The Bett Nordeste Conference is coming up—a traveling event that will bring together education professionals from all over Brazil to discuss the main challenges and paths forward for public and private basic education in the country. Organized by Bett Brasil, the event will take place on September 27 and 28 in Olinda (PE) and will feature a diverse program, including panel discussions, lectures, and exhibitions of products and solutions for the educational ecosystem. Registration for the conference is open and can be completed here. Admission to the exhibition area is free and can be arranged here.

One of the event’s speakers will be Jaíne Hellen Machnicki, general counsel for the Super Cérebro Group, who will participate in the panels: “Inclusive Education: Building a School for Everyone, Without Exception” and“How Can We Turn Diversity into a Lever for Inclusion and Ensure That All People Are Valued and Included?” A lawyer, autistic person, and teacher, Jaíne is a co-founder of the “Imãs Atípicas” project, which advocates for the rights of people with disabilities, and a member of the Commission on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities of the Brazilian Bar Association.

In the interview below, the expert discusses the main points she will address during the debate and her expectations for the Bett Nordeste Conference. Check it out!

Bett Blog - The central theme of the Bett Northeast Conference will be “Focus on Basic Education: Transformative Dialogues.” Could you tell us what this theme means to you?

Jaíne Hellen Machnicki—She primarily represents the expectation that education will be improved through dialogue, research, and discussions on a wide range of topics, including inclusion. In my view, transformative dialogue is essential in the educational context, especially in basic education, which is the stage at which the foundation is laid and fundamental skills for growth are developed.

Furthermore, the use of the word “transformers” makes the theme even more powerful, since these are not merely dialogues that convey information—they have the potential to transform, and that is wonderful.

In this context, the event itself becomes a space for reflection, critical analysis, and the collective construction of knowledge, creating an environment conducive to the development and growth of everyone involved. Education is a powerful tool for change. In short, the theme of the conference represents, for me, the pursuit of a more inclusive and democratic education through constructive dialogue.

Bett Blog - During your presentation at the event, you’ll discuss the importance of inclusive education for everyone, without exception. Could you tell us a little about your experience and what key points you’ll cover in your talk?

Jaíne Hellen Machnicki - First of all, I believe that inclusive education is the cornerstone for building a more just and equitable society. When we provide educational opportunities for everyone, without distinction, we are recognizing the unique value of each individual, as well as their potential.

As a person on the autism spectrum, I have a unique perspective on the topic of inclusive education, as I have personally experienced the challenges stemming from the lack of preparation on the part of educational institutions. It is not uncommon for people with disabilities to be marginalized in the educational system due to the lack of preparation among professionals and institutions.

Today, as an adult, I can clearly see how different my school experience could have been and how much more I could have developed my potential if the necessary accommodations had been made. During my childhood and adolescence, I dreaded going to school—and that was certainly not my fault.

Aside from that, I realize that these issues are undergoing changes, at least as far as dialogue is concerned, since many professionals are showing increasing concern about the issue of inclusion—and that’s a very good thing! I am aware that full inclusion is no easy task, but precisely for that reason, I believe that transformative dialogue is essential so that together we can find solutions to these challenges—especially because inclusion offers countless benefits for everyone by promoting, in addition to education itself, respect, empathy, equality, awareness, and so on.

Finally, it is worth noting that inclusion, in the educational context, does not refer exclusively to people with disabilities, but also to those with any type of learning difficulty, social-emotional challenges, and others. All forms of diversity must be included, and that is my—our—struggle. Inclusive education, far from being a luxury, is a vital necessity.

Bett Blog - How do you view inclusion in education today? Where do we need to make progress, and what are the challenges?

Jaíne Hellen Machnicki - Currently, inclusion in education is making progress, at least in theory, as there is now more discussion on the topic. In my view, we need to move toward the more practical aspects and effectively implement all these valuable ideas. Several advances have already been made, but there is still much to be done, especially regarding teacher training, material resources and specialized support, prejudice and stigma, accessibility, inclusive assessment, and community involvement. Moving toward fully inclusive education requires commitment from everyone and proper allocation of investments, but above all, it requires embracing differences and raising awareness.

Bett Blog - What can schools do to create a more inclusive environment? How would you describe the ideal space?

Jaíne Hellen Machnicki - First and foremost , the ideal environment for inclusive education is one in which students feel welcomed and their differences are respected. From there, everything falls into place, because as you welcome and respect differences, you naturally seek ways to meet that individual’s needs—it’s a natural consequence.

In practical terms, I believe the best approach is to start by training teachers and other professionals working in the school setting, followed by curriculum adaptation based on a specific assessment of the student’s needs, and individualized educational support.

Furthermore, it is important to emphasize the need for physical accessibility and the inclusion of parents and the community throughout the entire process, since an inclusive school is, without a doubt, one in which everyone contributes to collective development. In short, the ideal environment is one in which everyone feels comfortable, included, part of the community, respected, and has the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their differences.

Bett Blog - Finally, what are your expectations for the Bett Northeast Conference?

Jaíne Hellen Machnicki - An event focused on education and transformative dialogue can only provide an extremely inspiring and enriching experience. That’s what I’m looking forward to! I believe the event will be a unique opportunity for me to engage in uplifting and profound discussions on the topic, especially regarding inclusion in schools, which will undoubtedly contribute to my professional and personal growth.

Countdown

It’s almost here! In addition to the exhibition area, more than 16 panel discussions and 45 speakers are scheduled to take place simultaneously on two stages, including Rossandro Klinjey, psychologist, professor, and education consultant; Hélio Daher, Secretary of State for Education of Mato Grosso do Sul; Leo Chaves, CEO of EAI Educa; Davi Abreu, coordinator of Institutional Relations at Mapa Educação; Telma Pantano, speech-language pathologist and educational psychologist at the Institute of Psychiatry at FMUSP’s Hospital das Clínicas; and Carla Alexandre, education coordinator at CESAR School.

The opening ceremony will be attended by the Secretary of Education and Sports for the State of Pernambuco, Ivaneide de Farias Dantas; the president of the Pernambuco Union of Educational Institutions (SINEPE-PE), José Ricardo Diniz; and the president of the Tiradentes Innovation Center, Domingos Sávio Alcântara Machado.

• Check out the full schedule for the Bett Nordeste Conference
• 5 Reasons to Attend the Event

Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of one of the largest events in Brazil’s Northeast region. Jornada Bett is a must-attend event for anyone who wants to stay up to date, share experiences, and gain new insights into the educational ecosystem. To participate, register for free access to the fair’s exhibition area or sign up to attend the event’s lectures HERE.

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