Friday, June 26, 2026
Hello!
Today ISER celebrates 56 years! More than five decades dedicated to the production of knowledge, the defense of human rights, and the building of bridges between diverse fields of knowledge, religious diversity, and the encounter of different generations. Through research, publications, projects, collaborations, and mobilizations, we have built a trajectory marked by a commitment to human rights, democracy, and the appreciation of diversity.
Like any collective journey, it's difficult to measure the collection of stories, encounters, and lessons learned that are part of this path. Therefore, we've gathered some milestones that help illustrate how, over the years, we've continued to strengthen dialogues and build collective pathways to face the challenges of each era.
Relive some milestones from this journey:
1970s: the beginning of our journey.
In 1974, the following were born. ISER notebooks, which became a space for the circulation of research and reflections by scholars linked to the institution. A few years later, in 1977, the journal was created. Religion & Society, a publication that would establish itself as one of the most important references for religious studies in Brazil.
1980s: Building bridges with the academic world
In 1981, the ISER Communications with the purpose of establishing a more organic and broader contact with the academic world. More than 70 papers have been published since its creation. In 1985, the publication was launched. “"The Black Evangelical"”, organized by Regina Novaes and Maria da Graça Floriano, which marked the debate on race relations and religion, bringing together pioneering reflections on Protestantism, Pentecostalism, and racial issues in the country.
1990s: New challenges and building dialogue in times of change.
In 1992, ISER held the first Interfaith Vigil, This occurred during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (ECO-92). The initiative brought together approximately 30,000 people and 300 leaders from different religious traditions. The mobilization gave rise to the Inter-Religious Movement (MIR-RJ) and resulted in the documentary... ‘'A new day for the Earth'’. Back in 1998, ISER launched the research. New Birth – Evangelicals at home, in church, and in politics, a national reference for understanding the transformations in the Brazilian religious field.
2000s: favelas and their social dynamics occupy a central place in research and projects.
In 2004, ISER initiated a work agenda on religions in prisons, bringing together researchers, religious leaders, former inmates, and public institutions to develop reflections and proposals on justice and rights. In the same year, the publication was launched. “"The memory of the favelas"”, organized by Regina Novaes, Christina Vital and Marilena Cunha. In 2005, the ISER Communications edition was launched. “"Religions and Prisons"” by Ana Maria Quiroga, Christina Vital and Flávio Conrado.
2010s: Interreligious and socio-environmental mobilization and articulation
In 2015, it was born Faith in the Climate, This is a pioneering initiative that brings together and engages religious leaders to raise awareness within their faith communities about addressing the climate crisis. Recognition of this trajectory has come in various forms, including a letter sent by Pope Francis to ISER in the same year, thanking them for sharing the Faith in Climate Declaration with the Vatican. Four years later, in 2019, ISER held... III Faith in the Climate Meeting, in Rio de Janeiro, bringing together religious leaders and figures such as Antônio Nobre, André Trigueiro, and Marina Silva.
2020s: Strengthening knowledge production and training
In 2020, ISER expanded its knowledge production and launched the Religion & Power Platform, which offers open data, analysis, and reporting on the interface between religion and institutional politics. The project began in 2022. Faith in the power that comes from the grassroots, strengthening Christian leadership committed to promoting citizenship and human rights in territories within the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan area. In the same year, the training program was created. Warriors for Decarceration, contributing to the strengthening of families in the fight for justice and rights of people deprived of their liberty. In 2023, the first edition of Boto Fé no Clima, which brings together young people interested in connecting spirituality and socio-environmental commitment. The project is set to be launched in 2025. Axé-Amen, which builds cooperation between Black evangelical and Afro-Brazilian religious leaders, reaffirming dialogue as a way to confront intolerance and religious racism. In the same year, other events were also held. Vigils for the Earth in the five regions of the country, culminating in a vigil with multiple spiritual and social traditions, in Belém, during COP 30.
Celebrating 56 years is honoring the roots that have brought us here. Thank you for being part of this journey! We continue together strengthening rights, producing knowledge, and broadening horizons. justice, diversity It is democracy. And opening our eyes, minds, and hands to the new challenges we face today, challenges that must be confronted in order to weave better realities.
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Thank you for reading this far.
Until next time,
ISER Team.
Analysis on religion, politics, rights and the environment every two weeks in your email.
Subscribe to the ISER Newsletter.