The Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE) closes this Friday (3), at the Corporate Intelligence Center, in Rio de Janeiro, the National Meeting of State Coordinators of Census Meetings. Held between June 30th and July 3rd, the event brought together representatives from state units to align strategies, procedures and schedules related to the organization of census meetings that will support the holding of the 12th Census of Agriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture (CAFA).

Over the course of four days, participants attended technical presentations and debates on the main operational aspects of the survey. The program included topics such as the technical project and operational project of the Census, the Territorial Base and the structure of the census operations conducted by the General Coordination of Census Operations (CGOC). Census meetings and their role in planning and executing the operation were also discussed.

Responsible for coordinating the meeting, David Montero Dias highlighted the importance of training for the start of activities in the states. “This event represents a very important milestone for the beginning of the 12th CAFA, because we are bringing together coordinators of Census Commissions from all states of the Federation. They received comprehensive contents, in addition to specific knowledge, so that they can lead these commissions, which represent the IBGE's contact with civil society in each municipality that will receive a census station in Brazil,” stated him.

According to Dias, between 40 and 50 people participated in the meeting, including state representatives and officials from the Institute's headquarters. He also highlighted the role of national integration promoted by the activity. “It is a meeting that has a strong aspect of integration and synergy, promoting added value and exchange of knowledge. Everyone wins, more qualified and better able to carry out their work in their respective states,” observed him.

The meeting also addressed issues related to the implementation of the necessary infrastructure for the census operation, such as the modalities for the transfer of properties and census stations, in addition to the presentation of the structure of the CGOC and the National Address File for Statistical Purposes (CNEFE). The coordinators also received information on publicity and dissemination materials, as well as guidance on the Simplified Selection Process that will be used to hire temporary staff.

For Nádia Deps, librarian at the Supervision of Information Dissemination in São Paulo, the training will directly contribute to the quality of the work that will be developed in the coming months. “For this specific work, related to the 12th Census of Agriculture, the event will help us collect quality information. I believe this is the most important aspect,” assessed her.

She also highlighted the formative nature of the initiative. “The experience has been very productive. I am getting an overview of the project and better understanding how I can contribute and act more effectively throughout the different stages of the work,” added her.

Another highlight of the program was the debate on the conceptualization and establishment of state coordinations, responsible for coordinating census meetings in the states. The schedules for the first meetings, intermediate stages and final activities were also presented, as well as presentation models, letters, videos, minutes and other standardized documents that will support local work.
Representing Paraíba, the head of the area of Social Surveys at the IBGE state unit, Lamartine Candeia, highlighted the importance of exchanging experiences between participants. “The 27 Federation Units are represented in what is one of the most important events related to the 12th Census of Agriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture. This Census will play a fundamental role in portraying the reality of the Brazilian agricultural sector and providing essential information for understanding its current characteristics and its future perspectives,” told him.

On the third day of activities, participants learned about the census meeting member registration system and the meeting scheduling module in the Operational Database (BDO), instruments that will contribute to the organization and monitoring of actions across the country.

Journalist Gabriela Carmo highlighted the collaborative environment built during the meeting. Having recently joined the Institute, Carmo also highlighted the learning provided by coexistence between officials with different professional backgrounds. “Balancing the experiences of people who have been with us for many years with people who are coming in with new perspectives is really being very enriching,” reported her.

This Friday's closing program was dedicated to presenting the schedule for the next steps, creating the group on Microsoft Teams and establishing the National Team of Census Meeting Coordinators.

For Vinícius de Lima Wagner, an analyst in the agricultural surveys area at the IBGE in Santa Catarina, the event marks the beginning of a new stage of the operation. “Our role will be to replicate the knowledge acquired here for the teams that will work directly in the census operation. From now on, work related to the Census of Agriculture will effectively begin in state units, which makes this preparation even more important for the success of the operation,” concluded him.

The meeting ended with an open debate to clarify doubts and exchange experiences between participants, strengthening integration between teams and the national alignment of preparatory actions for the 12th Census of Agriculture, Forestry and Aquaculture.

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