There are no barriers to knowledge
“The time I spent in the MGG Academy was wonderful, we have built knowledge, developed skills and built solid relationships”
Maria Cândida Mousinho, Brazil, MGG 2, Professor and Researcher at the Post-Graduation Program on Energy and Environment (PGENAM/UFBA) and the Doctorate in Knowledge Diffusion (PPGDC/multi institutions partnership) at the Federal Institute of Bahia (IFBA)
Maria's change story:
There are many stories I could mention here... One of them is that, after the participation in the MGG Academy I was also part (with André, Alexandre and Cassia) of the project “Sustainability Standards and Global Governance” edited by Archna, Jorge and Johannes, which helped me a lot with my PhD research on renewable energy cooperation. My PhD thesis was transformed into a book and published last year; a copy was given to the new elected president Lula da Silva who kindly acknowledged it. Due to the referred book the Indian Embassy in Brazil invited me to a discussion in a G20 group with Gateway House India (another partner organization of the MGG Network) on energy transition and energy finance: a report will be finalized in December 2022 and, some of the ideas discussed in the MGG Network, also be a part of the discussions.
Currently I am a professor and researcher at the Doctorate Program on Knowledge Diffusion, at the post-graduation Programme on Energy and Environment and at the Federal Institute of Bahia. The surrounding is dominated by technical perspectives and natural sciences. During the pandemic I offered a virtual course for the technical students on the Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. They have not been exposed to that topic before and really loved it. Very touching. This year, my dean invited me to become an advisor for international cooperation of my institute. In this function I have a chance with my team to promoted a competition for our 22 campuses (in Bahia State) to develop a sustainable project related to at least one of the SDGs with an international context. This competition with the focus on the SDGs is completely new to our Institute which has a more than 100-year old history. The institute will offer a financial support for the implementation of the four best project proposals. Furthermore, I am a volunteer in a research project about countries and institutions who finance gender and environment projects in the Amazon region.
That is all fruit from the MGG Programme, thank you for yesterday, today and tomorrow!
What makes the MGG Network successful in enabling change?
💻 Providing the opportunity to connect
🔗 The network itself, a network of trust, which is really rare
⚒️ The transdisciplinary understanding of different topics
⚙️ The innovative way of thinking old processes in new ways
Why is your change story inspiring?
My story shows that there is no barrier for knowledge. MGG is a programme of believing, it changes our lives personally and professionally. It helps to believe in ourselves.
Find more MGG Change Stories here!