CASCAIS: HUMANITARIAN CIVIL DIPLOMACY SHAPES A SHARED FUTURE

Honours, Appointments and New Civil Diplomat Accreditations

Humanitarian Civil Diplomacy in Cascais brought together leaders, public representatives and Civil Diplomats at the Forte da Cidadela de Cascais on 24 June 2026.

The Solemn Act of the Civil Diplomat Jethro International Organisation honoured lives of service, appointed new Expansion Directors and welcomed a new group of Humanitarian Civil Diplomats.

Throughout the evening, the programme reinforced a central message: meaningful social transformation grows through leadership, cooperation and a shared commitment to humanity.

The ceremony was hosted by Colonel José Geraldo, National Director of Civil Diplomat Jethro International Organisation in Portugal. It was conducted by Helena da Fonseca, Civil Diplomat and Master of Ceremonies.

An opening shaped by purpose and welcome

Jenifer Freire, First Lady of Global Civil Diplomacy, opened the Solemn Act with a warm welcome to all guests and authorities present.

Her opening remarks set a tone of dignity, generosity and institutional purpose. Jenifer then invited Helena da Fonseca to lead the proceedings as the official Master of Ceremonies.

Also, as Head and Chief Financial Officer of Jethro International, Jenifer Freire represents a leadership approach that combines strategic responsibility with a commitment to humanitarian values.

Helena da Fonseca leads the ceremony

Helena da Fonseca conducted the evening with clarity, sensitivity and institutional elegance.

Her role reflected a trajectory marked by humanitarian commitment, generosity and participation in international social projects. Throughout the programme, Helena guided guests through the recognitions, appointments and Civil Diplomat accreditations.

She welcomed the authorities and guests gathered at the historic venue. She also highlighted the importance of Humanitarian Civil Diplomacy as a practical path for social cooperation and responsible global action.

Civil Diplomat Jethro International Organisation has its headquarters in Europe and maintains an active presence in 162 countries. Its mission is to mobilise leaders from different sectors of society for humanitarian, social and global-impact initiatives.

Head Table and institutional representatives

The protocol of the Solemn Act included the following institutional representatives:

• Dr Renato Freire, World President of Civil Diplomat Jethro International Organisation.
• Colonel José Geraldo, National Director in Portugal and host of the event.
• David Silva, Expansion Director of Civil Diplomat Jethro International Organisation.
• Carlos Manuel Jorge Alves, President of the Municipal Council of Arruda dos Vinhos.
• Carla Teresa Munhoz Pinheiro, Councillor of the Municipal Council of Arruda dos Vinhos.

Colonel José Geraldo opened the institutional programme with remarks that welcomed the guests and reaffirmed the value of service, leadership and humanitarian responsibility.

David Silva also joined the institutional moment, representing the work of Jethro Expansion Directors in supporting Civil Diplomats across their respective areas of activity.

International projects and community safety

Tiago Gonçalves, Civil Diplomat and International Director of Jethro in Dubai, addressed the audience about initiatives and projects developed in Dubai.

His participation highlighted the expansion of Jethro’s international presence and the importance of dialogue between cultures, communities and professional sectors.

Nuno Sabino, Civil Diplomat and Expansion Director for Community Safety, also presented his work. With more than two decades of experience in Portugal’s Public Security Police, he has built a professional trajectory in management, inspection, training and operational intervention.

His contribution underlined the relationship between community safety, citizenship, professional preparation and social responsibility.

Martin Luther King Jr. Award honours lives of service

One of the most meaningful moments of the evening was the presentation of the Martin Luther King Jr. Award.

Civil Diplomat Jethro International Organisation grants this highest honour to leaders who embody the values of peace, equity, dignity and humanitarian action.

During the Cascais ceremony, two distinguished women received recognition for their contributions to human development, culture, education and social transformation.

Reliane de Carvalho

Reliane de Carvalho was honoured with the Martin Luther King Jr. Award for her sustained work in human development, emotional wellbeing and community engagement.

Born in Deodápolis, in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Reliane demonstrated an early connection with writing. She wrote her first book at the age of 12.

She holds a degree in Nursing and Obstetrics from the Federal University of Paraná. During much of her professional life, she dedicated herself to caring for people living with diabetes.

In southern Brazil, she became recognised as a diabetes educator, lecturer and coordinator of the Dassette Education Programme in Curitiba.

In 2012, Reliane expanded her professional path. She began to study the emotional, psychological and human dimensions of suffering in greater depth.

Her purpose was to understand the human being through a more integrated and compassionate perspective.

She later qualified in Clinical and Regression Hypnosis, completed training in Systemic Constellations and earned a Master’s degree in Emotion Sciences from ISCTE in Lisbon.

She is currently studying Psychology at the European University.

In Portugal, Reliane has also developed significant cultural and associative work. She served as Vice-President of the Elos Clube de Lisboa for nearly a decade.

In 2025, she was elected President of the institution.

As the author of several works on human development, emotions and interpersonal relationships, Reliane combines science, culture and sensitivity.

Her journey reflects a clear mission: helping people overcome challenges, discover new paths and live with greater awareness, confidence and quality of life.

 

Dyandreia Valverde Portugal

Dyandreia Valverde Portugal received the Martin Luther King Jr. Award in recognition of a life devoted to culture, communication, education and the strengthening of Lusophone connections.

A Luso-Brazilian journalist, corporate pedagogue, author and visual artist, Dyandreia holds a specialisation in Human Resources and a postgraduate qualification in Psychopedagogy from UERJ.

Throughout her professional career, she held leadership roles in major companies and institutions. Her experience includes Transpev and DETRAN, where she worked in people training and development.

Nearly 25 years ago, Dyandreia entered the cultural sphere. Since then, she has helped establish and strengthen organisations connected to literature, the arts, communication and Lusophone culture.

For 13 years, she has chaired Rede Sem Fronteiras, an institution that promotes cultural exchanges and the Portuguese language in more than 30 countries.

She was also a cultural presenter on a television channel affiliated with Rede Globo in Brazil. In addition, she edited the Jornal Sem Fronteiras for five years.

As an author, Dyandreia published Conversa (A)Fiada, a bilingual work of chronicles and short stories. She also wrote the crime novel Reconstruindo Castelos de Areia.

Furthermore, she has contributed as a co-author to more than 100 literary anthologies.

Dyandreia previously served as President of the Rotary Club. She also holds prominent positions in cultural and literary institutions.

She is President Emerita of AJEB, Honorary President of ALALS, Vice-President in Brazil of ACLAL and International Affairs Director of UBE-RJ.

As a member of academies in Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Portugal, France, Italy and Switzerland, Dyandreia Valverde Portugal represents a life dedicated to culture, the written word, unity among peoples and the value of Lusophone identity.

 

New Expansion Directors appointed

The Solemn Act also marked the appointment of seven new Expansion Directors of Civil Diplomat Jethro International Organisation.

These appointments reinforce the organisation’s commitment to supporting Civil Diplomats in their professional fields, humanitarian initiatives and areas of social impact.

The newly appointed Directors are:

• Ana Paula Brito de Souza – Expansion Director for Women’s Wellbeing and Self-Esteem.
• Liana do Ó de Castro Climent – Expansion Director for Education, Human Development and Women’s Leadership.
• Maria Antonelly Lopes de Sousa – Expansion Director for Child Protection and Immigrant Integration.
• Elvina Belmira – Expansion Director for Philanthropy and Social Impact in Angola.
• João Manuel Segunda – Expansion Director.
• Rui Miguel Coelho – Expansion Director for Europe.
• Glaura Melati – Expansion Director for International Business.

New Humanitarian Civil Diplomats accredited

During the Solemn Act, new members received the credentials of Humanitarian Civil Diplomacy.

The accreditations were organised according to the respective Expansion Directors and areas of responsibility.

Katlen Tavares, Expansion Director for Influence

• Ana Maria Carvalho – ID 8634
• Michele Dias Paula Batista – ID 9111
• Tharles Ballen dos Reis – ID 9125

 

Nayra França, Expansion Director

• Getúlio Rosa Rodrigues – ID 9128
• João Paulo Gouveia Barradas – ID 9070

 

Rui Miguel, Expansion Director for Europe

• Andriana Landegent Tedjawirja – ID 9121

 

Carolina Araújo, Expansion Director

• Helen Marlen Rocha Mendes – ID 9100
• Maria de Fátima Sousa Oliveira – ID 9065
• Ulysses Antonio Campos – ID 9127

 

Diego Fonseca, Jethro Travel Expansion Director

• Herlander Filipe Alves Madaleno – ID 9066
• João Pedro Rocha Santos – ID 9129

 

Michelle Diniz, Expansion Director for Female Social Impact

• Ilma Maisa Fernandes de Sousa – ID 9118
• Dercia Leio Domingos Pedro – ID 9134

 

Ana Carvalho, Expansion Director for Psychology for Business

• Cristina Maria Alves Gomes – ID 8971
• Linia Dionisia Brandt – ID 8984
• Patricia Mingotti Pio da Silva – ID 9036

João Segunda, Expansion Director

• Kianda de Almeida Trozo – ID 8836

Elisângela Dias, International Expansion Director

• Ana Paula Brito de Souza – ID 9042
• Caroline Rocha Teixeira – ID 9119
• Maria Antonelly Lopes de Sousa – ID 9131
• Raquel Alexandra Lopes da Silva Stewart – ID 9074
• Myllena Sergel da Silva – ID 9132
• Liana do Ó de Castro – ID 9072
• Gael Alexis Denis Climent – ID 9106

 

David Silva, Expansion Director

• Sweine de Sousa Rabelais Rodrigues Coelho – ID 9055
• Miguel Antonio Vieira da Silva – ID 9103
• Gonçalo Moniz Macedo – ID 9104
• Luís Fernando Salvador Fernandes Lopes Vieira – ID 9102

Elvina de Azevedo, Expansion Director for Philanthropy and Social Impact in Angola

• Luzayadio Nsimba Simba – ID 9073
• Tomas Bica Mumbundo – ID 9057

 

Appreciation to the Organising Team

Civil Diplomat Jethro International Organisation extends its sincere appreciation to the entire organising team whose dedication made this Solemn Act possible. Through careful planning, hospitality, protocol coordination and commitment to excellence, the team helped create an evening worthy of the honourees, newly appointed Directors and accredited Civil Diplomats. Their collective work ensured that the occasion reflected the dignity, unity and humanitarian purpose of the organisation.

A Closing Message of Commitment

Colonel José Geraldo concluded the Solemn Act with a closing address that brought the evening’s purpose into focus.

The ceremony in Cascais became a meeting point for stories of service, cultural dialogue and new commitments to humanitarian action.

More than a formal event, the occasion affirmed that Humanitarian Civil Diplomacy is strengthened whenever individuals choose to lead with responsibility, cooperation and care for others.

Images by Lenny Coser