UWC Short Course: Amazônia 360

Sustainability & Community in the Brazilian Amazon Rainforest

An 11-day guided expedition in July 2025 will bring together young people from Brazil and around the world in the Amazon to discover and deepen the interconnections between people, nature, and institutions in this fascinating and dynamic region of South America.

UWC Brazil has established an unprecedented partnership with Academia Amazônia Ensina to carry out the immersive course in the Anavilhanas archipelago, near Manaus, in the Brazilian Amazon.

The Theme: Understanding the Amazon in 360 degrees

The Amazon is very rich in biodiversity and culture, and has enormous environmental and socioeconomic relevance. Even so, this value is little known and appreciated, even in Brazil. Recent events and reports point to the unsustainable practices that threaten the ecological balance and the future of the next generations, bringing the need for coordinated solutions to ensure the continuity of the Amazon and humanity itself.

The UWC Amazônia 360 course directs a dive into the political, social and environmental challenges of the region, through the connection with local communities. Young people aged 15 to 17 and Portuguese speakers will get to know the Amazonian socio-biodiversity, through urban, riverside and indigenous experiences. While connecting to the Amazonian contexts, they will have contact with the UWC educational principles and model through activities involving listening, dialogue, leadership and collaboration.

The Destination: Activities in Manaus and the Rio Negro, Amazonas

The expedition begins in the capital of Amazonas, where participants spend 5 days. Lectures and visits to points of cultural and ecological importance in the city of Manaus bring the scientific, human and social understanding of the natural characteristics of the Amazon and the role of various institutions in this region.

The city center of Manaus, capital of the state of Amazonas, Brazil

Then, the activities move to the Tumbira Community, on the banks of the Rio Negro. There, participants experience the riverside reality and visit an indigenous community. Over 6 days, they continue to learn about the topics of sustainability, bioeconomy, intersectionality, sociobiodiversity, social and environmental justice, in interactions guided by principles of deep dialogue and restorative justice.

Tumbira Community on the Rio Negro, Amazonas, Brazil

In addition to individual discussions and reflections, activities include excursions through the forest, canoeing, fishing, and Ajuri – a traditional practice in which community members come together to help each other with collective tasks.

Comfort and safety in the Amazon Rainforest.

The Pedagogical Proposal is Immersive, based on Theory U

The course structure focuses on collaboration and collective experience to form a shared vision, drawing inspiration from Otto Scharmer’s Theory U. The multidisciplinary, dynamic and group-centered activities propose constant reflections that start from the context: the region, the peoples, and their connection with the land. Then, they go to look inside and invite each one to take actions and propose solutions, completing this cycle of perspective that progresses from “I” to “we”.

“Me and the World”

Module that takes a closer look at sustainability and the relationship between humans and the environment – focusing especially on the Amazon. It includes talks with environmental and environmental policy experts and activists, as well as hands-on outdoor activities such as tree planting with local people.

“Who am I?”

Module that invites participants to connect with their identities. It includes activities that develop participants’ social and personal awareness, and foster vulnerability and dialogue. We will reflect on hopes, positionalities, fears and how these factors influence each one in their experiences and coexistence in the course and outside it.

“Me and the Other”

Module that invites reflection on alterity: how we recognize ourselves from how we define “the other”. Starting from the different identities of the group, including local, national and international participants, we will work on the idea of diversity and collectivity, as well as the importance of celebrating it. We will also invite participants to think of ways to thank the people who host the course.

Organisation and Facilitation: UWC Brazil & Academia Amazônia Ensina

UWC Amazônia 360 is an initiative of a diverse team of UWC alumni, including Amazonians and people with great knowledge of the region, as well as our partner organization – Academia Amazônia Ensina. The activities have the participation of expert guests in local topics and guests from the Academia Amazônia Ensina (ACAE), which will contribute with its solid experience in immersive educational activities and scientific tourism in the Amazon environment. 

The course will be facilitated by a joint team of UWC Brazil alumni from different generations, as well as the group of trained local facilitators and guides from Academia Amazônia Ensina.

Programming

• 14 July: Arrival in Manaus
  Reception, hotel check-in and welcome dinner
   
• 15-17 July: Amazonian Nature
  Visits to INPA, museums, local markets, and sustainability projects
   
• 18-19 July: What does ‘Other’ mean?
  Transfer to the community of Tumbira (AM), interaction with local riverside leaders, workshops and cultural activities
   
• 20-21 July: Who Am I?
  Reflections on the individual journey and what brought them here
   
• 22-23 July: Who are we?
  Planting trees and preparing thank you gift(s)
   
• 24 July: Closing and departure from Manaus
  Transfer to the airport after lunch

Sign up

The course will take place from July 14 to 24, 2025 and is aimed at: 

• 20 young participants from the Amazon region, other Brazilian regions, and the world;
• Aged between 15 and 17 years;
• Portuguese speakers (minimum level: advanced-intermediate).

Registration for the selection process takes place between March 1st and 31st, 2025.

The total value of the course is R$ 22,575.00. Important: This value does not include transfer to Manaus-AM. This amount includes:

1. Transportation logistics in the 11 days of the course, including transportation to/from the International Airport and round trip by boat between Manaus and Tumbira – in addition to transportation to the activities;
2. Tickets to museums and course activities;
3. Accommodation and Full Food (3 meals/day);
4. Support and safety of the team of facilitators from ACAE and UWC Brazil, in addition to the accompaniment of firefighters;
5. Travel insurance for Brazilian participants (we recommend that foreigners take out separate insurance);
6. Other operational costs.

Payment will be made directly with our strategic partner, Academia Amazônia Ensina. The amount can be paid in cash or in up to 3 installments of approximately R$7,525.00 on Pix and card*.
^{*Check fee conditions.}

International payments will be made by bank transfer through Remessa Online.
Payment must be made by April 15, 2025 to secure your place in the UWC Short Course Amazônia 360: Sustainability and Community in the Amazon Rainforest.

Register by filling out the form below, which will be available between March 1st and March 31st, 2025:

Inscreva-se

Selection

• 1st to 31/03: Inscriptions
• 02/03 to 05/04: Period of convocation and holding of interviews – interviews take place simultaneously with registrations and can be scheduled until April 5th.
• 10/04: Final convocation of the 20 participants.
• 04/15: Final date for payment and guarantee of the vacancy. Otherwise, we will offer the spot to the next on the list.

Observation: As we review the applications, we will call selected people for an interview of approximately 30 minutes, which can be scheduled from the submission of the form until April 5th. The final result will be announced on April 10, 2025.

Financial Aid

We will provide limited vacancies with financial aid subject to the assessment of effective need and presentation of supporting documentation. 

Through the application form itself, the candidate can apply for this aid and send the following documents regarding the income of their guardians:

• Payslip for the last 3 months
• Income Tax for the last 3 years
• Bank Statement for the last 3 months

Support Us: Donations and Contributions

We call on the entire community of friends, alumni and UWC Brazil officials to collaborate with the realization of this project through a donation!

Your contribution will enable the participation of young people from different socioeconomic backgrounds and ensure that a diverse group enjoys this experience, bringing with them their multiple and representative realities.

To make your donation by PIX, use the key: 

[email protected]

The account is from Santander and belongs to the United World Colleges Association of Brazil.