Local Conversations: Belo Horizonte 2008

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Contact: Brigid Fries: brifries@uol.com.br
April 16, 2008

Communications students at two universities held Images and Voices of Hope dialogues on Wednesday April 16 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. At Newton Paiva, a private university, 180 students in integrated media spilled out of the packed classroom. The conversations became animated as students talked about their strong desire to contribute to Brazilian society through their work. About 130 media students at PUC, the Catholic university participated in a session later that day.

In each 90 minute session, students engaged in dialogues about high points in their own lives, stories in media that moved them, and about their hopes for working in the field. They talked about what it means to have a vocation or calling in media and the ways that media professionals contribute to society.

At Newton Paiva two professors expressed an interest in becoming engaged in Images and Voices of Hope. At both schools dozens of students came up after the session to talk about how meaningful it was to them to be in this conversation and to ask if there was a way to stay involved. Cecelia (last name) has offered to be a point of contact for future meetings.