About Us

Juca in Schools is a program developed by the International Relations undergraduate program at the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM). It seeks to promote educational development and research on Brazilian Foreign Policy, sustainability, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda in schools and communities across Santa Maria and the Central-West region of Rio Grande do Sul.

The program is guided by the principles of Education for Sustainable Development and focuses on fostering students’ autonomy through educational activities that encourage critical thinking, active participation and engagement with global challenges. Its actions include:

• Lectures, which provide schools with their first contact with Juca in Schools and the United Nations 2030 Agenda;
• Cinedebates, featuring short film screenings followed by critical discussions centered on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
• Discussion Circles,  in which students take the leading role in debates and reflections on contemporary issues;
• Adopt an SDG, an initiative that provides schools with educational booklets and activities developed by Juca in Schools and implemented throughtout the academic year;
• School Internationalization, which supports the integration of schoools in Silveira Maritns into global educational networks.

Objectives

Although foreign policy is traditionally understood as a responsibility of the State, its impacts directly affect society. Therefore, Juca in Schools seeks to democratize access to knowledge about international affairs, sustainable development, and public policies, encouraging students to understand how global challenges influence their everyday lives.

The program’s main objective is to disseminate knowledge related to International Relations, Brazilian Foreign Policy, and the United Nations 2030 Agenda among students in basic education institutions throughout the Central Region of Rio Grande do Sul. In doing so, Juca strengthens the connection between the university and society while promoting the integration of teaching, research, and extension activities.

Why Juca in Schools?

The name “Juca” honors the childhood nickname of José Maria da Silva Paranhos Júnior, the Baron of Rio Branco, one of the most influential figures in the history of Brazilian diplomacy and the patron of Brazilian Foreign Policy.

Serving as Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1902 until his death in 1912, the Baron of Rio Branco played a decisive role in shaping the country’s international relations and territorial consolidation. Known for his dedication to study, diplomacy, and public service, he remains an inspiring figure for new generations.

The choice of the name “Juca” emphasizes the connection between youth, education, and learning. Just as the young Baron would later become one of Brazil’s greatest diplomats, students are encouraged to see education as a pathway to personal growth, citizenship, and social transformation.

Our Logo

The Juca in Schools logo reflects the program’s identity by combining the profile of the Baron of Rio Branco with the image of a backward cap, a symbol commonly associated with youth and student life. This visual identity represents the meeting point between history, education, and the transformative potential of younger generations.

The logo was created by José Domingos Bazanella, an undergraduate student in International Relations at UFSM

Our Internal Organization

The Juca in Schools Program is coordinated by Professor Dr. Günther Richter Mros, a faculty member of the Department of Economics and International Relations at the Center for Social Sciences and Humanities (CCSH) of the Federal University of Santa Maria (UFSM).

In addition to faculty coordination, the program is managed by undergraduate students through an annual rotation of leadership positions. The Executive Board is composed by Isadora Brand and Rafaela Fiuza, and it’s responsible for coordinating the program’s activities, overseeing its internal organization, and ensuring the integration of all committees and commissions.

Internally, Juca in Schools is organized into four permanent committees: Communication, Human Resources, Research and Content Production, and Institutional Relations. In addition, the program operates through five commissions directly responsible for its extension activities: Lectures, Cinedebates, Discussion Circles, Adopt an SDG, and School Internationalization.

Committees

• Communication – Responsible for managing the visual identity of the Juca in Schools Program, overseeing social media platforms, developing and implementing the communication plan, and informing the public about activities and events. The committee also produces digital content and communication materials, including social media posts, stories, visual templates, and presentation materials.
• Institutional Relations – Maintains communication with UFSM and external institutions, develops presentation materials for partner organizations, identifies opportunities for participation in events and public calls, and seeks financial and institutional support to strengthen the program’s activities.
• Human Resources – Responsible for recruiting, selecting, and integrating new members into the program. It organizes training activities, coordinates selection processes, supports members in achieving project goals, promotes collaboration among committees and commissions, and monitors the overall development of the program.
• Research and Content Production – Coordinates the development of educational and academic materials, including booklets, teaching guides, educational resources, articles, reports, and content related to the program’s activities and thematic areas

Commissions

• Lectures – Organizes and conducts educational lectures and workshops in schools. The commission develops content and teaching strategies according to the theme of each activity and the characteristics of the target audience.
• Cinedebates – Coordinates film screening sessions and discussion activities. Its responsibilities include selecting audiovisual materials, organizing events, welcoming participating schools, and facilitating critical debates related to the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Discussion Circles – Organizes participatory dialogue activities that encourage students to reflect on contemporary local and global issues. Through guided discussions, students are encouraged to share perspectives, develop critical thinking skills, and engage in collaborative learning.
• Embrace a SDG – Coordinates long-term educational actions in partner schools, supporting the development of activities and projects aligned with one or more Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda.
  • Subcommittee for the School of Nova Palma – Responsible for organizing and managing the action carried out at Cândida Zasso School in Nova Palma.
  • Subcommittee for the School of Silveira Martins – Responsible for organizing and managing the action carried out at João Savegnago School in Silveira Martins.
  • Subcommittee for the School of Ivorá – Responsible for organizing and managing the action carried out at Padre Pedro Marcelino Copetti School in Ivorá. 
  • Subcommittee for the School of Dona Francisca – Responsible for organizing and managing the action carried out at Maria Ilha Baisch School in Dona Francisca. 
  • Subcommittee for the School of Formigueiro – Responsible for organizing and managing the action carried out at Oliva Lorentz Schumacher in Formigueiro.
• From Silveira Martins to the World: the internationalization of schools as a strategy for sustainable local development – This initiative seeks to strengthen local development through educational internationalization. By fostering cooperation with schools, municipalities, and institutions from other countries, the project promotes the exchange of experiences and best practices in areas such as education, public management, sustainability, health, culture, and community development. The initiative aims to establish partnerships with organizations that face similar realities and challenges, contributing to the development of innovative solutions and strengthening local public policies through international cooperation.