Papuã Center: a space for studies and practices in the Lowlands of Southern Bahia

The initiative is the fruit of a partnership between the Odebrecht Foundation and the United Nations, signed in 2008

At an altitude of 680 meters, the Serra da Papuã range, located in the municipality of Ibirapitanga and within the Pratigi Environmental Protection Area (APA, is the highest point in the Lowlands of Southern Bahia. The site, which is home to the offices of the Odebrecht Foundation and the headquarters of the Land Conservation Organization (OCT), has been attracting universities and researchers because of its space dedicated to studies and practices in sustainable development.

Welcoming visitors year round, the space has rooms, an auditorium for up to 80 people, learning facilities, a research center, a restaurant and three bungalows with capacity for up to 52 guests.

Created by a partnership signed between the United Nations and the Odebrecht Foundation, today the Papuã Center is a center for exchanging experiences that aims to disseminate social, economic and environmental technologies and foster community development. It is recognized as a reference in the region for its capacity to combine, in one place, theoretical knowledge with practical experience in topics of public interest related to sustainability, education and productive conscience. “It is a center that intensely values human activity in harmony with the environment,” explained Joaquim Cardoso, executive director of OCT.

The space has hosted hundreds of national and international training programs. In a recent experience, last October, the State University of Santa Cruz (UESC) used the center to teach the course “Diagnostic Analysis of Agrarian Systems” in the master’s and doctoral programs of the Development and Environment Graduate Program and the Regional Economy Master’s Program. “Here people can truly immerse themselves in agrarian systems,” said professor Mônica Pires.

Coming from France with the sole reason of teaching these classes, Marc Dufumier, a professor and expert in rural development, said the education met his expectations. “Students were able to learn about and analyze the region’s agrarian reality, acquiring the capacity to make accurate diagnoses, in an experience that can be replicated in other places,” he said.

To use the space for studies and practices in sustainable development, please contact OCT by calling +55 73 99812-0371 or sending an e-mail to contato@oct.org.br, explaining the interest and objective of the reservation. You will receive a response with information on availability, costs and other details.