After singer and activist Maria Gadu delivered an emotional speech and performed her song “Axé acappela”, representatives of the 8 Working Groups of the Concertation presented their main activities in 2021 and expectations for 2022. One point in common is their intention to deepen the connection and exchange of ideas between all the groups assembled.

The Narratives WG, facilitated by Julia Sekula and Ilona Szabó (Instituto Igarapé), highlighted the inspirational meetings that sought to understand the existing narratives and the possibilities for imagining the Amazon. For 2022, the group wishes to establish a strategic core to formulate and test messages and create the first version of its decalogue/manifesto.

The Education WG, facilitated by Fernanda Rennó (Instituto Arapyaú), reinforced the definition of their main goal: positioning education as a fundamental pillar for the development of the Amazon. Among the aspirations for 2022 is the structuring of the strategic and operational planning, specifying the main focuses of the WG.

The Political Intelligence WG, facilitated by RAPS (Political Action Network for Sustainability), emphasized the 29 virtual meetings held with more than 15 organizations to address socio-environmental issues, in addition to debates and monitoring reports. In 2022, the group intends to expand the number of organizations in their virtual meetings, improve spaces for debate and the exchange of ideas, among other developments.

Facilitated by Inaiê Santos and Carolina Genin, the Bioeconomy WG reported on its leading role in initiatives such as the I Investment Innovations in the Amazon Bioeconomy Forum (F2iBAM), in addition to the papers published and their participation in national and international events. The 2022 agenda includes the creation of subgroups to further explore strategic issues.

In turn, the Private Sector Engagement WG, facilitated by CEBDS (Brazilian Business Council for Sustainable Development), highlighted the launching of the Business Sector´s Positioning on the Amazon and the definition of its main purpose: Fighting Against Illegal Deforestation and Promoting an Inclusive and Regenerative Economy. The 2022 planning encompasses advocacy actions, project matchmaking between companies and including subject Amazon in their letter to the presidential candidates.

For the recently created Youth WG, facilitated by the Em Movimento network and Marcella Santos, the highlight was the creation of the WG itself and the great number of young people who attended COP26. Their main challenges for 2022 are thoroughly engaging Youths in the Concertation, thinking of actions that have a positive impact on the Amazon and the youths that live in it, among others.

The Territorial Organization and Land Title Regularization WG, facilitated by Carolina Graça, mentioned, among their main activities, the alignment of their purpose, the discussions, conversation circles and publications. For 2022, the group intends to improve published materials, engage with stakeholders and implement pilot projects.

At last, the Culture WG, facilitated by Fernanda Rennó, underscored its participation in national and international events, as well as the composition of the Concertation´s spaces, actions and products ripe with art and life stories. In 2022, in addition to maintaining the strong influence of local culture in the Concertation, the group also wishes to take the opposite direction, disseminating the Concertation themes to regional communities.

The plenary session ended with the network’s perspectives for the next year, presented by Lívia Pagotto. In addition to expanding the number of participants, the aim is to advance internationalization, implement structuring actions by the WGs, strengthen the Concertation platform as a space for knowledge and meeting of and about the Amazon, review document An Agenda for the Development of the Amazon by leaders of the indigenous peoples and youth leaders, among others.