The presentation of candidates for the Cesena 2024 list for the next local elections continues. This time it’s Valdo Bonfim’s turn, who, as we read in a note, “brings light-heartedness, skills and above all life stories. From the Brazilian favelas, to ambassador of peace for Brazil for the Children’s Forum within the United Nations, always with that look towards children and their rights. A man who has seen and experienced a lot, ready to start from his own experience to give a future and correct growth to the many children of Cesena who he meets thanks to his profession and his personality”
How did you approach Cesena 2024?
“I approached the list thanks to the deputy mayor Christian Castorri, who gave me the opportunity to get to know the group. The ideals found perfectly reflected my own, which is why I didn’t hesitate to be part of it.”
What will your commitment be within the group?
“As a non-EU citizen, I would like to dedicate myself to problems relating to the interculturality and multimedia of foreign populations in Cesena. Many people have lived here for years, but still don’t have the right to vote, it’s unacceptable. With my commitment, I would like to try to give them concrete answers, especially regarding integration, respect for the rules and coexistence between everyone. I want to fight for a safe city.”
Your profession?
“I am still a teacher at an elementary school in Cesena.”
Could you tell us about your journey?
“I left Rio after taking part in Eco 92, a climate summit organized by the United Nations, and becoming a threat to the large militiamen (a kind of South American mafia) who were starting to take over territories in Rio’s favelas. In the same year 1992 I participated as a messenger of peace in the climate conference. After that, many people were struck by my story of fighting for survival within the favela, including Mr. Roger Moore, film actor and ambassador for Unicef. Together with the Norwegian consulate, in Rio it paid for my studies to enter the United Nations as a peace ambassador and represent Brazil in various commissions on children’s rights. In 1993, after becoming a public figure, I defended children’s rights at various conferences. There was a massacre of minors known as “chacina da Candelaria” in front of a church in the center of Rio, where some street kids were killed. As an ambassador of peace I had to say something and there began a period of threats, I was annoying someone. I got in touch with friends at the UN who initially transferred me to Switzerland. Then in 1994, with the help of two Italian priests, I went to Perugia to study at the university for foreigners. I lived there until 2006, graduating with a degree in anthropology and continuing as a peace messenger for the Children’s Forum within the United Nations, both in New York and Geneva. In 2007 I moved to Cesena, where I am still a primary school teacher and continue to fight for citizens’ rights. As an anthropologist I am a freelance researcher on various issues relating to children’s rights, and above all a defender of a policy on possible integration, because we are all citizens of the world.
What values do you try to convey to kids?
“I want to convey to them the anthropology of behavior. She must start with her family and then continue to school. The Covid period was very difficult for them, losing many social principles. In the following period, side effects such as anger and violence prevailed; I want to transform their pain into a survival experience. Only education keeps children and young people away from social problems. I want to be an authoritative and non-authoritarian teacher, sharing my life experience and demonstrating how certain hardships can be overcome.”
