The II Congress Humanism, Human Rights and Citizenship, organized by CeiED, took place on the 28th and 29^th of October. The event had 256 registered participants. The sessions, exclusively online through the Zoom platform, had many participants and the quality of the interventions and guest speakers was praised by moderators and participants.

On the first day, the session included the institutional opening and welcome by the Rector of the Lusófona University, Professor Mário Moutinho, the Scientific Director of CeiED, Professor António Teodoro and the event coordinator Jacinto Serrão. The morning continued with the opening conference by Dr. Álvaro Laborinho Lúcio, former Minister of Justice and Member of Parliament. The conference articulated the themes of humanism, human rights and citizenship, in a reflection and debate on current concerns. The author questioned different dimensions of the experience of contemporaneity and how affects several areas of research, from education, sociology, economics, technological development, among others. The day also included a presentation of the Paulo Freire centenary celebrations and the activities planned throughout this academic year and two thematic panels (on Citizenship and Development and Religions).

The second day began with the opening conference of the Thematic Panel – Education and Inclusion, moderated by Isabel Sanches. The Secretary of State for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities, Ana Sofia Antunes, who could not be present in person due to scheduling incompatibility, left her testimony in the form of a recording transmitted to the participants. The conference highlighted the importance of inclusion in school and professional contexts and in all areas that influence the experience and civic participation and presented some of the public policies and strategies in progress. Throughout the day, participants had the opportunity to listen to speakers with diverse experiences and backgrounds and from different countries, inserted in three thematic panels on Education and Inclusion, Fundamental Human Rights and Social Intervention and Politics and Ideology. The closing session was attended by the Deputy Secretary of State for Education, João Costa, who presented the future perspective for a more inclusive, quality education that developing everyone’s ability to deal with the challenges of contemporary society and develop skills.

During the two days, there were also four sessions of oral presentations of communications. The congress had 86 approved abstracts and interventions from different scientific areas from students, teachers and researchers from several institutions from Portugal, Brazil, Spain, Angola, Mozambique, among others. The participants presented research at different stages of development and with different approaches. The moderators and participants highlighted the quality of the interventions and the debate.

At the end of the second day, the congress coordinator, Jacinto Serrão and the Executive Director of CeiED, Doctor Elsa Estrela, made a balance of the event and thanked all the participants.

Throughout the congress participants were encouraged to leave their comments, suggestions, opinions or exchange ideas with the other participants, through Padlet. Participants shared photos of the event, links and articles/books related to the congress themes and left comments and testimonials of their participation in the congress and also thanks to the speakers and the organisation.

Testimonies:

“Thank you very much Mr. Álvaro Laborinho Lúcio for your brilliant intervention. You left us with many questions and many topics for reflection, in these complex times in which we live. – Maria Adelina Manuel

“It was with great pleasure that I participated in this congress. With very varied participations, although with similar themes, it gave us a broad vision of Humanism, Human Rights and Citizenship. It is always an enrichment to know different perspectives on “old” themes that are never exhausted and that are constantly challenging us. I thank all the speakers for their willingness to share their research and their work with all of us. Congratulations to the organization and to Lusófona University for the excellent choice of guests”. – Maria Fernanda Craveiro

“Congratulations on the Congress! Great reflections!” – Emillyn Rosa