The event also features a panel of experts who debate a topic that is prominent in the public eye and aligned with the Coalition’s agenda. In the last plenary session, for example, the topic was Brazil’s performance in three international conferences that will be held in the second half of the year: New York Climate Week and the UN summits on biodiversity (COP 16) and climate (COP 29).
Coalition members are also invited to participate in an annual meeting of members. The second edition was held online on August 1st. At the meeting, organizations can address questions about the movement’s governance, among other topics.
Carolle Alarcon, the network’s executive manager, considers that the Coalition plays a “unique role in the country”:
“It is an organization that does not shy away from its bold proposal, which is to unite sectors with different views on the agro-environmental agenda,” she points out. “There is not always consensus, nor is this expected. But an undeniable proof of our strength and credibility is the fact that we have reached 400 members in just nine years. This is the result of the conviction that complex problems, such as land use in Brazil, require networked solutions. And so we have become an essential locus for the discussion about a more sustainable country.”