Letter in support of Pochmann brings together intellectuals – 07/31/2023 – Mônica Bergamo

About one hundred university professors, intellectuals, architects and lawyers have already signed a letter expressing “unconditional support” for the nomination of economist Marcio Pochmann for the presidency of the IBGE (Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics).

According to the document, Pochmann has a “remarkable professional career” as a political scientist and professor at Unicamp (State University of Campinas), in São Paulo, and contributed significantly to the understanding of Brazil as a country on the periphery of capitalism.

Among the signatories of the letter are the director of the Faculty of Architecture and Urbanism at USP (University of São Paulo), João Sette Whitaker Ferreira, economics professor at Uerj (State University of Rio de Janeiro) Juliane Furno and former secretary of Culture of São Paulo Nabil Bonduki.

“We believe that Professor Márcio Pochmann has the ability to strengthen the IBGE as a robust institution committed to the production of reliable and relevant data to support public policies that promote social equality, the improvement of living conditions and sustainable development in throughout the Brazilian territory”, he says.

“Our votes in support of economist Márcio Pochmann are based on the recognition of his suitability and competence, based on a professional career dedicated to building a fairer, more inclusive and prosperous Brazil for all”, he continues.

The initiative is articulated by BrCidades, a network made up of academics dedicated to building more socially just and sustainable cities.

The text, which remains open for new signatures, also points out that the IBGE is of crucial importance for carrying out scientific research and for building public policies, and that, therefore, a leadership committed to science, the fight against inequality and equitable development of the country is necessary.

The choice of the PT economist for the IBGE, confirmed last week, generated criticism on the part of those who consider that Pochmann would have too much of an interventionist profile to command the research body.

Critics dispute, for example, his passage as president of Ipea (Institute for Applied Economic Research), from 2007 to 2012. Pochmann’s management was controversial, with accusations of political rigging at the time.

The IBGE is seen as the main source of official data about Brazil and Brazilians. Its surveys reveal indicators in different areas, such as the economy, demography, health and education.

Statistics can serve as subsidies for the elaboration and adjustment of public policies. For this reason, the IBGE’s independence from governing bodies is considered fundamental.

Read below the full letter articulated by BrCidades in support of Marcio Pochmann:

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