Unicamp and the Public Defender's Office of the State of São Paulo have begun a process of rapprochement that could result in the establishment of partnerships in several areas. On the afternoon of this Wednesday (15), the rector of Unicamp, Paulo Cesar Montagner, received the public defenders Fernanda Simoni and Camila Watanabe, responsible for the agency's agreements advisory. According to Montagner, the institutions can cooperate in the areas of teaching, research and extension.
The Public Defender's Office offers comprehensive and free legal guidance to vulnerable populations, working to promote human rights and defend individual and collective rights through legal and extrajudicial means. It currently has thematic units ranging from racial equality and diversity to issues related to housing and urban planning, or the prison system (see full table below). Today, the Public Defender's Office is present in 52 municipalities in the state of São Paulo.
According to the rector, there are many possibilities for collaboration. "Not only because of the importance of the issues the Public Defender's Office works with, but above all because of the University's role in contributing to the State and to society."
Montagner believes the meeting was productive. “We were able to explore major areas of work in different fields, and I am confident that we can contribute our expertise – in health, labor issues, sustainability programs, among others – to the important work carried out by the Public Defender's Office,” he stated.
According to Camila Watanabe, the knowledge produced at the University "is fundamental" in the process of expanding the service. According to her, the University can contribute to the development of public policies in various areas, offer technical support, issue reports related to health, housing, and urban planning, or even assist in the dispensing of medications. Watanabe mentions that the Public Defender's Office already has an agreement with USP in the area of urban violence.
“Unicamp is a leading university in several areas, producing knowledge in many fields and excelling in the three pillars of teaching, research, and outreach,” says Watanabe. “Our main partnership ends up being in the legal field. However, since we work on very different fronts, we need technical knowledge from various other specialties. Because of this, we are making this move to connect with other universities,” explains Simoni.
The meeting included the participation of the pro-rectors Ana Frattini (Research), Mônica Cotta (Undergraduate Studies) and Sylvia Furegatti (Proeec).
Thematic areas of the Public Defender's Office
Consumer defense
Rights of the elderly and people with disabilities.
Promoting and defending women's rights.
Prison situation
Second Instance and Superior Courts
Housing and Urban Planning
Childhood and youth
Citizenship and Human Rights
Promoting racial equality and defending the rights of traditional peoples and communities.
Center for the defense of sexual and gender diversity
Source: Public Defender's Office of the State of São Paulo
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