Challenges and Possibilities for Values Education In Brazil – Lessons from some school experiences

The Vatican’s Global Compact on Education attempts to foster an understanding of existential interconnectedness and the promotion of human solidarity. This is not easy, since humanity is an evolving product of intergroup issues, and current values ​​prevalent around the world are often unfavorable. Furthermore, many historical, cultural, and institutional legacies in a country like Brazil are particularly problematic. Many studies have explored possibilities in higher education to promote the kinds of goals stated in the Global Compact. However, broad impact requires initiatives within primary and secondary education systems. The main part of this article therefore analyzes two experiments in values ​​education in primary and secondary schools in Brazil: one attempts to reach large numbers of children at low cost through an online game that promotes issues related to human values ​​for discussion; and the second experiment, on a smaller scale, attempts to promote values ​​awareness not only in specific curricular modules but also in the general functioning of the school.