The seminar "Climate Crisis and Global Inequalities: Educating for a Solidary Way of Life," organized by AIDGLOBAL, took place successfully on October 8th, gathering around 30 participants—teachers, students, activists, experts, and representatives from various NGOs—at the Lisbon Youth Center, IPDJ. The event is part of the European project "Re:Thinking Global" funded by the European Union's Erasmus+ program and aimed at rethinking sustainable and solidarity-driven practices in response to the climate crisis and global inequalities.
Throughout the day, panels and a roundtable discussion highlighted the importance of a solidarity-driven way of life as a key to building a more ethical and sustainable society. Gabriel Medeiros, from the Higher Institute of Economics and Management at the University of Lisbon (ISEG - UL), opened the event with a talk on the unsustainability of the current global economic system, which generates social and economic inequalities, climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and resource shortages. He emphasized the urgent need for a paradigm shift in consumption and production practices. Medeiros pointed out that the "imperial way of life," as described by authors such as Ulrich Brand and Markus Wissen, is responsible for many current ecological and social crises, perpetuating the exploitation of natural and human resources.
The roundtable "Lifestyles and Consumption," featuring activist Hans Eickhoff, advocate lawyer and climate activist Mariana Gomes, and educator Joana Simões Piedade, was one of the event's most impactful moments. Eickhoff critically analyzed the economic system of infinite growth, while Mariana Gomes discussed the responsibility of governments in enforcing climate laws, highlighting her organization's recent lawsuit against the Portuguese state for failing to comply with the Climate Framework Law. Joana Simões Piedade followed by offering a perspective focused on human rights and social justice, linking the increase in migration with climate change, which is more acutely felt in Global South countries.
Another highlight of the seminar was the presentation by João Gonçalo Soutinho, activist and founder of VERDE — Association for Integrated Nature Conservation, who shared his experience with the nature conservation project "Gigantes Verdes" (Green Giants), focused on preserving large trees in Portugal. His presentation emphasized the impact each tree has on the ecosystem, not only by producing oxygen essential for life but also by providing shelter and food for many living beings that are crucial for the balance of nature. The presentation allowed participants to reflect on how disconnection from the environment leads to increased wildfires, pollution, and intense exploitation of limited natural resources.
The final panel was presented by Mónica Santos Silva from the Marquês de Valle Flor Institute and Catarina António from the Faith and Cooperation Foundation. They emphasized education as a key factor in social transformation and sustainability, reinforcing the importance of education in raising awareness and empowering younger generations to adopt more sustainable and solidarity-based practices.
The AIDGLOBAL team also led the "Global Domino" activity, which aimed to explore the global challenges faced by local entrepreneurs, understand the pillars of sustainability and how they connect, reflect on the impact of individual actions, and discuss the importance of gender equality and human rights.
The seminar underscored the importance of educating for a more solidary way of life, capable of addressing global crises and promoting a fairer future. AIDGLOBAL expressed its satisfaction with the engagement and participation of all attendees, highlighting that this is just the beginning of an ongoing effort to promote meaningful change through education and awareness. The event concluded with a call for collective action to address global challenges with solidarity and responsibility, inviting all participants to reflect on and implement the ideas discussed in their communities and professional contexts.
