Social G20, a Brazilian initiative, kicks off in Rio
From Thursday to Saturday (Nov. 14–16), Rio de Janeiro will host the Social G20, an innovation by the Brazilian government. Its program boasts a wide range of activities.
Brazil is chairing the G20 summit for the first time since 2008. Under the presidency of different nations in the past, society met in initiatives parallel to the official program. After the introduction of the Social G20, these assemblies were integrated into the schedule, broadening the dialog between countries and society. Around 50 thousand people from Brazil and around the world are expected to attend.
The 13 engagement groups making up the Social G20 are: C20 (society), T20 (think tanks), Y20 (youth), W20 (women), L20 (labor), U20 (cities), B20 (business), S20 (sciences), Startup20 (startups), P20 (parliaments), SAI20 (accounting courts), and the newest J20 (supreme courts) and O20 (oceans).
“The big photograph of the G20 will be the Social G20 in Brazil. It will be one of the great legacies that Brazil’s presidency will leave for the forum. I hope that this photograph is as plural as possible, takes place as part of the democratic debate, respectful of the political process, and effectively contributing to changing people’s lives for the better,” said Márcio Macêdo, President Lula’s secretary-general.
A large portion of the three-day program is made up of self-managed activities proposed by different social organizations. At the end, a summary should be presented. It will then be delivered to the governments of all nations at the G20 Leaders’ Summit, to be held in Rio de Janeiro on November 18 and 19, bringing the period of Brazil’s presidency to a close.
The event is expected to feature 271 activities presented by different sectors of society in Brazil and other countries. Among the topics to be discussed are environmental justice, health equity, the fight against racism and colonialism, LGBTQIAPN+ rights, and equal pay.
Plenary sessions are scheduled for Friday (15), to be attended by government ministers, on the three priorities for Brazil in its term as president of the G20: fighting hunger, poverty and inequality; sustainability, climate change, and a just transition; and reforming global governance.
*Léo Rodrigues contributed to this article.
