New ICCI publication reflects on culture and democracy in Brazil and inspires communication strategies
Today, ICCI launches Culture and Democracy in Brazil: Communication Strategies for Here and Now (A Not-So-Practical Manual), a publication that celebrates culture, democracy, and communication, sectors that remain vibrant and creative despite the crises and uncertainties of our time.
Inspired by life in every corner — on the streets and online, on stages and on screens, in the peripheries, in the press, and in the conversations of everyday life — the publication brings together practices, ideas, and strategies that nourish the democratic imagination and breathe new forms of action into the world.
Culture as a force for imagination and change
Now available in full in its digital version, the publication brings together 14 chapters and starts from the idea that culture shapes how we imagine the world. It reaches millions and brings people together around political and social debates, even if that connection isn’t always as structured or intentional as it could be.
The publication dives into the intersections of culture and democracy in Brazil, drawing on reflections from creative professionals, communicators, and ICCI’s team. It invites readers to see pop culture, from music to viral series, as a dynamic space where narratives can be shaped and reimagined, with the power to mobilize awareness and inspire action across many agendas, including climate and social justice.
Where culture, politics, and imagination collide
With original graphic collages created especially for the project and inspired by each chapter’s themes, the publication delves into topics that go from understanding ‘baile funk’ as political expression to philanthropy that engages with storytelling. It also highlights Lélia Gonzalez’s ideas affirming the Black and Indigenous roots of Brazilian identity, alongside reflections on the symbols that emerge from the streets and connect fashion, consumption, and politics.
Other chapters explore how to produce content in the age of noise, algorithms, and generational shifts; the role of journalism as a political strategy; and the power of historical reparations and affirmative action in film to strengthen Black narratives. The ‘manual’ also examines philanthropic practices engaged with narratives and the many ways of narrating a plural Brazil while questioning whether that is possible amid so many voices.
Voices and stories that inspire
One of the most inspiring moments in the publication is the lessons shared by filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer Chica Andrade, where she speaks about creating narratives with a real capacity to transform society. In another chapter, the publication reflects on ideas guided by Paolo Demuru’s Politics of Enchantment, which inspire new ways of telling stories that evoke wonder and connection. It also includes insights from singer and songwriter Russo Passapusso, whose voice and art embody the very art of drawing crowds.
From dialogue to strategy
The themes presented in the publication were first discussed during ICCI’s 2025 event, “Democracy, Popular Culture, and Pop Culture: Strategies for the Here and Now.” The gathering brought together representatives from across culture, communication, activism, philanthropy, social organizations, and the creative sector to reflect on the role of popular and pop culture in defending and strengthening democracy. From this encounter emerged the idea for this strategic “not-so-practical” manual: an analytical work that not only documents but also interprets and interconnects the ideas shared at the event.
Imagining new pathways
The result is a practical and accessible resource for those engaged in the fields of democracy, social justice, and culture. Rather than offering ready-made formulas or definitive answers, the ICCI team hopes that this manual offers insights, reflections, and examples that illuminate the current landscape and help envision possible paths forward.
In a country as vast and diverse as Brazil, these pathways take shape through creative narratives and gestures that draw strength from words, art, and culture, expressions that remain essential in a world defined by struggles over meaning, stories, and imaginaries.
Check out the full publication here: iccibr.org/publications