Innovation and technology on the agenda for Kids20: young reporters cover Startup20 meetings

GEO Fernando de Azevedo school represented Projeto Andar in the journalistic coverage, following the activities and conducting interviews. Among the interviewees was the United States Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, Jacqueline Ward.

The carioquinhas from Projeto Andar (Rede Students News Agency) participated in another coverage of G20 activities. This time, they were recruited to work at a parallel event organized by Startup20, one of the G20 Social engagement groups. The event coincided with the Web Summit, one of the world's largest gatherings on technology and innovation, which brought together approximately 500 speakers and over 1,000 startups in Rio de Janeiro from April 15 to 18, 2024. 

With discussions revolving around the startup ecosystem in Brasil and the world, on April 16 Startup20 hosted junior reporter Rafaella Amador, from EMFA Mídia, the student-run newspaper at the Ginásio Educacional Olímpico (GEO) Fernando de Azevedo school in the Santa Cruz neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro/RJ. Currently in Grade 9, the 14-year-old student interviewed the United States Consul General in Rio, Jacqueline Ward; the G20 Rio Committee president, Lucas Padilha; and the governor of Amapá, Clécio Luís, whose state hosted the first GE meeting. 

In addition to interviewing these authorities, Rafaella also spoke with participants at the event, representing the journalistic production initiated at her school. Check it out:

“We initiated our preparation with meetings aimed at gaining a comprehensive understanding of Startup20 and the G20, equipping ourselves with background information before attending the event. Subsequently, we organized into groups to ensure clarity on individual responsibilities. For instance, I was tasked with reporting and editing duties: researching the event's attendees, their activities, and anticipated remarks. We formulated a plan outlining our objectives upon arrival, enabling us to determine our agenda and target interviewees. Responsibilities for social media content creation were delegated to other team members," explained Rafaella, offering insight into the operational procedures at EMFA Mídia.

“It is interesting to see students participating in events such as Startup20 and G20 meetings as it provides an avenue for applying an interdisciplinary approach. By connecting learned content, fostering idea development, problem-solving, and applying these concepts within the school environment, students are able to cultivate a sense of societal belonging and critical thinking skills. These qualities are pivotal in shaping well-rounded carioca citizens," remarked Ms Jillian Antunes, a teacher and counselor at EMFA Mídia.

The coverage is the result of a partnership between Rio de Janeiro Municipal Secretariat of Education and the G20 Communications Coordination, in charge of mobilizing carioca students from Projeto Andar, coordinated by MultiRio. Inaugurated around a year and a half ago, the agency gathers schools from all town regions and currently mobilizes over 700 students. The junior reporters produce news content for several school platforms such as social media, bulletin boards, digital magazines, among others, and also for the Andar website.

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