We are a lay organization of Brazilian civil society and we produce studies, research and social intervention in two strategic areas:

Religion & Public Space
Rights & Justice System

We have as fundamental principles:

Valuing social diversity
cultural and environmental

Recognition of religious diversity and the secular state

Interlocutions to
from the grammar of human rights

Dialogue and partnerships
for impact on society and public debate

Our action strategies are:

knowledge production of social relevance, mainly in the interface between religion and public space

Promotion of dialogue and training to strengthen movements and
civil society initiatives in favor of human rights

Communication and mobilization to engage religious groups in the socio-environmental rights and justice agenda

Articulation for
qualified incidence
in the public debate on the
commitment issues
of the ISER

History of performance

Founded in 1970, ISER was initially established in the city of Campinas (SP) and moved to Rio de Janeiro in 1979, consolidating its institutionality and affirming its two complementary dimensions: search It is social intervention.

During the country's redemocratization period, ISER contributed to the reorganization of social movements and the emergence and strengthening of civil society organizations. Creating bridges between different areas of knowledge, ISER acts based on the dialogue and in the promotion of alliances strategies in the defense of democratic values, justice and human rights

ISER has always been guided by the perception that religion is a fundamental factor in social change and an indispensable variable to better understand and act together with Brazilian society. In this way, ISER stands out for its pioneering look in studies of the relationship between religion, politics and human rights.

Five decades of existence record the crossing of its different faces: production of knowledge, activism and articulation. With this hybrid profile, ISER was a pioneer in identifying the significant transformations that occurred in the Brazilian religious field and faced the challenges imposed by different political conjunctures and changes in government.

Timeline

Over the past 50 years, ISER has been present in different areas of reflection, debate and action, working to strengthen democracy and defend rights. This timeline highlights actions, publications, research, films, training and meetings that ISER promoted throughout its history.

  • Foundation of the Higher Institute of Theological Studies – ISET, in São Paulo by Protestant and Catholic theologians with difficulties in their churches, due to the military regime. With the support of the World Council of Churches, ISET organized itself as a group of researchers, scientists and scholars.

  • Its mission was: “To develop interdisciplinary research that has a contribution to offer to theology” to understand the place of religion in Brazilian society.

  • Rubem Alves, one of the founders and first president of ISET. He remained in this position, alternating as executive secretary, until 1978.

*This timeline is under construction – and always will be. Would you like to correct or suggest any information? Please contact us at iser@iser.org.br

Timeline

Over the past 50 years, ISER has been present in different areas of reflection, debate and action, working to strengthen democracy and defend rights. This timeline seeks to highlight actions, publications, research, activities, films, training and meetings that ISER has promoted throughout its history.

  • Foundation of the Higher Institute of Theological Studies – ISET, in São Paulo by Protestant and Catholic theologians with difficulties in their churches, due to the military regime. With the support of the World Council of Churches, ISET organized itself as a group of researchers, scientists and scholars.

  • Its mission was: “To develop interdisciplinary research that has a contribution to offer to theology” to understand the place of religion in Brazilian society.

  • Rubem Alves, one of the founders and first president of ISET. He remained in this position, alternating as executive secretary, until 1978.

*This timeline is under construction – and always will be. Would you like to correct or suggest any information? Please contact us at iser@iser.org.br

Who we are

Our organizational structure is made up of the Members' Assembly, Deliberative Council, Executive Board and an interdisciplinary and diverse team of 24 people divided between Board, Administration and programmatic areas.

Team Profile

Gender

In recent years, ISER has been reviewing its affirmative action practices. The result is a more diverse team, including at managerial levels

RACE

AGE GROUP

RELIGION

board

Ana Carolina
Evangelist

Executive director

Clemir Fernandes

CEO
Adjunct

Luna Rozenbaum

Director of Operations

Regina Novaes

coordinator
academic

deliberative Council

Vilma Reis

Ronilso Pacheco

Alice Amorim

Barbara Mourao

Peter Strozenberg

Fiscal Council

Adriana Moura

Graciela Selaimen

Associates Assembly

André Luiz de Jesus Rodrigues

Fabiola Rohden

Yves do Amaral Lesbaupin

Lusmarina Campos Garcia

Marcelo Ayres Suede Lima

Maria Jose F. Rosado Nunes

Patricia Birman

Rubem Cesar Fernandes

Mauricio Lissovsky (in memory)

Neiva Vieira da Cunha

Leilah Landim Assumpção

Peter Strozenberg

Patricia Monte-Mor Alves de Morais (in memory)

Supporters

Networks

Councils in which ISER has an active participation

State Council for the Defense and Promotion of Religious Freedom (CONEPLIR)

State Committee to Prevent and Combat Torture

State Council for the Defense of Human Rights (CEDDH)

IRI Council - Interreligious Rainforest Initiative (IRI - Brazil)