Four days of reflections on citizenship, ethics, and social transformation through image
From 16 to 19 September, Lusófona University hosted the Illustration Days, an event that brought together students, researchers, illustrators, designers, and image professionals to reflect on the role of illustration as a tool for citizenship and social transformation.
The initiative was based on the premise that illustration, as a visual language, transcends linguistic, cultural, and social barriers, offering new perspectives for thinking about major contemporary challenges — from environmental sustainability to social inclusion.
Four days of debate and reflection
The programme included masterclasses, conferences, thematic panels, and round tables, with the participation of national and international experts. The opening session, held at the Professor José Araújo Auditorium, launched the conferences with the panel Dar a Ver, where researchers such as Pedro Cunha, Orlando Franco, and Teresa Palma Rodrigues explored the relationship between illustration, science, and artistic expression.
In the following days, the debates expanded to central themes such as representation and inclusion, decolonisation, ecology, mental health, and the role of children’s illustration in education for citizenship. Particular emphasis was given to the round table “With the world in our hands: what responsibilities, what sensibilities, what actions, what commitments, what challenges?”, organised by CECAM, which brought together lecturers and researchers to discuss the ethical and social dimensions of illustration practice.
Illustrator’s voice
The event concluded with the presentation of the book Dita Dor, from the collection Missão: Democracia, by illustrator António Jorge Gonçalves, inviting the audience to reflect on the relationships between image, memory, and citizenship.
Coverage
Video
Ruben Barbacena
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Rui Simões
News
Ruben Barbacena
