“Introducing yourself as an observer of rural education”: the itinerary, calendar and map of lourenço filho in Mexico (1947 - 1951)

ABSTRACT This text aims to understand Manoel Bergstrom Lourenço Filho work agenda and itinerary in Mexico, between 1947 and 1951. The gateway to the development of this text was the two trips of this Brazilian educator inserted in a movement of ideas and subjects in congresses, printed matter, recommendations, and documents guiding educational policies, carried out by the United Nations Educational Organization, Science and Culture (UNESCO). It is, therefore, an investigation about the circulation of ideas that guided rural education in Brazil, at a time when Mexico was placing itself as a successful reference in rural education in all Latin America. Regarding the theoretical-methodological options, it is a historical work with the methodology of Connected History, centred on documentary and bibliographic research. Reports, newspapers, magazines, photographs, and correspondence are taken as sources. Finally, it can be concluded that Lourenço Filho two trips to Mexico fulfilled an institutional work plan, especially on the occasion of the Second UNESCO General Conference and the I meeting of the Inter-American Cultural Council, in addition to touring the country in search of observing rural education experiences.