Mayor Rogério Lins, with Marcelo Couto, the Secretary of Family, Citizenship, and Food Security (Sefam) have formally endorsed the Venice Declaration on August 23rd. This act officially included Osasco in the international global project known as “Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families.” The signing ceremony took place in the Luiz Roberto Claudino da Silva Hall and counted with the presence of Vice-Mayor Ana Maria Rossi, State Deputy Rogério Santos, and Rodolfo Barreto Canônico as the representative from the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD), an organization in general consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council.
Osasco is a Brazilian city northwest of São Paulo city and part of its metropolitan area. It has experienced extremely rapid growth owing to the increasing concentration of heavy industry in the suburban regions of São Paulo, bringing with it the pollution and congestion problems associated with such growth. The present population is over 750,000 citizens. By appending their signatures to this document, Osasco has become a member of an international network of cities committed to devising and sharing policies that are more supportive of families.
This undertaking, led by the International Federation for Family Development (IFFD is geared towards ensuring that cities are characterized by inclusivity, safety, resilience, and sustainability. This is to be achieved through the effective coordination of policies and investments in various areas, including housing, new technologies, education, healthcare, security, environment, accessibility, leisure, and tourism, among others. These efforts are directed at bolstering the well-being of families, especially those in vulnerable situations.
The decision fully aligns with the municipal administration’s dedication to the Sustainable Development Goals as listed in the 2030 Agenda.
Mayor Rogério Lins highlighted the significance of this act during the event, noting that out of the 5,500 cities in Brazil, only 7 have committed to the Venice Declaration, with Osasco proudly being one of them. He stated, “Our objective is to transform our city into an increasingly hospitable place for families, implementing more protective measures and ensuring that families grow stronger, more secure, and capable of achieving greater heights through all our public policies.”
Secretary Marcelo Couto reiterated that the right to establish a family is a universally recognized human right, closely intertwined with the conditions people experience within their living environment. He remarked, “Participation in the Inclusive Cities for Sustainable Families network will empower the city of Osasco to enhance its initiatives, drawing from successful practices elsewhere while also sharing with the world the accomplishments in various areas that directly impact the lives of families.”
According to IFFD delegate Rodolfo Barreto Canonico, the ultimate goal of any city network is the exchange of experiences and mutual support. He commented, “This network provides Osasco with international visibility, with its actions reported to the UN, and access to tools that could be instrumental in shaping public policy. I extend my congratulations to the administration for embracing this endeavor.”
State Deputy Rogério Santos also highlighted the document’s significance for Osasco. He emphasized, “This momentous occasion of signing the Venice Declaration positions our city on the international stage concerning family issues. Our aim is to continually fortify our objective-driven public policies.”
Other noteworthy attendees at the event included municipal secretaries José Carlos Vido (Social Assistance), Sérgio Di Nizo (Government), Débora Lapas (Executive for Women’s Policy and Promotion of Diversity), Amanda França (Executive for Policies Promoting Racial Equality), Fábio Grossi (Chief of Staff), the Family Secretary of Barueri, Silvio Macedo, and councilors Josias da Juco and Juliana Ativoz, the President of the Osasco Bar Association, Maria José Bonetti, as well as the junior Family Secretaries, José Ricardo and Ana Cristina.
