At the penultimate technical meeting of the G20 Digital Economy Working Group, held in São Luís, capital of the Brazilian state of Maranhão, local students from the Educa Mais Centers (CEM) covered the event as reporters. At the press conference, students were able to interview the Minister of Communications, Juscelino Filho.
In June, the penultimate technical meeting of the G20 Working Group (WG) on Digital Economy advanced consensus on reducing inequalities in access to technology, and five students from São Luís, the capital of Maranhão, worked together to cover the G20 in the city. Accompanied by teachers and project managers from the Department of Education of Maranhão, they delved into the agendas of the Working Group, which focused on information security, artificial intelligence, and universal connectivity.
Among the students selected were Ana Luzia Damasceno, Cibelle Luiza Neves Ribeiro, and Willian Vinicius Nunes Cantanhede, students from the Educa Mais Centers (CEM) Estefânia Rosa da Silva, Almirante Tamandaré and Dayse Galvão de Sousa. The students are part of the Protagonism Club, an experience implemented in public schools in the state of Maranhão based on the students' areas of interest, which develop activities and share information and experiences, related or not to school life. At Educa Mais Centers, some students participate in the Journalism Club.
The students recorded the entire event, conducted interviews, wrote scripts, produced stories, and much more. The Minister of Communications, Juscelino Filho, attended the meeting and was interviewed by the group that integrates the Kids 20. Student William Vinicius asked the minister how debates on the digital economy impact state schools. In response, Juscelino mentioned the federal government's implementation of the National Strategy for Connected Schools, which will provide quality wireless internet to more than 138,000 Brazilian schools by 2026.
Deputy Governor and Secretary of State for Education Felipe Camarão stressed the importance of the international event to strengthen education in Maranhão. "Another excellent opportunity for state school students to develop their skills and broaden their knowledge, this time through educommunication. G20 carries out actions worldwide to promote the socio-economic development of nations, and organizing this debate in Maranhão was a great achievement. Students will carry this experience for the rest of their lives," he said.
"Participating in the G20 was a truly unforgettable experience, which allowed me to enter a universe of discussions and decisions that directly shape the world's economy and politics. This unique opportunity not only broadened my view of global dynamics but also reinforced the importance of being constantly informed and engaged on issues that cross borders. Now, I intend to take all this knowledge and learning back to our schools, sharing it with family and friends and through other communication channels," said student Cibelle Neves, from CEM Almirante Tamandaré.
