UFSC representatives appointed to the Presidential Council for Sustainable Social and Economic Development (CDESS)
Four representatives from the Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC) will be sworn in as members of the Council for Sustainable Social and Economic Development (CDESS) on 5 August 2025, at the Planalto Palace in Brasília. The Vice-Rector Joana Célia dos Passos, Professor Marcelo Henrique Romano Tragtenberg, doctoral student João Carlos Nogueira – from the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Human Sciences (PPGICH) – and Ligia Moreiras Sena, a graduate of the doctoral programs in Collective Health and Pharmacology, will be officially appointed to the Council by the President of Brazil. This strategic forum plays a key role in advising the President by developing recommendations on public policies aimed at Brazil’s sustainable development.
Joana Célia dos Passos and Marcelo Tragtenberg are joining the CDESS for the first time, while João Carlos Nogueira and Ligia Moreiras Sena are beginning their second terms. The first three are also associated with the Antonieta de Barros Chair at UFSC, and Sena contributed to the formulation of the National Integrated Policy for Early Childhood, signed by President Lula in 2024. The UFSC representatives will join a body whose mission is to strengthen ties between the Federal Government and civil society, promoting plural dialogue among different sectors and contributing to the formulation of proposals essential for economic, social, and environmental progress.
The composition of the Council reflects a commitment to territorial, ethnic, racial, and gender diversity, ensuring it is representative and inclusive. Currently, 40% of its members are women and 30% are mixed race, Black, or Indigenous.
In addition to its diverse membership, the Council is organized into five Thematic Committees: Economic Affairs; Combating Inequalities; Law and Democracy; Environment and Sustainable Development; and Technology and Digital Transformation. These committees analyze government initiatives, develop specific recommendations, deepen debates, and offer solutions on topics such as energy transition and early childhood.
The appointments reaffirm UFSC’s commitment to developing public policies based on interdisciplinary knowledge and social inclusion. The presence of UFSC representatives in the CDESS not only highlights the University’s role as a leading voice in national debates but also provides opportunities to help shape guidelines and propose actions that positively impact the country, fostering economic growth, social justice, and environmental sustainability.
Rector’s Office – Press Service / SECOM
imprensa.gr@contato.ufsc.br
Translated by SINTER/UFSC.
Read the original article here.
