The Aruanã Instituto Pan-Amazonian was one of three civil society organizations selected in the ECOAR 2025 Call for Proposals, promoted by the Institute for Development and Human Rights (IDDH).

The initiative aims to strengthen the participation of human rights defenders in United Nations (UN) spaces, with in-person activities scheduled for September 2025, in Geneva, Switzerland.

The selection recognizes Aruanã's track record in strengthening democracy, promoting socio-environmental justice, and defending the rights of the peoples of the Pan-Amazon. Founded by Amazonians, the institute has worked at the intersection of applied research, political advocacy, and the appreciation of territorial knowledge, focusing on developing public policies sensitive to local realities.

"The opportunity to participate in this international training is a way to expand our scope of action and deepen our capacity for dialogue with multilateral mechanisms, without losing sight of our grassroots commitment. Bringing the Aruanã experience to a forum like the UN is, above all, a way to affirm that the Amazon has its own thinking, strategy, and articulation," says Luiza Aikawa, program director.

In addition to Aruanã, the Indigenous Council of Roraima (CIR) and the Landless Workers' Movement (MST) were also considered. Five other organizations were classified as alternates and may be called upon according to the criteria set out in the notice.

Participation in ECOAR is intended for members of the International Advocacy Network (RAI), coordinated by IDDH, and seeks to expand the presence of Brazilian organizations in multilateral spaces, promoting qualified advocacy and building bridges between territorial struggles and international human rights commitments.

For Aruanã, inclusion in this agenda represents the continuation of a trajectory that combines local action with global outreach, reaffirming the strategic role of Amazonian organizations in formulating responses to the climate crisis, structural inequalities, and the defense of collective rights.