Fundation participates in tradicional rite that unites faith and ecology in Salvador

On Thursday 17th, the Norberto Odebrecht Foundation (FNO) was one of the institutions invited to take part in the traditional Rite of Foot Washing, celebrated at the Basilica Sanctuary of Senhor do Bonfim, in Salvador. The ceremony, which is part of the Holy Thursday liturgy, took on an even more special meaning this year by uniting spirituality, humility and service to the cause of sustainability.

The theme of the 2025 Fraternity Campaign is “Fraternity and Integral Ecology”. In line with this proposal, twelve environmental activists were chosen to symbolize different fronts of action in defence of socio-environmental justice, such as family farming, recycling, environmental education, biotechnology and climate activism.

Among the guests was Cristiane Nascimento, Director of the FNO, representing the institution, which is already known for its efforts in initiatives that integrate education, citizenship and sustainability in rural areas. “I felt very honored to have the opportunity to be there, at such a symbolic moment for us to demonstrate the importance of humility, fraternity and simplicity – and also to represent the Foundation in a celebration that brings a very beautiful theme to its campaign, inviting us to reflect on the preservation of the environment and respect for the various forms of life,” Cristiane shared.

Under her leadership, the Program for Development and Integrated Growth with Sustainability (PDCIS), an FNO initiative that has been operating in the Southern Bahia Lowlands for more than two decades, has made a significant contribution to sustainable territorial development and the strengthening of family farming. In 2024, the significant results reaffirm this commitment: 89 hectares of conserved areas, 68,148 trees planted, 10 springs restored and almost 35,000 people impacted.

Cristiane’s participation in the rite reinforces the connection between spirituality and transformative action. The gesture of washing the feet of others, a Christian sign of service and care, also became, on this occasion, a call to ecological conversion and an invitation to collective responsibility for the protection of nature.

“The Fraternity Campaign has provoked us to reflect on biomes, native peoples, the right to land and food production. All of this is directly linked to the work we do at the Foundation, which is based on combating poverty and inequality, and on valuing the rational use of natural resources,” concluded Cristiane.