The return of the Economic and Social Development Council marks the return of civil society to the debate on Brazil's development.

Nara Lacerda, Brazil of Fact - The re-establishment of the Council for Sustainable Economic and Social Development (CDESS) symbolizes a process of resuming social participation in government decisions that can be considered historic for Brazil.  

 Speaking to Brasil de Fato, members of the new "Conselhão," as the group is nicknamed, reaffirm that the country is once again considering Brazilian diversity in political debate and ensuring that society is heard in the development of public policies.  

 Nalu Faria, of the World March of Women and a member of the CDESS, states that the inclusion of sustainability in the collective's agenda is a sign that the government is seeking a comprehensive reconstruction of democracy. According to her, the willingness of public authorities is an important starting point for dialogue.  

>>> "In this country you can talk about anything, except interest rates," Lula said at the first meeting of the Economic and Social Development Council, criticizing the Central Bank.

 "It's important that a space like this, even though it's so heterogeneous, allows for dialogue and has a starting point for that dialogue: a government that is proposing to change Brazil. We debated this so much during the pandemic, as the economic and social dimensions are inseparable. In this sense, a space for dialogue like this is important for clarifying debates and seeking to build common visions, as well as for dealing with tensions."

 Ayala Ferreira, a member of the national coordination team of the Landless Workers' Movement (MST) and also a councilor, says the re-creation of the Conselhão represents a unique moment for the national development project. According to her, the movement hopes that the space will represent a dialogue with diversity without compromising structural principles.

 "Today's event was a powerful resumption of the Council, representing sectors of the business community, rural social movements such as the MST (Landless Workers' Movement), the labor movement, research institutions, and a range of individuals representing the diversity that makes up the sectors of Brazilian society. The council's great effort is to consider economic development while taking care of these social dimensions and confronting profound inequalities, with the environmental agenda as its foundation and pillars."

 Twenty years ago, when the first version of the forum was created, Brazil had never experienced such close ties between civil society and government action. At the time, some economic challenges, such as hyperinflation, had already been overcome, but inequality remained significant. 

 According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), data from 2000 to 2003 indicate that more than half of the population lived in poverty in 32,6% of Brazilian municipalities. The country was the eighth most unequal nation on the planet. 

 In this context, social participation was essential to a development agenda. It represented one of the elements of the equation that removed Brazil from the hunger map and reduced extreme poverty by 75% by 2014, according to data from the United Nations (UN).

 In some ways, the reality facing the new Conselhão resembles that of twenty years ago. Following the dismantling and defunding implemented since the coup against Dilma Rousseff (Workers' Party) and further intensified under the Jair Bolsonaro (Political Party) administration, more than 33 million people are now living in food insecurity, and nearly 30% of the population has a per capita household income of less than R$497 per month, as shown in a study by the Getúlio Vargas Foundation.

 Raimundo Bonfim, general coordinator of the Central de Movimentos Populares and member of the CDESS, states that the role of civil society in the country's reconstruction is even more important after four years of conservative management in which public consultation spaces were eliminated.  

 "Especially after an authoritarian government that led the country to the hunger map, it's crucial to reestablish this space for dialogue and debate with society. These are representatives who have different views on politics, the economy, social issues, and the environment. But it's through this divergent debate that we can build a pact to develop and formulate public policies for economic development, job creation, the fight against hunger, and social inclusion." 

 Sérgio Nobre, president of the Central Única dos Trabalhadores and also a member of the Council, agrees that strengthening democracy is only possible with popular participation. 

 "There is no democratic government without popular participation, without social participation, and the Conselhão represents exactly that: the influence of organized society on federal government decisions. It is yet another commitment President Lula made to the Brazilian people during the 2022 campaign, now a reality."  

 The Conselhão has over 240 members, including representatives of grassroots movements, business leaders, human rights and environmental organizations, and the market. It is chaired by Lula, and also includes Vice President Geraldo Alckmin (PSB) and Minister Alexandre Padilha (Institutional Relations) as government representatives.