April 25 50 Years: Looking into the Past, Thinking about the Future | Experiences of Popular Education: The Centre of Studies on Education and Culture (C.E.E.C., Porto) | 27 October – 3:00 PM

The first Colloquium of the Cycle April 25 50 Years: Looking into the Past, Thinking about the Future will take place on October 27, at 3:00 PM, at the Aljube Museum – Resistência e Liberdade, under the theme Experiences of Popular Education: The Centre of Studies Education and Culture (C.E.E.C., Porto).

The period of democratic transition in Portugal, particularly between 25 April 1974 and 25 November 1975, was marked by a strong perception of utopian experience that included the educational field. In order to deepen the democratic process, it was necessary to develop various forms of participation, namely through the education of adults, enhancing their greater involvement in the new political life of the country. In this sense, besides initiatives of a more state-oriented nature, various experiences of popular education with local organisation were developed, promoted by neighbourhood committees, workers’ committees and other associative organisations with a focus on the cultural field.

In this Colloquium, hosted by Inês Vieira, we will discuss one of these experiences, the Centre Centre of Studies Education and Culture (C.E.E.C.), which operated in Porto during the democratic transition period. In addition to the available documentation on the C.E.E.C. (the Centre’s bulletins and newspaper, press articles), José Ferreira will share memories of his experience as an active member of the C.E.E.C. during its operation, situating literacy initiatives in the set of local activities and dynamics of this organisation, from cultural animation of residents’ committees to actions in the struggle for housing and occupations for the creation of socio-educational facilities.

Participation in the Colloquium is free, but limited to the availability of places and with prior registration at: https://forms.gle/4KDn9XjWmgaRZWMM7