Education

Refugees and asylum seekers have the right to education according to Brazilian Law 9.474/1997. The Brazilian Educational System includes multiple levels:

  • Basic education for children and adolescents between 0 and 17 years old (Infant, Elementary and Secondary education)
  • Basic education for adults and youth (18 years old or +)
  • Technical education
  • University level

Refugees and asylum seekers with university degrees can revalidate their diplomas with the support of UNHCR and its partners.


Education for Children and Adolescents

Public Education (free of charge) for children and adolescents is divided upon three levels, according to the age:

  • Infant Education (0-5 years): includes day care centres and preschools
  • Elementary Education (6–14 years): covers State and Municipal schools, divided into years 1-9
  • Secondary Education (15-17 years): also has State and Municipal schools, and is divided into 1st – 3rd year

Go to the nearest school to your home in order to enroll your child. Bring your personal identification documents (Protocol/Carteira -Identity card/RNE, CPF).

Note that refugee children must be enrolled in school at any time in the year, even if they do not have the complete documentation required. For instance, the Brazilian refugee law determines that refugees may be exempt from presenting documents from their country of origin, as they might not possess them.


Adult Education: I am 18 years old or older and I did not finish school. Can I continue my studies in Brazil?

Yes. There is a governmental program specific for adults (18 years or +) who did not complete Elementary or Secondary School: Education for Adults and the Youth (EJA – Educação de Jovens e Adultos). The EJA is offered by state and municipal schools in presential and distance learning modalities.

If you live in São Paulo, see here.
If you live in Rio de Janeiro, see here.
If you are in other regions of the country, consult the nearest public school on the EJA program.


Technical Education: What is the technical education and how do I enroll?

The Technical Education program of Brazil (PRONATEC) provides more than 500 diverse professional courses through the country. Registration are open on an ongoing basis.

For more information on enrolment, see their website.


University Admission: How can I start or continue my studies at a Brazilian university?

Asylum Seekers and refugees can access public and private Universities in Brazil if they have already finished Secondary Education. It is advisable to have an advanced level of Portuguese, as most courses are not available in foreign languages.

Universities determine diverse modalities of entrance exams (‘Vestibular’). You should consult the requirements and documentation for each institution. The most common exam adopted is ENEM, which is carried out every year by the National Institute of Studies and Research (INEP). For more information, please see here.

In São Paulo, the organization Mafalda offers free preparatory courses for university entry exams, which are accessible to refugees and migrants. Find out more on their website.


List of universities with facilitated entrance procedures for refugees

Bahia

Universidade Federal da Bahia (UFBA)
City: 
Salvador, Vitória da Conquista e Camaçari 
Website:
 www.ufba.br/
The university has a special program for vulnerable immigrants and refugees to apply for a degree. You must have completed secundary education (or equivalent) in another country and prove the permanent or temporary humanitarian visa issued by the National Immigration Council. The ENEM is optional, but if the candidate has done so, he/she must enter the registration number. The last edital, already closed, can be accessed here.
Phone: (71) 3283.7820
E-mail: [email protected]

Distrito Federal

Universidade de Brasília (UnB)
City: Brasília
Website: http://www.unb.br/
The university has a special program that allows refugees to register as regular students. The person must be declared a refugee by the “Comitê Nacional para Refugiados” (National Committee for Refugees – CONARE) to be eligible. No candidate who has completed secondary education in Brazil will be accepted. The university fills any places arising from the dismissal and the transfer of students to other tertiary level institutions or those remaining from the “Vestibular”. Refugees admitted as students have the same rights and duties as other students at UnB.
Phone:  (61) 31070254 (Dean’s Office).

Espírito Santo

Universidade Vila Velha (UVV)

City: Vila Velha
Website: https://www.uvv.br/
The university opens entrance exams for refugees with remaining vacancies in undergraduate and technological undergraduate courses.
More information: Refugee Support Center in Espírito Santo (NUARES), Av. Commissioner José de Dantas Mello, number 21. Boa Vista, Vila Velha – ES.
Phone: (27) 99248-9654.
E-mail: [email protected]

Minas Gerais

Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora (UFJF)
City: Juiz de Fora
Website: https://www2.ufjf.br/noticias/category/concursos-ingresso/
The university has special resolutions that allow political refugees to enroll as regular students. (17/2003, UFJF High Council and 5/2004, UFJF Undergraduate Sector Council). To apply, you must complete the Enrollment Form and bring the copies of the following documents: current evidence from the National Committee for Refugees (Conare) of the status of a political refugee; current refugee / resident person’s portfolio; and a document capable of proving schooling or, if he/she does not have possession of such document, attested to the condition of admission of the Conare. Other documents may be requested later by the university. The vacancies are made available according to the annual calendar of the UFJF.
Phone: 
(32) 2102-3911
E-mail: [email protected] (Central de Atendimento – UFJF)

Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG)
City: Belo Horizonte
Website: https://www.ufmg.br/
The university provides specific places for refugees. Enrolment is restricted to those who have completed their secondary education in their country of origin up to two years prior to having their application approved by CONARE (the Brazilian National Committee for Refugees), or those who have completed the same level of study in Brazil up to two years after endorsement by CONARE. The resolution with all the information is available here.
Further Information: Public service hours: 8h30 – 11h and 13h – 16h30.
Phone: (31) 3409-4162 (DRCA).
E-mail: [email protected]

Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro (UFTM)
Cities: Uberaba and Iturama
Website: http://www2.uftm.edu.br/
The university provides specific places for refugees in various courses. The selection process for admission takes place in January. For more information, click here.
E-mail: [email protected]

Paraná

Universidade Federal da Integração Latino-Americana (UNILA)
City: Foz do Iguaçu
Website: https://portal.unila.edu.br/ingresso/refugiados
The university selects refugee and humanitarian visa people to enter UNILA’s 29 undergraduate courses. The candidates selected, summoned and registered will have priority over the other candidates, through the availability of the University’s budget, the receipt of student aid through the Pro-Rector’s Office Estudantis – PRAE / UNILA, including: food aid, housing assistance and transportation assistance. The application for the year 2020 is open until 07/18/2019 and the details can be checked in the last call for applications.
E-mail: [email protected]

Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR)
City: Curitiba
Website: http://www.ufpr.br/portalufpr/
The Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) has a project for refugees to reentry university. Students who had their studies interrupted in their country of origin can re-apply at UFPR for continuing them. Moreover, if you need financial assistance you can apply for scholarships that offer assistance for housing, transportation and food.

Universidade Estadual do Centro-Oeste do Paraná (UNICENTRO)
City:
Guarapuava and Irati
Website: https://www3.unicentro.br/
The Higher Education Access Program for CONARE-recognized refugees in face-to-face undergraduate courses establishes additional initial vacancies, according to each Department’s adherence to the program and corresponding to two per course and shift offered at Unicentro University Campuses, intended for refugees who have completed upper secondary education in their country of origin or in another country of residence. The refugee interested in occupying a vacancy in the program must apply by submitting supporting documentation, according to the deadline and other guidelines defined in a notice published by the Dean of Education. The selection of candidates interested in joining Unicentro through the program is based on the result obtained from the National High School Exam (Enem).
Phone: (42) 3621-1022 (PROEN)

Pernambuco

Faculdade Metropolitana da Grande Recife
City 
Jaboatão dos Guararapes
Website: https://www.metropolitana.edu.br/cursos/graduacao/bacharelado/
The Faculdade Metropolitana da Grande Recife is a private university that offers  scholarships of 100% in monthly fees for regular migrants to the undergraduate courses (Law, Administration, Accounting, Gastronomy, Physiotherapy, Pedagogy, Industrial Production Management, Resource Management, Human Resources Financial Management and Logistics) being one place per course.
Phone: (81)2128-0500 / 0800-500-0500
E-mail: [email protected]

Rio de Janeiro

Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF)
City:
Niterói
Website: www.uff.br
The UFF offers places for refugees recognized by CONARE through vacancies available in undergraduate courses, approval of a Portuguese course for foreigners and passing a level examination exam in content equivalent to the national high school. The refugee student must formalize their application for admission to the Protocol of the Dean of Academic Affairs (PROAC), presenting the supporting documentation attested by CONARE.
More information: Rua Prof. Marcos Waldemar Freitas Reis S / N °, Gragoatá Campus, Block E, room 412 – Niterói / RJ.
Phone: (21) 2629-2732; (21) 2629-2727; (21) 996240897.
Email: [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected]

Rio Grande do Sul

Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM)
City: Santa Maria
Website: http://site.ufsm.br/servicos/ingresso-e-reingresso
Resolution 041/2016 establishes the access of migrants and refugees in a vulnerable situation to the technical and superior education. Available here. Every year, the university publishes a specific call for refugees and immigrants in vulnerable situations. The last call for applications, already closed, can be accessed here.

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)
City: Porto Alegre
Site: http://www.ufrgs.br/prograd/edital-de-selecao-para-ingresso-de-pessoas-em-situacao-de-refugio-nos-cursos-de-graduacao
The university, through a special department on affirmative actions, opened special applications for refugees for the first time last November, 2017. There were 32 vacancies for asylum seekers and refugees in 19 graduation courses, to start in the beginning of 2018. Information available here.

Roraima

Universidade Federal de Roraima (UFRR)
City: 
Boa Vista
Site: hthttp://ufrr.br/cpv/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&id=40&Itemid=301tps://www.santiagodantas-ppgri.org/
The university presents job vacancies for refugees applicants, refugees and immigrants in vulnerable situations. The applicant must present the refugee status certificate issued by the National Committee for Refugees (CONARE) and any documents proving its regularity in Brazil as a foreigner or proof of immigration regularity by means of declaration that places him as a permanent resident in accordance with the normative resolutions of the National Immigration Council (CNIG) and the Interministerial Ordinances and Proof of completion of High School or equivalent in another country upon presentation of a certificate of completion of High School or equivalent . The last call, already closed, can be accessed here.
E-mail: [email protected]

São Paulo

Bolsa San Tiago Dantas (UNESP – UNICAMP – PUC)
City: São Paulo
Website: https://www.santiagodantas-ppgri.org/
The Postgraduate Program in International Relations San Tiago Dantas, from UNESP (Universidade Estadual Paulista), UNICAMP (Universidade Estadual de Campinas) and PUC-SP (Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo), opened, for the first time, special applications for refugees for Master and Doctorate courses during january 2018.
Further information: click here.

Universidade Católica de Santos (UNISANTOS)
City: Santos
Website: http://www.unisantos.br/portal/editais/editais-abertos/
The university offers scholarships to refugees, which pays all tuition and/or university fees for such students. As a general rule, the notice for scholarships is published in January of each year and the relevant information is available on the university website. To access the last call for applications, click here.

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)
City: Campinas
Website: www.unicamp.br
The university has opened vacancies for refugees and refugees since 1980, through a special application form on the Academic Board. It is mandatory to have refugee status already recognized and validated by CONARE (Brazilian National Committee for Refugees) when applying for a place in one of the undergraduate or postgraduate courses. It is necessary to have completed secondary education and carry supporting documentation to enroll in undergraduate courses. To apply for postgraduation courses, the candidate must have completed higher education and carry the supporting documentation. An internal committee evaluates the applications.
Further information: Public service hours: 8h45 – 22h30. Universidade Estadual de Campinas – Diretoria Acadêmica – Rua Sérgio Buarque de Holanda, 290 – Ciclo Básico II – Cidade Universitária “Zeferino Vaz”. Bairro Barão Geraldo – CEP 13083-859.
Phone: (19) 35216410 (DAC).
E-mail: [email protected]  and [email protected] (Cátedra Sérgio Vieira de Mello/UNICAMP).

Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC)
City: Santo André e São Bernardo
Website: http://www.ufabc.edu.br/
In January 2018, UFABC offered 12 places for refugees and asylum seekers through Sisu, the Unified Selection System. The vacancies were for graduation in two areas: Bachelor in Science and Technology (BC & T) and Bachelor in Sciences and Humanities (BC & H), divided between the Campi of Santo André and São Bernardo.
To enroll in the Sisu, the student must have taken the National High School Examination (Enem) of the previous year. The minimum grade in the Enem required by UFABC is 450 points in each area of knowledge and 500 in the writing.
Phone: (11) 4996-0001 / (11) 2320-6120.

Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar)
City: São Carlos
Website: http://www.ufscar.br
The University has specific vacancies for refugees on their undergraduate courses. There are, in total, 64 courses on university campus of São Carlos (distant 235km from the capital), Araras (170km from the capital), Sorocaba (102 km from São Paulo), Buri (266 km) and Lagoa do Sino (240km).
Phone: (16) 3351-8152.

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)
City: São Paulo
Website: https://www.unifesp.br/
Beginning in 2019, UNIFESP’s Refugee and Humanitarian Visa Admission Program has allocated vacancies to refugees, stateless persons and humanitarian visa holders offered by the university’s undergraduate courses. The Undergraduate Dean’s Office will publish, annually, a notice of opening of the selection process for refugees, stateless persons and holders of humanitarian visas, listing the number of vacancies offered per course and other rules and particularities.
More information: 1500 Sena Madureira Street, 1st Floor – Vila Clementino, São Paulo – SP.
Phone: (11) 3385-4101.
Email: [email protected]


Diploma Recognition

I have already finished University in my country of origin. How can I recognize my qualifications and diplomas in Brazil?

The revalidation of diplomas in Brazil is regulated by Normative Ordinance No. 22, from December 13, 2016, of the Ministry of Education (MEC). Foreign university degrees need to be revalidated by a public university in Brazil in order to be recognized in the country. Other degrees, such as Masters and PhD, can be recognized by private universities. The Ministry of Education (MEC) regulates the recognition process for all diplomas issued abroad. MEC granted autonomy to Brazilian public universities to determine the conditions for the recognition of undergraduate degrees. Therefore, the requirements related to documentation, duration of the process and field of study vary among universities. However, there are some frequent common steps to be followed in this procedure.

  1. Get informed about which Brazilian public university offers a major in the same area of knowledge of yours.
  2. Before beginning the revalidation process, you should: compare the programmatic content of the courses; analyze the test grade; verify if the course has had any class graduated (so that it is recognized by the MEC); check the price of the revalidation fee; check if the revalidation process is in full operation and, if possible, contact the course coordinator before to solve any doubts.
  3. Submit the application for recognition accompanied by your certificate of refugee issued by CONARE and all relevant documents available (such as undergraduate diploma, curriculum and university records).
  4. Universities usually charge a fee for this process, which can vary greatly among the institutions. Also, there are some universities that determined a reduction of the fee for persons in a vulnerable situation (upon self-declaration) or for recognized refugees – so the refugee should seek the best cost-benefit throughout the country.
  5. A special committee composed by university professors will evaluate your revalidation request.
  6. If there are divergences between the course taken abroad and the one offered by the university, the committee can request you to take tests (in Portuguese) or complimentary classes in order to recognize the equivalence of degrees.
  7. Some universities also require a certificate of proficiency in Portuguese language for foreigners. The CELPE-Bras is the only officially recognized Brazilian certificate of proficiency in Portuguese and is awarded at four levels: Intermediate, Upper Intermediate, Advanced and Upper Advanced. For more information, see here.

Attention: Regardless of the certificate of proficiency, it is a condition to have at least intermediate Portuguese, since the refugee may perform a revalidation test that will be applied in Portuguese.

For more information please see the website of the Brazilian Ministry of Education (in Portuguese).

Since March 2016, the NGO Compassiva started a project, in partnership with UNHCR, to provide individual assistance for refugees who wish to have their diplomas recognized. Please contact them for more information.

For more information on the procedure for diploma revalidation, please read this publication done by UNHCR and Compassiva.


Portuguese Classes

Some public institutions and NGO’s offer free basic Portuguese courses for asylum-seekers and refugees. Please find a list below. Due to the high demand for those courses, some of them will have waiting lists.

Brasília

  • IMDH (UNHCR’s partner) offers Portuguese classes and is also a registration point for other Language centers:
    • CED – Centro Educacional Fundamental (Quadra 120, Samambaia Sul; next to Furnas metro station)
    • CEDEP (Quadra 9, Conj. D, Paranoá )
    • Escola Classe (Quadra 431, Samambaia Norte)
    • Universidade de Brasília (UnB), NEPPE (Núcleo de Ensino e Pesquisa em Português para Estrangeiros). Address: Plano Piloto, Ala Central, Bloco B, 1º Andar, Sala 347; Phone: +55 61 31077321; Website: http://www.neppe.unb.br/br/
      In order to enroll in one of those courses, contact IMDH.
  • Casa São José
    Quadra 01, Vila Varjão (Bus 136.9 or 136.7 – Get off at the 1st stop entering Varjão)
    Phone: +55 61 82038926 (Natália)
  •  Universidade Católica de Brasília
    UCBQS 07, Lote 01, EPCT, Águas Claras
    Phone: +55 61 33569032

Curitiba

  • Caritas Brasileira Regional Paraná (UNHCR partner)
    Rua Paula Gomes, 703, 1º andar
    Phone: +55 41 30239907
    [email protected]
    You can learn more about Portuguese classes in Curitiba by contacting Caritas Paraná. They will be able to offer more information and guidance on how to start a Portuguese course.
  • Português para Estrangeiros (Portuguese for Foreigners) – Celin
    Rua Dr. Faivre, n° 405, 4º andar – Ed. D. Pedro II.
    Phone: +55 (41) 3360-5101 / 3360-5267
    The Portuguese classes were created by the Federal University of Paraná. For more information on how to enrol in the courses, you can either contact the number above or go directly to their address.
  • BibliASPA
    Rua Eduardo Sprada, 250 – Campo Comprido
    Phone: +55 41 33242456
    [email protected]

Porto Alegre

  • Cibai Migrações
    Rua Dr Barros Cassal, 220 – Floresta
    Phone: +55 51 3226-8800

São Paulo

  • Caritas Arquidiocesana de São Paulo, Refrence Center for Refugees (UNHCR partner)
    Address: Rua José Bonifácio, nº107, 1º andar – Centro
    Phone: +55 11 32413239
    E-mail: [email protected]
    This is where registration for most Portuguese courses in São Paulo is done. There they will be able to offer more information and guidance on how to start a Portuguese course.
  • Compassiva (UNHCR partner)
    Address: R. da Glória, 900 – Liberdade
    Phone: +55 11 25373449
    www.compassiva.org.br
  • BibliASPA
    Address: Rua Baronesa de Itu, 639 – Santa Cecília
    Phone: +55 11 996093188
  • ADUS
    Address: Av. São João, 313 (11th floor) – Centro
    Phone: +55 11 32250439

Guarulhos

  • MEMOREF (UNIFESP)
    Address: Estr. do Caminho Velho, 333 – Pimentas
    Phone: +55 11 55764848

Rio de Janeiro

  • Caritas Arquidiocesana do Rio de Janeiro (UNHCR partner)
    Address: Rua São Francisco Xavier, nº483 – Maracanã
    Phone: +55 21 25674177

Manaus

  • Pastoral do Migrante
    Address: Rua Leovegildo Coêlho, 237 – Centro
    Phone: +55 92 32327257
    E-mail: [email protected]

In addition, the Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (Paraíba State University) has launched a free online book called “Português como Língua de Acolhimento” (Portuguese as a Host Language), which can be accessed here.


Sérgio Vieira de Mello Academic Consortium

Promoting education, research and academic extension to the refugee population is one of the objectives of the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR). Since 2003, UNHCR has implemented the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair (CSVM) in cooperation with national university centers and the National Committee for Refugees (CONARE).

Currently, CSVM is comprised of 19 higher education institutions spread across nine states and the Federal District. Other universities have already presented work plans and are in the process of signing the agreement. The institutions with an active link are:

Fundação Casa de Rui Barbosa (FCRB)

The CEDPIR (Center for Studies in Immigration and Refugee Law and Policy) of the Casa de Rui Barbosa Foundation in Rio de Janeiro joined the Sergio Vieira de Melo Academic Consortium in March 2017. CEDPIR’s actions on the refuge theme are concentrated in three areas: (1) research center, developing articles, reports, and books on refuge topics, (2)  training for people who will work in the area, (3) legal assistance to refugee applicants and refugees, with daily service on weekdays, from 9 am to 6 pm.

O CEDPIR-FCRB is coordinated by professor Charles P. Gomes.

Contatos do CEDPIR-FCRB:
Address: Rua São Clemente, 134 – Botafogo – Rio de Janeiro
Facebook: www.facebook.com/cedpirfcrb/
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (21) 3289-8613

Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio de Janeiro (PUC-RJ)

The CSVM Chair of PUC-Rio carries out teaching, research and extension activities on the subject of forced migration. Undergraduate and postgraduate courses are offered, involving five departments (International Relations, Law, Arts, Social Work, and Psychology). Teachers are involved in research on eligibility, migration and refuge policy in comparative perspective, narrative, and translation, childhood, refuge and trauma issues. They organize various events and debates throughout the year, open and free, on issues of conjuncture and protection of refugees. Three service areas are currently offered to migrants and refugees residing in Rio de Janeiro: 1) Community Pre-Vestibular (with vacancies reserved for students with this profile) and preparation for ENEM; 2) Legal assistance and guidance, especially in the business and labor areas and 3) Applied Psychology Service with psychological and therapeutic care. PUC-Rio also counts on an ambulance of the Medical School, offering medical attention and exams at popular prices. The CSVM PUC-Rio announces its activities on Facebook, through the page @Refugiando.

Contacts of CSVM-PUC-RJ:
Email: [email protected] / [email protected]
Florian Hoffman: professor, International Relations Institute – PUC Rio – www.iri.puc-rio.br

Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo (PUC-SP)

The CSVM of PUC-SP has been in existence since 2004, keeping contact with several local entities and Brazilian and foreign universities. Events were held at PUC-SP, FDULisboa and the European University (Portugal). The CSVM-PUC-SP participated in meetings of the Confederation of Family Associations in Portugal and the Pontifical Council for the Family in the Vatican. In addition, a book on Immigration, Refugees and Peoples’ Equality is being prepared with a multidisciplinary view of areas of knowledge. Several personalities have been invited and received 143 articles from 11 countries in five languages.

The CSVM-PUC-SP is coordinated by Professor Marco Antonio Marques da Silva (incumbent of the Faculty of Law of PUC-SP, Constitutional Process, Fundamental Rights and Human Dignity).

Contacts of CSVM-PUC-SP:
Email: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
Telephone: (11) 3209-8482

Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Minas Gerais (PUC-Minas)

PUC Minas joined the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair in July 2019. Being considered the largest Catholic University in the world by the Vatican, PUC Minas has extensive experience in teaching, research and extension regarding the theme of refuge and international migrations. The Institutes of Social Sciences, Humanities, Biological Sciences and the Faculties of Law and Psychology of PUC Minas open their laboratories, clinics and Judicial Assistance Service (SAJ) with priority to assist refugees. In addition, the “Refugee Space”, which houses the CSVM, headquartered at the Institute of Social Sciences, helps refugees who want to reorganize their academic life and resume their studies at the university, receiving personalized support and using the institutional scholarships that the university offers. offers to the academic community. With extensive scientific production on this subject, the departments of Geography, International Relations, Social Work, Social Sciences and Law, with their respective Postgraduate programs, work intensively in the preparation of articles, monographs, dissertations and doctoral theses. In addition, PUC Minas has led a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening Brazilian and international research and collaboration networks regarding international migration and refuge.

CSVM-PUC Minas is coordinated by Professor Danny Zahreddine.

Contacts:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: (31) 3319-4069
Address: Dom José Gaspar Avenue, 500 – Building 47, room 323, Eucharistic Heart District – Belo Horizonte / MG.

Universidade Católica de Santos (UNISANTOS)

The CSVM of UNISANTOS, a reference in the refugee issue in the Baixada Santista, has a partnership with UNHCR since 2007. In 2010 it hosted the First Annual Seminary of the Chair, and in 2017 the Eighth Seminar (II Latin American Conference) of the CSVM, when it was celebrated the 20 years of the Law 9.474 / 97, the 50 years of the Protocol of 1967 on refugees and the 10 years of the CSVM of UniSantos. It develops teaching, research and extension activities, especially in Law, International Relations and Collective Health, stimulating reflection, disseminating and sensitizing on the subject of refugees. It offers differentiated entrance examination for refugees and full exemption of tuition and monthly payment. It has partnerships with NGOs that provide assistance to the refugee population, as well as fundraising campaigns for the refugee cause.

The CSVM-UNISANTOS is coordinated by Professor Denise Martin Coviello, having as deputy-coordinator the Professor Liliana Lyra Jubilut.

Contacts of CSVM-UNISANTOS:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (13) 3305-5555

Universidade do Estado do Rio de Janeiro (UERJ)

CSVM was established at UERJ in June 2017. It has the pioneering work of inter- and multidisciplinary articulation between the Faculty of Education, Institute of Linguistics, Institute of Social Medicine, Institute of Nutrition, Institute of Social Sciences, Faculty of Law and Department of International Relations, who together have been developing actions since 2014 on the theme of refuge, such as the care of refugee applicants and refugees through extension projects, thematic approaches in advanced research in postgraduate studies and in undergraduate and postgraduate courses.

A CSVM-UERJ is coordinated by professor Poliana Coeli Costa Arantes.

Contacts of CSVM-UERJ:
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (21) 98015-9973

Universidade Estadual da Paraíba (UEPB)

The UEPB has been part of the CSVM since 2014, by resolution of CONSUNI, being linked to the Nucleus of Study and Research on Environmental Displaced Persons (NEPDA). Since then, it has offered courses on forced migration and refugees in undergraduate and postgraduate courses in International Relations, as well as discussing subjects in various disciplines, publishing articles, conducting seminars and assisting, in person or not, asylum seekers, refugees, and others forced migrants in the process of integration in Brazil.

The CSVM-UEPB is coordinated by professors Andrea Pacheco Pacífico and Thalita Melo.

Contacts of CSVM-UEPB:
Site: http://nucleos.uepb.edu.br/nepda/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/professoraandrea.pachecopacifico
E-mail: [email protected] e [email protected]

Universidade Federal do ABC (UFABC)

Created in 2014, CSVM-UFABC works with a focus on local integration of refugees, especially in the ABC region of São Paulo. It is composed of the following permanent teachers: Adriana Capuano de Oliveira, Gilberto M. A. Rodrigues, José Blanes Sala, Julia Bertino Moreira and Roberta Guimarães Peres; and by the collaborating professors: Acácio Almeida, Leonardo Freire de Mello and Marilda Menezes. In teaching, it offers specific subjects in the undergraduate degree in International Relations and in the Graduate Program in Human and Social Sciences; in the extension programs, it provides a training course on migrations and refuge, as well as a Portuguese course for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants; in the research, develops collective projects, as well as individual projects of teachers and orientations of student works at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Since 2018, UFABC also offers vacancies for refugees and asylum seekers in undergraduate courses. The CSVM-UFABC is guided by a rotation regime among teachers in the exercise of coordination for a period of one year.

The CSVM-UFABC is coordinated by professor José Blanes Sala.

Contacts of CSVM-UFABC:
CSVM room: Térreo, Bloco Delta, Campus São Bernardo, UFABC
Blog: https://seminariocsvmufabc2016.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CSVMUFABC
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: (11) 2320-6371

Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES)

The CSVM-UFES was created in 2015 with the objective of promoting and disseminating, in particular, International Refugee Law, as well as developing activities that incorporate the refuge theme into the academic agenda of the institution. Among the activities, in the scope of education, it promotes lectures and events and offers the discipline International Law of Refugees and Migrants. In the research area, it counts on the research group “Refugee and Migrant Center”, from the “GETAI – International Law on Human Rights” and “Recognition: Human Rights and Affirmation (UNICEUB-UFES)”, in addition to researches linked to the Graduate Program in Law at UFES. On the extension activities, “Actions to Support Migrants and Refugees in the ES” were promoted, and the “Support and Assistance Center for Foreign Students in Ufes, Refugees and Migrants” and the “Basic Portuguese Language Course”,  were offered, free of charge.

The CSVM-UFES is coordinated by professors  Brunela Vieira de Vincenzi e Ethel Maciel.

Contacts of CSVM-UFES:
Site: www.ufes.br/cátedra-sérgio-vieira-de-mello-na-ufes
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CSVMUfes
E-mail: [email protected] e [email protected]

Universidade Federal Fluminense (UFF)

UFF joined the CSVM in August 2018. An institutional policy in the area of migration and refuge is being implemented through the “Access to Higher Education Program for Refugees, Requesters and Holders of Humanitarian Visa” linked to the Extension Office, with the proposal to broaden the thematic in teaching, research and extension, as well as sensitize groups of the Academic Community. UFF fosters the revalidation of diplomas of refugees, the entrance of refugees to the university, offers Portuguese course for refugees and insertion in the social pre-vestibular courses. The university also offers legal assistance, social service, and psychology, besides qualifying public officials and managers.

The CSVM-UFF is coordinated by Prof. Ângela Vasconcelos, with Prof. Clarissa Maria Beatriz Kowarski as deputy-coordinator and has the collaboration of Prof. Cesar Barreto.

Contacts:
Address: Rua Prof. Marcos Waldemar de Freitas Reis S/N°, Campus do Gragoatá – Bloco E, sala 412 – Niterói/RJ
Email: [email protected][email protected][email protected][email protected]
Telephone: (21) 2629-2732/ 2629-2727/ 996240897

Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR)

In September 2013, UFPR signed a Partnership Agreement with UNHCR for the implementation of the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair. In order to comply with the provisions of this Term, the CSVM at UFPR implemented the Extension and Research Program “Migratory Policy and Brazilian University”, in order to: develop policies for the reception and insertion of refugees and migrants in undergraduate and postgraduate courses; revalidate foreign diplomas; strengthen the autonomy and qualification of refugees, migrants and stateless persons and their organizations, for the formulation of migration policy.

The CSVM-UFPR is coordinated by professor Tatyana Friederich.

Contacts of CSVM-UFPR:
Address: Faculdade de Direito da UFPR, Praça Santos Andrade, 50, Centro, Curitiba
Facebook: www.facebook.com/projetohospitalidade
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
Telephones: (41) 3310-2688 / 3310-2750 / 3310-2719 / 3310-2760

Universidade Federal da Grande Dourados (UFGD)

The UFGD is present in the CSVM by means of the Faculty of Law and International Relations, developing the subject of refugees in undergraduate courses in the Faculty of Law and International Relations (FADIR), as well as in several disciplines in the course of International Relations. At the graduate level, the subject of refugees is addressed in the new Masters Frontiers and Human Rights, in the two lines of research of the course. The UFGD has been making efforts to establish a specific selection process for migrants, refugees, and humanitarian visa holders in order to fill vacancies in undergraduate and postgraduate courses at the university.

The CSVM-UFGD is coordinated by professor Hermes Moreira Júnior..

Contacts of CSVM-UFGD:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/345602188900556/?ref=bookmarks
E-mail: [email protected]
Telephone: (67) 3410-2475/ 3410-2463/ 3410-2462

Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS)

The CSVM of UFRGS works in the areas of teaching, research and extension on the theme of refuge and migrations. Among them are the IV National Seminar of CSVM-UFRGS, held in 2014; the realization of projects related to the teaching of the Portuguese language; the publication of scientific material on the subject. In addition, the CSVM works in partnership with the SAJU / UFRGS Legal Counsel to Migrants and Refugees Group (GAIRE) to conduct training, workshops, workshops on the subject of refuge and direct multidisciplinary assistance to forced migrants and refugees.

The CSVM-UFRGS is coordinated by professors Roberta Camineiro Baggio (Law School) and Veronica Korber Gonçalves (International Relations).

Contacts of CSVM-UFRGS:
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected] / [email protected]
Telephones: (51) 3308-3456 / 3308-3306

Universidade Federal de Roraima (UFRR)

The UFRR was part of the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair in May 2017. The actions of UFRR include the teaching, research and extension axes. In the field of Education, the International Law for Refugees and  Humanitarian Law disciplines are planned and approved in the Graduate Program in International Relations, and International Refugee Law at the Postgraduate in Society and Borders (PPGSOF). In the field of Research, CSVM / UFRR coordinated extensive research on Venezuelan immigrants in Roraima (along with ObMigra and CNIg) and has registered two research projects on refugees in urban centers and refugees and international migration to Roraima, in addition to having a Laboratory of Migration, Refuge and Stateless Studies (LAMIGRA). In the field of Extension, the CSVM / UFRR provides assistance to the UFRR Welcome Network in the training of students, especially regarding legal assistance provided by UFRR extension actions.

The CSVM/UFRR is coordinated by professor Gustavo da Frota Simões.

Contacts of CSVM/UFRR:
Address:  Centro de Ciências Humanas – Campus Paricarana. Av. Ene Garcez, 2413 – Boa Vista/RR
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Lamigraufrr-1940321226221661
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: (95) 3621-3453

Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC)

The CSVM of UFSC promotes actions in three axes: in education, with disciplines and courses on refuge, human rights and statelessness; in the research, with the orientation of works and research in the undergraduate, master’s and doctoral levels; and in extension, with training, events, production of didactic material and assistance to refugees, stateless persons and migrants with a humanitarian visa, in partnership with the Pastoral of the Migrant in Florianópolis.

The CSVM-UFSC is coordinated by Professor Karine de Souza Silva (International Relations).

Contacts of CSVM-UFSC:
Site: http://irene.ufsc.br/catedra-sergio-vieira-de-mello/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/eireneufsc
E-mail: [email protected][email protected][email protected]

Universidade Federal de Santa Maria (UFSM)

The CSVM of UFSM was implemented in 2015, under the initiative of the Migraidh, Teaching, Research and Extension Human Rights and International Human Mobility Group. In addition to incorporating debates on immigration and refuge in related disciplines, CSVM offers the complementary discipline of Human Mobility and Human Rights. In the research, the activities focus on the debate on the subject of immigration and refuge and on the analysis of institutional mechanisms that can respond to the challenges of immigration and refuge. In the area of extension, CSVM develops legal advisory services and general guidelines for immigrants and refugees, especially those focused on access to rights. In addition, Portuguese language classes are offered, as well as support for the construction of cultural activities for immigrants and refugees. The UFSM Program for Access to Technical and Higher Education for Refugees and Immigrants in a Vulnerable Situation was proposed, with the possibility of creating additional places in all technical and higher education courses of the university, as well as facilitating the presentation of documents so that this public has access to education.

The CSVM-UFSM is coordinated by professor Giuliana Redin.

Contacts of CSVM-UFSM:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/migraidh
E-mail: [email protected]

Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCar)

Since 2009 UFSCar has refugee students, admitted by a specific test, and from 2015 onwards it began to use the notes obtained in the ENEM. The refugee students have academic and pedagogical accompaniments. In the scope of the research, UFSCar has the Laboratory of Migration Studies (LEM), linked to the Research Group registered at the CNPQ as ‘Anthropology of Migration’, of the Post- Graduation in Anthropology from UFSCar. In terms of the extension, UFSCar offers Portuguese language courses for foreigners, as well as the dissemination of the specific admission for people in refugee status in undergraduate courses.

The CSVM-UFSCar is coordinated by professor Thaís Juliana Palomino.

Contacts of CSVM-UFSCar:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/acoesafirmativas.ufscar
E-mail: [email protected] / [email protected]
Telephone: (16) 3351-9616

Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP)

The CSVM-UNIFESP has developed actions of reception and training, in order to help the integration of refugees and asylum seekers into the Brazilian sociocultural reality. It offers health care, Portuguese courses for refugees, dissemination actions and the formation of an academic culture of reception and clarification regarding refuge themes, within the three pillars of university education (teaching, research and extension). In addition, projects for the implementation of institutional policies relating to the opening of places for refugees and revalidation of diplomas are in the process of being drawn up and approved.

The CSVM-UNIFESP is coordinated by professor João Alberto Alves Amorim.

Contacts of  CSVM-UNIFESP:
E-mail: [email protected]

Universidade do Vale do Rio dos Sinos (UNISINOS)

CSCVM-UNISINOS exists since 2011 and is linked to the Humanities School, and the courses of Philosophy and International Relations share their coordination. In addition to the creation of academic activities, courses, lectures, symposia, seminars and the production of undergraduate and specialization monographs, master’s dissertations and theses focused on migration, refuge and human rights, CSVM-UNISINOS maintains a permanent Study Group on the theme and the group LARI Migrações, both with weekly meetings. CSVM-UNISINOS works in the protection of refugees and asylum-seekers in Rio Grande do Sul, with emphasis on its monthly participation in COMIRAT meetings and the creation of the Mandatory Curriculum Internship Program of the IR Course and the UNHCR / ASAV Solidarity Resettlement Program.

The CSVM-UNISINOS is coordinated by professors Álvaro Augusto S. Paes Leme (IR), Gabriela Mezzanotti (IR), Inácio Helfer (Philosophy) and Nadia B. Menezes (IR).

Contacts of CSVM-UNISINOS:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/C%C3%A1tedra-S%C3%A9rgio-Vieira-de-Mello-Unisinos-492449730873826/?fref=ts
Email: [email protected][email protected][email protected]; e [email protected];
Telephone: (51) 3591-1122, extension 3724

Universidade de Vila Velha (UVV)

In 2004, the NUARES – Nucleus of support to refugees in Espírito Santo was created in UVV. In 2005, the UVV-CSVM began with the proposal to promote and spread the refugee issue. With this, the UVV began to act on the refuge theme in its three axes: teaching, research, and university extension. In 2010, it hosted the Second National Seminar of the CSVM with the theme “Protection and integration of refugees in Universities: Achievements and Perspectives”. In 2017 UVV completed 13 years dedicated to working with refugees.

The CSVM-UVV is coordinated by professor Viviane Mozine and by professor Rafael Simões.

Contacts of CSVM-UVV:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Cátedra-Sérgio-Vieira-de-Mello-Nuares-UVV-106517253032043
E-mail: [email protected] e [email protected]
Telephone: (27) 3421-2138

Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP)

UNICAMP joined the Sergio Vieira de Mello Chair in September 2017, including a partnership with the Municipality of Campinas – Department of Citizenship (Municipal Government) and the Campinas Metropolitan Agency (State Government). The actions of the Chair are organized by the Working Group and are based on the expansion of studies and scientific production, in the dialogue and partnerships with different actors focused on the refuge theme, in a scholarship program for university professor under the status of refuge, in teaching Portuguese, in the training of public managers, in the expansion of admission and revalidation of diplomas and in the support to refugee students in the university.

The Working Group of the CSVM is coordinated by professor Rosana Baeninger.

Contacts of CSVM-UNICAMP:
Address: Gabinete do Reitor, Cidade Universitária Zeferino Vaz, Campinas/SP
E-mail: [email protected] 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/catedraunicamp
Telephone: (19) 3521-5898

Universidade de Brasília (UnB)

UNHCR and UnB signed the cooperation agreement establishing the Sérgio Vieira de Mello Chair (CSVM) in November 2017. According to the work plan presented to UNHCR, the university will include the theme of refuge in disciplines such as “Legal Practices in Human Rights” and “Mental Health in Collective Health” and in the Postgraduate Program in Applied Linguistics of the Department of Foreign Languages and Translation (LET). It will also expand Portuguese language research as a “host language” for refugees and migrants and will create an interdisciplinary group to develop theoretical studies on psychology and migration.

As expansion activities, UnB will provide community translation services for refugees and migrants, expand the provision of Portuguese language courses and mental health services for people in situations of refuge, and offer short courses for the training of teachers who want to work in the teaching of Portuguese as the host language.

In addition, it will implement the Migrations and Frontiers Program in the Federal District, which – among other objectives – will form a bank of interpreters and develop interactive software with glossaries of strategic terms and phrases to solve daily communicative situations, including talking dictionaries and legal instruments referring to languages.

CSVM-UnB is coordinated by Professor Lúcia Barbosa.

Contacts of CSVM-UNB:
Address: UnB – Brasilia, DF, 70910-900
Email: [email protected]

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