The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) and Joaquim Nabuco Foundation (Fundaj) opened today (24/3) the new branch of Casa Brasil IBGE Fundaj – Recife at the Gilberto Freyre Campus, in the Casa Forte neighborhood. 
The opening event was attended by the president of the IBGE, Marcio Pochmann; the president of Fundaj, Márcia Angela Aguiar; the vice record of the Federal University of Pernambuco, professor Moacyr Cunha de Araujo, on behalf of rector Alfredo Macedo Gomes; o the IBGE superintendent in Pernambuco, Gliner Dias and the coordinator general of the Center for Information Documentation and Dissemination (CDDI), José Daniel Castro.

The facility strengthens IBGE's strategy to expand the Casa Brasil network over the Northeast, thus expanding public access to statistical, geoscientific and knowledge produced by the Institute. The initiative also consolidates institutional cooperation with Fundaj, bringing both federal entities closer in actions related to cultural and scientific dissemination. 

During the event, the president of the IBGE highlighted the importance attributed to statatistical literacy by the institution as a way to expand population's access to and understanding of the information produced by the Institute, mainly now when Brazil has been going through deep transformations. 

“Today we are here with this partnership built over time. Casa Brasil will certainly be a reference for an innovative way to keep well informed all those who want to learn more about our country and, above all, to transform it. In this respect, we have a big challenge ahead as we are in an extremely connected society. A society of the digital era, of data centrality, of governments and societies that are more and more data-driven,” Pochmann said. 

According to the president of the IBGE, the launch of a new Casa Brasil reinforces the Institute's position of building a communication, imformation an dissemination-ased policy to be closer to the Brazilian population's reality.

“Two federal institutions such as the IBGE and Fundaj need to be together and focused on the real conolidation of democracy and of the population's will.” 

Also attending the launch ceremony were Luciana Marques, director of Social Research of Fundaj; Aida Monteiro, director of Planning and Administration of Fundaj; Paulo Rocha, president of CUT-PE; Moacyr dos Anjos, coordinator of the Museu do Homem do Nordeste (Museum of the Northeastern Man), who, on the occasion, represented the Directorate of Memory, Education, Culture and Art of Fundaj; Catarine Araújo, legislative asssistant of senator Teresa Leitão; Felipe Miranda, vice-president of Gilberto Freyre Foundation; professor Mauro Barboza, chief of office for the Presidency of Fundaj; writer José Mário Rodrigues, vice-president of the Academia Pernambucana de Letras (Pernambuco State Academy of Letters); and professor Ana Branches, director of Professional Training and Innovation of Fundaj.

The Minsiter of Education, Camilo Santana, sent a message to thank for the invitation but, due to  previosuly scheduled appointments, he was not able to attend the event. He complimented the institutions and wished the new unit success in its operations.

An interchange of ideas 

According to the president of Fundaj, Márcia Angela Aguiar, this new space helps enrichen the work of the Institute.

“Maybe waht we develop here will make this one the most interesting Casa Brasil. The living memory of ojur country can be found here at the Foundation. It is an open place for reflection about the Brazilian reality where people can have easier access to data. It will be a learning space of great relevance. We thank Pochmann for his trust.” 

The president explains that the new Casa will complement and diversify the activities conducted by the other branch of Casa Brasil IBGE, located in Recife, at the Sudene building. 

“This place does not belong only to Pernambuco, but to the Northeast and North Regions. It belongs to Brazil. Casa Brasil Sudene is important for those holding positions in the government and defining policies. Here we have something that will remain in the furure. important research and collections. It is not a way to reach Casa Brasil IBGE, but Casa Brasil IBGE Fundaj. An interchange of ideas and proposals. We have collections, museums, cinemas, activities with children. This power can turn Casa Brasil into a reference." 

With interactive information panels, computers for information search, maps and a number of digital products, the branch will grant direct access to the rich collection of the IBGE. The Institute's platforms gather about one trillion variants and 1.5 billion data, available for studies, academic production, formulation of public policies and teaching activities.

Casa Brasil will be open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, from 9 am to noon and from 1 to 4 pm; and, on Tuesdays and Thursdays, one can schedule a visit on www.ibge.gov.br/casabrasil.

The vice-rector of the Federal university of Pernambuco (UFPE), Moacyr Cunha de Araújo Filho, congratulated the institutions for this initiative. 

“That means knowing more about our history, our values. It is absolutely important as we cannot manage, guide or plan without proper knowledge." 

Besides access to content prooduced by the IBGE, Casa Brasil Fundaj – Recife will house training actions, exhibits and educational activities, integrated to campus life and expanding possibilities for the exchange of knowledge about Braxil. 

Now the IBGE has seven branches of Casa Brasil IBGE. Three other ones are in the Northeast Region: in Sudene, in Recife; one in Fortaleza (CE); and one in  Salvador (BA). The remaining ones are in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), Juiz de Fora (MG) and Belém (PA). Created to promote democratization of access to statistical and geoscientific information, the network reinforces the interlocution between data production, academic research and society.  

Watch the inauguration ceremony: