New employees of the Rio Botanical Garden take office in a ceremony at ENBT

The civil servants who passed the public competition for the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Research Institute took office on Monday (August 4) at a ceremony held at the National School of Tropical Botany. The new civil servants will occupy positions as researchers, technologists, and analysts in Science and Technology.

The president of the institution, Sergio Besserman Vianna, the director of Management, Eliezer de Sousa Nunes, the director of Knowledge, Environment, and Technology, Marcia Faraco, the director of Scientific Research, Leonardo Tavares Salgado, the director of the National School of Tropical Botany (ENBT), Marinez Ferreira de Siqueira, and the director of the National Center for Flora Conservation (CNC/Flora), Gustavo Martinelli, were present.

At the opening of the ceremony, the president of the Special Public Competition Commission of the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, Paulo Victor de Sousa Almeida, emphasized that, in order for the process to be completed in just twelve months, a team of 10 people worked with exemplary dedication.

“Your selection was based on your commitment to science, the advancement of knowledge, and the protection of Brazilian flora and fungi. Being a public servant is much more than just exercising a profession; it is contributing to the functioning of the State and, above all, to the implementation of public policies. Today, you become guardians of Brazilian biodiversity,” he emphasized.

Next, the director of CNCFlora discussed the work carried out by the Center and the role of the new employees at the Center.

"Today marks the beginning of a new phase in your professional careers in the service of Brazilian biodiversity conservation. CNCFlora is a national reference in assessing the risk of extinction of plant species, planning action plans for the conservation of these threatened species, and producing data and tools that guide public policies for sustainable use conservation. It is precisely the contribution of each new employee that makes it possible to strengthen this mission," emphasized Gustavo Martinelli.

Marinez Siqueira highlighted ENBT's postgraduate and extension activities and the participation of new employees in that unit.

“I leave the School's doors open to you so that we can work together, collaboratively, to expand teaching and extension,” said Marinez de Siqueira.

The Director of Scientific Research echoed Marinez Siqueira's sentiments.

“We are an institution that works together, and this is a collective achievement for the entire institution. You will move between the different departments so that we can continue to advance in research, teaching, and the conservation of our biodiversity,” said Leonardo Tavares Salgado.

The Director of Knowledge, Environment, and Technology also pointed out that the Rio Botanical Garden is an institution for scientific research, environmental education, and a world-renowned tourist attraction.

- You now take on a fundamental role in one of the oldest and most respected institutions in the country, a center for research and teaching, a symbol of biodiversity conservation, and a living heritage of Rio de Janeiro tourism. The Botanical Garden is great because of its history, but it is even greater because of what we do together every day – said Márcia Faraco.

The Director of Management, Eliezer de Sousa Nunes, highlighted the dedication of the civil servants who took part in the competition.

“You have won and made it this far. You win and the Botanical Garden wins. The Botanical Garden belongs to you and you belong to the Botanical Garden.”

At the end of the ceremony, President Sergio Besserman Vianna welcomed the new employees and thanked the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, for her efforts in organizing the public competition.

- I would like to extend my special thanks to Minister Marina and the MMA team, who gave us their full support to make this competition happen. I would also like to thank the directors of the Garden, Paulo Victor and his team, and the staff of the president's office. I have had the honor of being a public servant for 45 years. Congratulations to all of you. This is a huge achievement and a great responsibility. You are entering public service at a time of a major biodiversity crisis of enormous proportions, with great uncertainty and much fear. The future of humanity will depend on how we face it. With great effort and dedication, you are here so that this institution can play its role in enriching Brazilian biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and providing technical and scientific support for many public policies. By passing this exam, you have also gained a purpose at this moment in human history," concluded the president of the JBRJ.

Sergio Besserman Vianna then handed over the terms of office and employee badges to the new civil servants: Aline da Silva Costa, Amanda de Oliveira Barros, Andre Monnerat Lanna, Caetano Troncoso Oliveira, Damaris de Oliveira Santos, Jacqueline de Souza Lima, Jessyca Adelle Silva Santos, Livia Vieira Araujo de Castilho, Lucas Costa Monteiro Lopes, Marcio Verdi (Science and Technology analysts), Domingos Benício Oliveira Silva Cardoso, Guilherme Gerhardt Mazzochini, Luis Felipe Daibes de Andrade, Ricardo da Gama Bahia, Ricardo Sousa Couto (researchers), Diego Belo da Silva, Jorge Makhlouta Alonso, Paolo de Castro Martins Masson, and Rodrigo Tomazetto de Carvalho (technologists).

Click here to watch the ceremony on YouTube.

Inauguration of new civil servants