A group of well informed young people came together on a Saturday morning to discuss politics. This could seem a run of the mill event but it happened on Saturday 12^th March, in Manaus, oneof the most important cities in North Brazil, the working capital of the Amazon State, on the River Amazon. This area has natural riches as well as a wealth of folklore, and is the starting point for the fabulous world of the Brazilian Amazonian region.

At 9am the ‘Hehoch Reis Forum’ held the opening lesson of the second cycle of the ‘Escola Civita’, a different way of giving formation held biannually and promoted by the Movement for Unity in Politics. This course is for young people aged between 19 and 29 to help them gain a better understanding of citizenship and an informed approach towards public life.

The students do not hold strong religious views or political interests. One student, Itagicara Jacauna,  explains why this course is important to them: “This chance for formation gives the chance to get to know and understand local politics better” another student, Vitor Kaleb, “we want to understand the future political plans for the new generations and I really hope there will be a big change on what is currently happening”.

Ten teachers representing different topics, 4 tutors and 20 students: this is the make up the new learning community that started in Manaus. Amongst the teachers there were also some politicians, such as the State Member Jose Ricardo and Ambassador Socorro Guedes.

At this event apart from the national president of the Movement for Unity in Politics, Sergio Previdi, there was Bishop Mario, the vice rector of the Federal Amazonian University, Hedinaldo Lima, politicians, professionals, and some ex students from the previous cycle of the ‘Escola Civita’ ( begun in 2007, with a total of 25 students).

The ‘Escola Civita’ in Manaus is one of the 11 held in 10 Brazilian States, there are more than 100 participants. The programme includes formation modules, local action projects and seminars. Themes centred on the actual socio-political situation in Brazil and the geo-political position in Latin America are the focus for discussion. The course runs with weekly sessions in the Federal Amazonian University in Adrianopolis.

This school run by the Movement for Unity in Politics also happens in other nations (Argentina, Korea and Italy). In each place the socio-political-cultural context is respected but there is one common objective: to deepen and practise a politics as service of unity for humanity.