A contribuição metodista às políticas afirmativas no Brasil

Texto escrito em parceria com Beatriz Vicentini, publicado na Revista de Educação do COGEIME, n.40, jan./jun/2012 e no site Observatório da População Negra em fevereiro de 2013
 

Introdução

 O Brasil possui atualmente cerca de 191 milhões de habitantes, sendo considerado a quinta nação mais populosa do planeta. Desses, 49,5% são considerados negros pelas estatísticas governamentais,[1] categoria onde se incluem também os mulatos ou pardos. É o segundo país em população negra do mundo. Entretanto, essa presença étnica marcante não é acompanhada por uma participação econômica e social, tendo se mantido, ao longo de toda a história do país, a marca da discriminação e de condições adversas para sua ascensão social . 

Ken Yamada apresenta Almir Maia

Apresentação, pelo Dr. Ken Yamada, de Almir Maia, agraciado com o "Prêmio Ken Yamada para Lideranças Notáveis" no dia 27 de maio de 2014 em Hiroshima, Japão.

 

2014 Ken Yamada IAMSCU

Distinguished Leadership Award

Dr. Almir de Souza Maia of Brazil

The Ken Yamada Distinguished Leadership Award was created in 2011 by the lnternational Association of Methodist-related Schools, Colleges, Universities, and Theological Schools (IAMSCU), and the National Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities of the United Methodist Church (NASCUMC) of the United States of America, in recognition and appreciation of an outstanding educator who has made significant contributions to the Worldwide Methodist Mission in Education.

The IAMSCU Board of Directors unanimously approved the nomination at this 2014 International Conference in Hiroshima, Japan. lt is the highest privilege and honor for me to present The Ken Yamada Distinguished Leadership Award to: Dr. Almir de Souza Maia of Brazil.

His deep commitment, dedication, and involvement in worldwide Methodist Education, and its cause, has manifested throughout his career. What he has done, and his continuing work, is indeed extraordinary. lt is rather difficult for me to share with you an extensive list of his accomplishments not only in Methodist education, but also in State education in Brazil. I can only highlight a few of his significant achievements tonight. First is that Dr. Maia is a member of the IAMSCU founding Governing Board. His long tenure of serving on the Board has made a significant difference in the growth of this association, together with international exchange programs involving students, faculty, administration, and the governing board. IAMSCU was established in 1991 with 100 Methodist schools, colleges, universities, and theological seminaries. The Association has grown to more than 700 institutions in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and North America; student enrollment is nearly one million. lt has become the largest Protestant international network in the world.

Dr. Maia's intentional endeavor to create a collaborative network in South America generated tangible results such as high quality and dynamic leadership development. His extensive and intensive research capacity created the IAMSCU History and Archives. I am sure Dr. Maia would appreciate further inquiries about IAMSCU.

ln celebration of the 20th Anniversary of IAMSCU in 2011, Dr. Maia engaged in an extensive research project and presented the first official IAMSCU History and Archives at the 2011 IAMSCU Conference in Washington, D. C.

Second is that Dr. Maia brought together all Methodist educational institutions in South America and established the International Association of Methodist Educational lnstitutions in Latin America. The Association has been functioning superbly well to improve and strengthen its member institutions through mutual support and technical assistance.

Third is that Dr. Maia played a major role in designing and founding the first  higher education institution for Minority AfroBrazilians. He visited Clark-Atlanta University in the United States and understands the missional importance of empowering racial minorities through higher education. His pioneering spirit and determination led to founding the first higher education institution, Zumbi dos Palmares College, in Sao Paulo in 2012. This successful endeavor had a ,major impact for the civic and social lives of minority persons in Brazil and South America. The College facilitates access to higher education to minority persons. When you consider that 30% of the population in Brazil is AfroBrazilian, increasing access to higher education creates opportunities and empowers minorities, which helps the nations to prosper and improve the quality of life.

Dr. Maia, I offer my hearty congratulations on your being the 2014 recipient of the Ken Yamada Distinguished Leadership Award.

President Ted Brown and Executive Secretary Gerald Lord present this award.

Ken Yamada

May 27, 2014

ENTREVISTA PUBLICADA NO JORNAL DE PIRACICABA

8 DE JUNHO DE 2014

Série PERSONA

Jornalista: Daniele Ricci

 

Natural de Pirapetinga, pequena cidade da Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais, Almir de Souza Maia, que atuou como reitor da Unimep (Universidade Metodista de Piracicaba) de 1986 a 2002 e permaneceu até 2006 como diretor geral do IEP (Instituto Educacional Piracicabano), acredita que, na caminhada da vida, “somos influenciados e influenciamos pessoas”.  Aos 68 anos de idade, ele afirma ter sentido a alegria de receber inspiração de muita gente.