On Wednesday (13), RenovaBR held another module of the Continuing Education for Councilors 2024, bringing together elected parliamentarians from different regions of the country in an environment of learning and exchanging experiences. The event brought together experts who addressed fundamental topics for strengthening mandates and the role of municipal representatives in the development of their communities.

Gabriel Azevedo, president of the Belo Horizonte City Council, opened the evening with a talk entitled “Oversight in the Practice of Politics.” During his speech, he highlighted the importance of personal knowledge in carrying out one’s mandate. “Not everything can be delegated to an advisor; it is essential to have personal knowledge, as this makes a substantial difference in one’s mandate. My main goal was to address urban mobility, so I needed to become an expert on the subject and understand the entire history of mobility in Belo Horizonte from the beginning,” he stated.

Azevedo stressed the need for ongoing commitment to the electorate as a whole, not just to those who voted for him. “You are a councilor for the entire city. In Brazil, we have an open-list proportional system, which allows you to receive votes from different regions. Therefore, you are a councilor for the entire city, not for a specific neighborhood, region or district. You can pay attention to what was promised during the campaign, but it is essential to understand that you represent the city as a whole,” he emphasized.

Next, Bia Valle, a journalist specializing in political communication, gave a talk entitled “Communication and Popular Engagement.” Bia stressed the importance of communication as an essential part of political strategy. “Communication is a powerful tool that can be used to pressure the mayor on important issues, create connections with colleagues, or expand the mayor’s audience. In my opinion, it is not possible to have a successful term without strong communication,” she stated.

She also highlighted the role of social media in building a direct relationship with voters. “Social media is much more than just a means of communication. It is a tool for direct contact with the public. If you have up to 30,000 followers, you can respond to comments and messages, which can be a valuable source of knowledge,” said Bia, reinforcing the importance of engaging with citizens through these platforms.

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