{"id":1661,"date":"2024-10-14T12:42:44","date_gmt":"2024-10-14T12:42:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/?p=1661"},"modified":"2024-10-14T12:45:14","modified_gmt":"2024-10-14T12:45:14","slug":"education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/","title":{"rendered":"Education as a catalyst for social equity"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong>(PT\/ENG)<\/strong> <strong>In this engaging exchange between students from Brazil and India, Ashley de Souza and Anirban Nandi explore the critical issue of social inequality through the lens of education, aligning with the United Nations\u2019 Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education. Ashley shares her reflections on the challenges Brazil faces regarding unequal access to education and its historical roots, while Anirban provides insights into the situation in India, emphasizing the impact of socioeconomic disparities and government initiatives. Their correspondence offers a rich perspective on how education can act as a catalyst for social equity in diverse global contexts.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-luminous-vivid-orange-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-01761d5ac6f3bf96f61fe1926947ad09\"><strong>Letter 1<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>17<sup>th<\/sup>April 2024<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oi Anirban,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Me chamo Ashley Souza, moro em Recife, uma das principais cidades do estado de Pernambuco, que fica localizado no nordeste brasileiro. O Brasil \u00e9 um pa\u00eds de propor\u00e7\u00f5es continentais, temos 26 estados brasileiros ,mas cada um possui caracter\u00edsticas culturais e econ\u00f4micas \u00fanicas, o que consequentemente resulta em uma desigualdade social bem alarmante. Hoje, o Brasil se encontra na posi\u00e7\u00e3o de pa\u00eds subdesenvolvido, n\u00e3o pela aus\u00eancia do dinheiro ,mas sim, pela falta de uma distribui\u00e7\u00e3o mais equitativa entre os estados. Infelizmente, mesmo com grandes centros tecnol\u00f3gicos e econ\u00f4micos como as cidades de S\u00e3o Paulo e Recife, ainda \u00e9 poss\u00edvel observar lugares nos quais faltam \u00e1gua e energia el\u00e9trica para as pessoas sobreviverem. Sinto que viver em um pa\u00eds assim, com grandes abismos econ\u00f4micos me gera um sentimento de tristeza por n\u00e3o conseguir normalizar o fato de que pessoas ainda morram de fome enquanto outras consomem carne com folhas de ouro.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Infelizmente, a nossa desigualdade social tem liga\u00e7\u00e3o hist\u00f3rica com a nossa forma\u00e7\u00e3o como pa\u00eds independente. O Brasil foi col\u00f4nia de Portugal por muitos anos, o que nos resultou em um processo de explora\u00e7\u00e3o da terra e das pessoas. Por haver naquela \u00e9poca o dom\u00ednio de Portugal sobre o territ\u00f3rio, era normalizado o uso de pessoas vindas da \u00c1frica, e aqui se tornavam escravizadas, para servirem como m\u00e3o de obra, sem nenhum direito sobre si pr\u00f3prio. Por\u00e9m, com o fim da escravid\u00e3o e o processo de independ\u00eancia do pa\u00eds no s\u00e9culo XIX, o Brasil se viu sem nenhum plano de desenvolvimento social. As pessoas que aqui estavam n\u00e3o possu\u00edam resid\u00eancia, nem lugar para ir, o que resultou na ida de muitos para os grandes morros afastados dos centros, construindo moradias prec\u00e1rias o que ,hoje, s\u00e3o as chamadas favelas brasileiras. Al\u00e9m do mais ,houve tamb\u00e9m, um crescimento econ\u00f4mico descentralizado em algumas regi\u00f5es o que afetou ,ainda mais, a igualdade social do pa\u00eds como um todo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Penso muito sobre o quanto a perman\u00eancia da desigualdade social afeta o desenvolvimento do pa\u00eds. Para mim, a maior consequ\u00eancia disso \u00e9 a falta de acesso \u00e0 educa\u00e7\u00e3o p\u00fablica de qualidade para todos os brasileiros. S\u00e3o poucas pessoas de baixa renda que conseguem chegar a uma universidade, na maioria das vezes, muitos abandonam a escola e desistem do sonho de ter uma profiss\u00e3o com forma\u00e7\u00e3o acad\u00eamica para trabalhar e ajudar no sustento da casa , ainda na adolesc\u00eancia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As diferen\u00e7as de classes sociais separam muito os cidad\u00e3os. Eles n\u00e3o se reconhecem como pertencentes a mesma coisa. As pessoas mais ricas acreditam que as mais pobres s\u00e3o um problema ,pois para elas n\u00e3o conseguir ter uma estabilidade econ\u00f4mica tem rela\u00e7\u00e3o com a falta de esfor\u00e7o e de luta para alcan\u00e7ar os objetivos (o que eu chamo de mito da meritocracia, j\u00e1 que em um pa\u00eds como o Brasil \u00e9 imposs\u00edvel de funcionar ,visto que, n\u00e3o s\u00e3o fornecidas as mesmas condi\u00e7\u00f5es de igualdade pra ocorrer uma competi\u00e7\u00e3o). E as pessoas mais pobres enxergam nas mais ricas a culpa pela situa\u00e7\u00e3o em que elas vivem. N\u00e3o conseguem compreender o processo em que a desigualdade foi constru\u00edda no Brasil, e que a falta de uni\u00e3o entre os cidad\u00e3os brasileiros faz com que todos se anulem do combate ao real problema.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hoje, a atual pol\u00edtica tenta minimizar a desigualdade social a partir do incentivo a programas do governo, que oferecem aux\u00edlios econ\u00f4micos \u00e0s fam\u00edlias de baixa renda. Essa ajuda financeira acontece para as fam\u00edlias que possuem crian\u00e7as em escolas p\u00fablicas, pois assim auxiliam elas a se manterem alimentadas e dentro das escolas ( aqui esse programa assistencial \u00e9 chamado de \u201cbolsa fam\u00edlia\u201d).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Por\u00e9m, ainda \u00e9 muito pouco comparado \u00e0 riqueza do pa\u00eds e a quantidade de pessoas em baixa e extrema pobreza. Me incomoda muito o fato do Brasil ser um dos maiores exportadores de alimentos e ainda ter cidad\u00e3os brasileiros morrendo de fome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Estou ansiosa para saber como as coisas acontecem no seu pa\u00eds!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Gostaria de saber se voc\u00ea acha poss\u00edvel haver uma redu\u00e7\u00e3o significativa da desigualdade social em seu pa\u00eds?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Existe alguma pol\u00edtica p\u00fablica de combate \u00e0 desigualdade social na \u00cdndia?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>\u00c9 comum haver a discuss\u00e3o sobre o problema da desigualdade social a\u00ed na \u00cdndia?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-165aef931ee6f1367d35f8ac8816ad5c\"><strong>Letter 2<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ranchi, 24-04-2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To: Ashley de Souza<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Topic: Societal inequality &amp; its impact on quality education in India<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dear Ashley,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Greetings from India! I hope this letter finds you well. I&#8217;m delighted to receive your insightful letter sharing the perspective of Brazil on social inequality and its impact on quality education. I am glad to hear your thoughts and I am so overwhelmed that your words resonated deeply with me, and I appreciate you taking the time to provide such a comprehensive understanding of the challenges your country faces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Before deep-diving into further discussion about the topic, I want to give you a brief introduction about myself. I am Anirban Nandi, 26 years old, currently pursuing my Post Graduation Diploma in Human Resource Management from Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), Ranchi. I have just completed my first year in the course and will enter into my 2nd year of the course in the coming month of July. I have work experience of 3 years as a software developer and now want to take my role further in Human Resource Management. My hobbies include painting, reading novels, and travelling and I have a specific interest in the collection of postcards and fridge magnets from the places where I travelled. You will be amazed to hear that there is a very strong bond exists between India and Brazil and the common connection is our passion and love for football. You will be amazed to hear that most of the Indians support Brazil in the Football World Cup and we all are die-hard fans of the Brazilian aesthetics in football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>India is situated at the head of the Indian Ocean in the continent of Asia and is often termed the Indian subcontinent. It is divided into 28 states and 8 union territories and all of them are culturally extremely different from each other \u2013 in terms of languages, religious practices, foods, and clothing, and this gives us a sense of cultural diversity, a true sense of \u201cAll-in-one\u201d but also it is one of the major reasons of different issues in Indian society as identified by you in Brazil as well. Though India is the 5th largest economy in the world still the country is facing huge challenges revolving around poverty, illiteracy, corruption, inequality, gender discrimination, terrorism, casteism, unemployment, communalism, drug abuse and violence against minority groups by the majority group in different areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here in India, the situation is not too dissimilar. Despite being a rapidly developing nation, we too grapple with the challenges of widespread poverty, inequitable access to resources, and a vast economic divide between the privileged and the underprivileged sections of society. India is a diverse nation as I have previously mentioned, with multiple cultures, religions, and languages coexisting. While this diversity is a source of our rich heritage, it has also contributed to complex social stratification and disparities. The caste system, which has its roots in ancient Hindu traditions, has played a significant role in perpetuating inequalities, with certain communities facing systemic discrimination and marginalization for generations. Sharing a kind of similar background to Brazil, India was a British colony for more than 200 years which led to the continual degradation of its wealth, increased poverty and caste discrimination increases more rapidly which was fueled by the colonizers for their own benefit. The reservation of specific castes in education and government jobs makes it more complex in today\u2019s scenario. Though the constitution tries to bring back the underprivileged classes to the main Indian societal flow through these initiatives, the malpractices of the same cause the continuity of caste discrimination in education and jobs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the major challenges we face is ensuring access to quality education for all. Like in Brazil, many children from poor backgrounds are forced to drop out of school due to financial constraints or the necessity to contribute to their family&#8217;s income. This vicious cycle of poverty and lack of education continues to hinder social mobility and perpetuate inequalities. Population explosion in India is one of the major reasons which plays a crucial role in this journey of inequality &amp; inequity. There is a significant lack of interest from the rich classes here in India also to take proper initiatives for their poor counterparts and they try to detach them from them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, India faces challenges in terms of gender inequality, with women often facing discrimination and limited access to resources, education, and employment opportunities. Although progress has been made in recent years, there is still a long way to go in achieving true gender equality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, the Indian government has implemented various initiatives to combat social inequality and promote inclusive education. The Right to Education Act (RTE) aims to ensure free and compulsory education for all children between the ages of 6 and 14. Additionally, programs like the Mid-Day Meal Scheme provide nutritious meals to students, encouraging attendance and retention in government schools. The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) has been implemented, which guarantees 100 days of wage employment to rural households and has played a crucial role in alleviating poverty and promoting inclusive growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While these measures have made a positive impact, there is still a long road ahead. Economic disparities, deep-rooted cultural beliefs, and lack of awareness continue to hinder progress. Discussions on social inequality are becoming more prevalent, particularly among the younger generation, who are increasingly vocal about these issues and demanding systemic changes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In my opinion, addressing social inequality requires a multi-pronged approach that includes policy reforms, investment in education and healthcare, and a shift in societal mindsets. Though the government has taken various initiatives as above mentioned because of multiple factors, societal inequality is still prevalent, and it took a significant amount of time to minimize it further. It requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders \u2013 the government, civil society, and individual citizens \u2013 to challenge deep-rooted prejudices, promote inclusive policies, and foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility towards building a more just and equitable society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is essential to foster an environment of inclusivity, where every individual, regardless of their background, has equal opportunities to thrive and contribute to the nation&#8217;s development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I hope I have answered all of your questions. I&#8217;m interested to learn more about your perspectives and experiences. Here are a few questions through which I wanted to know your perspective \u2013<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In your opinion, what role can education play in bridging the social and economic divides in Brazil?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Are there any successful grassroots or community-led initiatives in Brazil that are working towards promoting social equality and uplifting marginalized communities?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>How can we, as global citizens, contribute to the fight against social inequality and promote a more just and equitable world?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I sincerely look forward to continuing our enriching exchange of ideas and learning more about the challenges and approaches in our respective countries. Till then, wish you good luck and happiness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Warm Regards,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anirban<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-luminous-vivid-orange-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-069db02886c5b9e054cc04f508bbfb38\"><strong>Letter 3<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Para: Anirban Nandi Recife, 08\/05\/2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Oi Anirban! Adorei receber a sua carta e saber um pouco mais sobre voc\u00ea e sua hist\u00f3ria, n\u00e3o sabia que o Brasil e a \u00cdndia podiam ter tanto em comum. Acho que na minha primeira carta acabei esquecendo de me apresentar um pouco mais, bom, tenho 22 anos e atualmente fa\u00e7o faculdade de arquitetura e urbanismo na Universidade Cat\u00f3lica de Pernambuco, estou no meu segundo ano e amo atuar nessa \u00e1rea de arquitetura ,mas sempre fui uma pessoa com m\u00faltiplos gostos e um deles \u00e9 o estudo da sociedade. AMEI saber que voc\u00ea gosta de arte ( \u00e9 a minha paix\u00e3o tamb\u00e9m). A sua carta me fez refletir bastante o quanto as quest\u00f5es hist\u00f3ricas refletem nos dias atuais, pois n\u00e3o tinha dimens\u00e3o sobre o quanto a \u00cdndia carregava consigo certas problem\u00e1ticas que nem deveriam existir neste s\u00e9culo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Um ponto que me chamou a aten\u00e7\u00e3o na sua carta foi voc\u00ea relatar que a \u00cdndia \u00e9 considerada a quinta maior economia do mundo, ou seja, os problemas de desigualdade n\u00e3o s\u00e3o ligados a falta de dinheiro, como aqui no Brasil,mas sim, a n\u00e3o reparti\u00e7\u00e3o igualit\u00e1ria para as pessoas. Infelizmente, n\u00e3o h\u00e1 como iniciar qualquer discuss\u00e3o sobre a busca por educa\u00e7\u00e3o de qualidade sem citar o processo de desigualdade social. Isso porque, observo que ao longo da constru\u00e7\u00e3o social do Brasil ( e acredito que a \u00cdndia tamb\u00e9m se assemelha) a educa\u00e7\u00e3o sempre esteve voltada como forma de domina\u00e7\u00e3o , ou seja, muitas lideran\u00e7as pol\u00edticas preferiam ter uma popula\u00e7\u00e3o sem acesso \u00e0 educa\u00e7\u00e3o como forma de facilitar a manipula\u00e7\u00e3o do povo e assim perpetuar a explora\u00e7\u00e3o da m\u00e3o de obra mais barata. \u00c9 muito comum ver pessoas que n\u00e3o chegaram a concluir o n\u00edvel b\u00e1sico de ensino ,devido a falta de acesso \u00e0 escola. A educa\u00e7\u00e3o \u00e9 um processo longo, que leva anos de escola e dedica\u00e7\u00e3o,mas a fome \u00e9 algo que bate na porta , hoje , ela \u00e9 urgente e por isso muitos desistem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Observo que n\u00e3o \u00e9 uma prioridade no Brasil ter uma educa\u00e7\u00e3o p\u00fablica de qualidade, ter pessoas pensantes faz com que a sociedade n\u00e3o aceite qualquer coisa, e isso resultaria em uma grande mudan\u00e7a pol\u00edtica aqui no pa\u00eds. O nosso sistema atual de ensino \u00e9 falho, n\u00e3o existe um planejamento, al\u00e9m de estar longe da realidade, por exemplo, hoje, com todo avan\u00e7o tecnol\u00f3gico e operacional, grandes ind\u00fastrias e empresas ,na maioria das vezes, tem a necessidade de importar profissionais qualificados em outros pa\u00edses devido a falta de brasileiros com certifica\u00e7\u00e3o, o que ao meu ver \u00e9 algo bem s\u00e9rio principalmente aqui em Recife ,capital em que vivo, pois temos um dos maiores polos de tecnologia do pa\u00eds ( at\u00e9 brincamos dizendo ser o vale do Sil\u00edcio brasileiro kkk) ,mas n\u00e3o h\u00e1 um projeto educacional voltado na qualifica\u00e7\u00e3o de brasileiros para as necessidades do atual mercado de trabalho.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aqui no Brasil existem escolas p\u00fablicas em todos os n\u00edveis de ensino, por\u00e9m, elas costumam ser prec\u00e1rias, com p\u00e9ssimas estruturas e profissionais , que devido a baixa remunera\u00e7\u00e3o e valoriza\u00e7\u00e3o, n\u00e3o procuram fazer algo realmente transformador.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Os n\u00edveis de evas\u00e3o escolar tamb\u00e9m s\u00e3o bem amplos oque atinge, principalmente, a camada mais pobre da sociedade. Para ter um pouco de no\u00e7\u00e3o sobre a situa\u00e7\u00e3o, temos ainda cerca de 10 milh\u00f5es de pessoas analfabetas que n\u00e3o sabem nem ler nem escrever, dentro desse n\u00famero a maioria s\u00e3o as pessoas pretas e pardas que vivem nas periferias e interior do pa\u00eds. \u00c9 um valor bem alto ainda diante da capacidade econ\u00f4mica que o Brasil possui. Aqui as discrimina\u00e7\u00f5es de g\u00eanero n\u00e3o s\u00e3o t\u00e3o fortes, como voc\u00ea pontuou que era na \u00cdndia, mas as discrimina\u00e7\u00f5es raciais sim! As pessoas pretas ,infelizmente, sofrem muito com o preconceito e o acesso a certas profiss\u00f5es. As Universidades P\u00fablicas at\u00e9 destinam uma cota racial no n\u00famero de ingressantes nos cursos ,como uma forma de ampliar o acesso de pretos e pardos ao ensino de gradua\u00e7\u00e3o, mas ainda \u00e9 muito pouco.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Para mim, atingir a meta proposta pela ONU de ter uma educa\u00e7\u00e3o inclusiva, equitativa e de qualidade at\u00e9 2030 \u00e9 um pouco improv\u00e1vel de acontecer aqui no Brasil. Isso devido \u00e0s in\u00fameras problem\u00e1ticas b\u00e1sicas que ocorrem aqui como descrevi acima. Acredito que precisaria de um esfor\u00e7o coletivo entre o p\u00fablico e o privado para conseguir enfrentar a problem\u00e1tica da educa\u00e7\u00e3o.Por\u00e9m, com as camadas mais ricas \u00e9 invi\u00e1vel contar com esse apoio, j\u00e1 que para eles \u00e9 ben\u00e9fico existir a desigualdade educacional. Hoje, o Brasil se encontra em uma situa\u00e7\u00e3o de polaridade pol\u00edtica o que enfraquece qualquer discuss\u00e3o sobre temas sociais.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Portanto, \u00e9 imprescind\u00edvel que a educa\u00e7\u00e3o seja uma prioridade tanto aqui quanto na \u00cdndia, pois o acesso ao ensino de qualidade \u00e9 o caminho para a constru\u00e7\u00e3o de um pa\u00eds melhor, com redu\u00e7\u00e3o da desigualdade social e o fim da extrema pobreza, as pessoas ,assim,teriam a chance de conseguir mudar de vida ,al\u00e9m de, criarem uma maior consci\u00eancia pol\u00edtica e social. Um outro fator positivo em investir na educa\u00e7\u00e3o \u00e9 a quest\u00e3o econ\u00f4mica, que faria com que o pa\u00eds sa\u00edsse da periferia do capitalismo e n\u00e3o se restringiria a apenas um exportador de commodities mas tamb\u00e9m de m\u00e3o de obra qualificada, que geraria mais empregos e consequentemente uma maior movimenta\u00e7\u00e3o econ\u00f4mica igualit\u00e1ria.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Aqui no Brasil temos alguns programas sociais de incentivo a educa\u00e7\u00e3o em todos os n\u00edveis de ensino, como o \u201cBolsa Fam\u00edlia\u2019\u2019- que destina uma verba para fam\u00edlias que recebem menos de sal\u00e1rio m\u00ednimo (R$ 200,00 reais por pessoa) e uma das regras para ter acesso ao benef\u00edcio \u00e9 ter as crian\u00e7as da fam\u00edlia com frequ\u00eancia nas escolas. Existe tamb\u00e9m o FIES- que funciona como um empr\u00e9stimo estudantil para gradua\u00e7\u00e3o em universidades particulares e o PROUNI- que s\u00e3o bolsas universit\u00e1rias dadas pelo governo para quem concluiu o ensino em redes p\u00fablicas de ensino.Mas ,ainda n\u00e3o \u00e9 o suficiente para reduzir a falta de acesso ao ensino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>N\u00f3s cidad\u00e3os podemos contribuir fomentando discuss\u00f5es sobre a import\u00e2ncia de uma educa\u00e7\u00e3o justa e de qualidade, e entender tamb\u00e9m a necessidade do voto para o pa\u00eds (aqui o voto \u00e9 obrigat\u00f3rio) , buscando mais a fundo quem s\u00e3o os pol\u00edticos que n\u00f3s elegemos para os cargos p\u00fablicos. \u00c9 um processo de desempenho de micropol\u00edtica, pois a constru\u00e7\u00e3o do pa\u00eds \u00e9 de responsabilidade de todos n\u00f3s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Por parte do governo do seu pa\u00eds e estado qual a posi\u00e7\u00e3o em rela\u00e7\u00e3o ao fim da desvaloriza\u00e7\u00e3o da educa\u00e7\u00e3o? s\u00e3o a favor ou contra?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Existe algum programa social que estimule o acesso \u00e0 educa\u00e7\u00e3o na \u00cdndia?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&#8211; Para voc\u00ea,como n\u00f3s cidad\u00e3os podemos atuar para solucionar o problema da educa\u00e7\u00e3o?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>OBS:<\/strong> at\u00e9 o momento em que estou escrevendo essa carta, est\u00e1 ocorrendo uma greve dos professores das universidades em todo pa\u00eds, eles reivindicam aumento salarial e todos os alunos est\u00e3o com aulas suspensas at\u00e9 que ocorra um acordo final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Para mim, foi um grande prazer ter essa troca de experi\u00eancias com voc\u00ea, adorei conhecer um pouco mais sobre voc\u00ea e seu pa\u00eds espero um dia, inclusive, visit\u00e1-lo. Se tiver qualquer outra d\u00favida pode me perguntar. Te desejo felicidades, um grande abra\u00e7o!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ashley Souza<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-vivid-cyan-blue-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-cdd24e529de22c1986a725adc456fac1\"><strong>Letter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Ranchi, 22-05-2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To: Ashley de Souza<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Topic: Government Responsibility, Social Programs &amp; Citizen\u2019s Initiatives in Education Program<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dear Ashley,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I hope this letter finds you well! I was delighted to receive your heartfelt letter \u2013 finally a glimpse of you as a person and a profound insight into the educational challenges faced by Brazil. It&#8217;s remarkable how, despite our geographical distance, we share similar concerns and aspirations regarding access to quality education for all. Your letter has not only deepened my understanding of the Brazilian context but has also prompted me to reflect on the situation in India.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You raised some pertinent questions about the Indian government&#8217;s stance on education, social programs, and the role of citizens in addressing this crucial issue. Allow me to provide you with an Indian perspective, drawing from my experiences and observations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Indian government has acknowledged the paramount importance of education and has taken various initiatives to improve access and quality. However, the implementation and impact of these initiatives have been uneven across different states and regions, reflecting the vast diversity and complexities of our nation. The central government has launched programs like the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (Education for All Movement) which aims to universalize elementary education by providing infrastructure, resources, and support to improve enrolment, retention, and quality of education across the country and the Midday Meal Scheme to encourage enrollment and retention in government and government-aided schools, provides free lunches to students particularly in underprivileged areas. This initiative also addresses issues of hunger and malnutrition. Also, Indian government has initiated cash transfer programs like the Dhanalakshmi scheme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the Right to Education Act (RTE) in 2009 marked a significant milestone by making free and compulsory education a fundamental right for children aged 6 to 14. There has also been a growing recognition of the importance of early childhood education, with programs like the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) providing nutrition, health, and pre-school education to children under the age of 6.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While this legislation was a commendable step, the quality of education remains a persistent concern due to factors such as inadequate infrastructure, teacher shortages &amp; absenteeism, and outdated curricula that fail to equip students with the skills specifically critical thinking &amp;practical skill which is required for the 21st century and ultimately leads to high dropout rates, particularly among marginalized communities. The quality of education remains a concern, with a significant disparity between urban and rural areas, as well as between private and public institutions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Like Brazil, India also grapples with deep-rooted socioeconomic disparities that profoundly impact educational opportunities. Poverty, gender discrimination, language barriers and social stratification based on caste and ethnicity create formidable barriers for many children in accessing education. The government has implemented affirmative action policies, such as reservations (quotas) in educational institutions, to promote inclusivity for marginalized communities. However, these measures, while well-intentioned, have faced criticism for their implementation and effectiveness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I am heartened to learn about the social programs in Brazil that aim to increase access to education, such as the Bolsa Fam\u00edlia and the university scholarship schemes. In India, we have similar initiatives, but their reach and impact need to be expanded. Various initiatives include scholarships, fee waivers, and subsidized educational loans to support students from economically weaker backgrounds. There are scholarship programs like the National Means-cum-Merit Scholarship Scheme and the National Fellowship for students from economically weaker sections. The government has also initiated programs like the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) to improve the quality of higher education institutions. Indian Government also has launched Rastriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) for enhancing secondary education. However, the reach and impact of these programs have been limited due to bureaucratic inefficiencies, corruption, and a lack of awareness among the intended beneficiaries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>While government efforts are crucial, citizen engagement and collective action are equally important in addressing educational challenges. Also, I believe we must continue to advocate for education as a fundamental right and hold our leaders accountable for delivering on their promises. In India, civil society organizations, NGOs, and community-based initiatives have played a significant role in supplementing government efforts by establishing alternative educational models, providing vocational training, and raising awareness about the importance of education.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Citizens can contribute in various ways, such as advocating for policy reforms, holding authorities accountable, and participating in local initiatives that support education in their communities. Community involvement in school management and monitoring can also play a vital role in improving educational outcomes. Encouraging critical thinking, promoting inclusive narratives, and challenging societal biases are also essential in creating a conducive environment for learning and personal growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Additionally, the private sector has played a significant role in expanding access to education, particularly at the higher levels. However, this has also raised concerns about equity and affordability, as private institutions often cater to the more affluent sections of society.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In both India and Brazil, achieving the UN&#8217;s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) by 2030 remains a daunting task. However, with sustained efforts from all stakeholders, including governments, civil society, and citizens, we can strive to create a more equitable and inclusive educational landscape for future generations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is disheartening to learn about the ongoing strike by university teachers in Brazil, as this undoubtedly disrupts the educational continuity and negatively impacts students. While strikes are often a last resort for workers to voice their concerns and demand fair treatment, prolonged disruptions can have severe consequences for students&#8217; academic progress and well-being. I hope that a fair and amicable resolution can be reached soon, ensuring that the rights and needs of both teachers and students are addressed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In India, we have also witnessed instances of teacher strikes and protests, particularly regarding issues such as salary disparities, lack of permanent employment, and poor working conditions. These situations highlight the need for continuous dialogue, fair negotiation, and a concerted effort to improve the overall educational ecosystem, ensuring that both educators and learners can thrive in a supportive environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we navigate these challenges, it is essential to recognize that education is not merely a means to economic prosperity but a fundamental human right that empowers individuals, transforms communities, and shapes the future of our societies. By fostering a culture of learning, critical thinking, and empathy, we can cultivate a more just, equitable, and sustainable world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Though I look forward to continuing our dialogue and learning more about your experiences and insights, unfortunately this is our last exchange. Our exchange has reinforced my belief that by sharing our stories and perspectives, we can gain a deeper understanding of the complexities involved in achieving quality education for all and inspire each other to be agents of positive change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, I would like to commend you for your passion and dedication to architecture and urbanism. Your interest in understanding societal issues and their historical roots is admirable. Wishing you all the best in your studies and endeavours.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Warm regards,<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Anirban Nandi<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(PT\/ENG) In this engaging exchange between students from Brazil and India, Ashley de Souza and Anirban Nandi &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/\" class=\"more-link\"><span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Education as a catalyst for social equity&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":147,"featured_media":1649,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[293,66],"tags":[55],"coauthors":[298,299],"class_list":["post-1661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-brazil","category-india","tag-education"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Education as a catalyst for social equity - USOS<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"noindex, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Education as a catalyst for social equity - USOS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"(PT\/ENG) In this engaging exchange between students from Brazil and India, Ashley de Souza and Anirban Nandi &hellip; &quot;Education as a catalyst for social equity&quot;\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"USOS\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-10-14T12:42:44+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-10-14T12:45:14+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/4.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"3374\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"2188\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Anirban, Ashley\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Anirban, Ashley\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Estimated reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"19 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Anirban\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/3adaa76d9e8e5372ee3509db092268cc\"},\"headline\":\"Education as a catalyst for social equity\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-14T12:42:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-14T12:45:14+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":4718,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/4.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Education\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Brazil\",\"India\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/\",\"name\":\"Education as a catalyst for social equity - USOS\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/4.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-10-14T12:42:44+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-10-14T12:45:14+00:00\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/4.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2024\\\/08\\\/4.png\",\"width\":3374,\"height\":2188},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Education as a catalyst for social equity\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/\",\"name\":\"USOS\",\"description\":\"Global Pen Friends\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"USOS\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-GB\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/cropped-usos-en-white.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2021\\\/09\\\/cropped-usos-en-white.png\",\"width\":725,\"height\":250,\"caption\":\"USOS \"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"}},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/3adaa76d9e8e5372ee3509db092268cc\",\"name\":\"Anirban\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/blog.uantwerpen.be\\\/global-pen-friends\\\/author\\\/anirban\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Education as a catalyst for social equity - USOS","robots":{"index":"noindex","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"og_locale":"en_GB","og_type":"article","og_title":"Education as a catalyst for social equity - USOS","og_description":"(PT\/ENG) In this engaging exchange between students from Brazil and India, Ashley de Souza and Anirban Nandi &hellip; \"Education as a catalyst for social equity\"","og_url":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/","og_site_name":"USOS","article_published_time":"2024-10-14T12:42:44+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-10-14T12:45:14+00:00","og_image":[{"width":3374,"height":2188,"url":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/4.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Anirban, Ashley","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Anirban, Ashley","Estimated reading time":"19 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/"},"author":{"name":"Anirban","@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/#\/schema\/person\/3adaa76d9e8e5372ee3509db092268cc"},"headline":"Education as a catalyst for social equity","datePublished":"2024-10-14T12:42:44+00:00","dateModified":"2024-10-14T12:45:14+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/"},"wordCount":4718,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/4.png","keywords":["Education"],"articleSection":["Brazil","India"],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/","url":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/","name":"Education as a catalyst for social equity - USOS","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/4.png","datePublished":"2024-10-14T12:42:44+00:00","dateModified":"2024-10-14T12:45:14+00:00","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-GB","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/4.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/4.png","width":3374,"height":2188},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/education-as-a-catalyst-for-social-equity\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Education as a catalyst for social equity"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/#website","url":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/","name":"USOS","description":"Global Pen Friends","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-GB"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/#organization","name":"USOS","url":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-GB","@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cropped-usos-en-white.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/cropped-usos-en-white.png","width":725,"height":250,"caption":"USOS "},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"}},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/#\/schema\/person\/3adaa76d9e8e5372ee3509db092268cc","name":"Anirban","url":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/author\/anirban\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/4.png","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/147"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1661"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1661\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1662,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1661\/revisions\/1662"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1649"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1661"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blog.uantwerpen.be\/global-pen-friends\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/coauthors?post=1661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}