The Vice-Rector of the University of Coimbra, Professor Doctor João Nuno Calvão da Silva, and lecturer Professor Doctor Ibsen José Casas Noronha were honored in Brazil with the Title of Citizen of Vila Boa de Goiás, a distinction that recognizes personalities not native to the municipality of Vila Boa de Goiás who have contributed significantly to local development and the promotion of culture, science and law. The ceremony took place at the Cine Teatro São Joaquim, in the city of Goiás, during the closing of the I Luso-Brazilian Symposium on Electoral Process, Protection of Democracy and Freedom of Expression.
The symposium was organized in partnership between the Regional Electoral Court of Goiás and the University of Coimbra, bringing together ministers, magistrates, legal scholars and academics from Portugal and Brazil. In the opening session, Vice-Rector João Nuno Calvão da Silva delivered the keynote address, underscoring the historical ties between the institutions and highlighting Coimbra as "the most Brazilian University outside Brazil." Lecturer Ibsen José Casas Noronha led the first panel of the event, dedicated to the theme "Local Power Elections in Vila Boa de Goiás in the 18th Century," and presented his book "Dom João VI and the Law in Brazil: the bienes de alma in João VI's legislation."
The title award ceremony also featured the tribute to Gabriel José de Orleans e Bragança, who delivered the speech on behalf of all honorees, to the President of the TRE-GO, Judge Elizabeth Maria da Silva, to the Attorney General of the State of Goiás, Ronald Christian Alves Bicca, and to the Minister of the Superior Court of Justice, Teodoro Silva Santos.
Throughout the event, topics were discussed such as combating disinformation on social media, the limits of intervention in electoral debate and comparative perspectives on the integrity and trust in democratic institutions in both countries. The proceedings culminated with the approval and publication of the Charter of the I Luso-Brazilian Symposium, a document that summarizes the reflections and conclusions of the participants.
