Projeto Conhecer para Sustentar: Diário de Bordo

The Conhecer para Sustentar project is a Bunge Foundation initiative aimed at understanding the issues related to the strong rainfall that affected Santa Catarina state in 2008.

A differential in the project is the fact that the proposal is not aimed at asking for donations or exploiting the tragic dimensions of the event. With a more encompassing view, the Conhecer para Sustentar: Itajaí Valley project is based on three foundations aimed at understanding in depth the causes and proposing actions that result in a balanced interaction between people and Nature. The foundations are:

• disseminating knowledge and lessons resulting from the floods, from a technical and scientific standpoint,
• presenting possible solutions to minimize the social, economic and ecologic impacts arising from the floods,
• proposing a pro-active agenda for sustainable urban actions.

This orientation reflects Bunge Foundation's position in its activities: To feed ideas is to sustain the world. The project is centered in Gaspar, as one of the townships most affected by the tragedy, and where the Bunge Foods HQ is located.

Divided into three phases, the Conhecer para Sustentar: Itajaí Valley project will result in knowledge and concrete actions of extreme importance to the region and to communities in Santa Catarina, Brazil and the world.

1st phase - Sustainable urban actions
At this stage the Indio da Costa architecture and urbanization office will produce a plan for recovery and sustainable urban development in the Sertão Verde area, called Master Plan.

The signature of the Term of Commitment by the Bunge Foundation, Bunge Foods and the Gaspar Administration takes place in May 2009, while the presentation of a proposal for the involved communities is slated for August 2009.

2nd phase - Dissemination of knowledge
Sharing knowledge and ideas is one foundation of the Conhecer para Sustentar: Itajaí Valley project. A multi-task team is working in the production of a report book that will detail the historical and geographical context of the floods, as well as a description of the event and subsequent victim-aid mobilization, the strategies for reconstruction and proposals for a new sustainable form of urban development.

Audiovisual materials are being produced along with the book, with interviews of those involved: specialists, geologists, biologists, meteorologists, climatologists, historians and government authorities, among others. The project includes the production of a documentary and TV programs on the issue.

Acquired knowledge will be made public through seminars, which will lead to debates on sustainable development in the Itajaí Valley, Brazil and the world.

3rd phase - Eco-efficient construction
As part of the Master Plan, the Angélica Sousa Costa Public School, destroyed by the strong rainfall, will be rebuilt in accordance with an architectural project based on eco-efficiency and sustainability. The school is part of the Educational Community program, a Bunge Foundation sustainable schools program.