With a career that combines engineering precision with articulation in public management, Vinícius Marchese, current president of Confea (Federal Council of Engineering and Agronomy), argues that technical knowledge can be a key component in transforming public management in Brazil. A RenovaBR alumnus, Marchese believes in the leading role of technical professionals in formulating evidence-based public policies with real impact. 

A telecommunications engineer, Marchese is from Mogi-Guaçu, São Paulo, and his work has, from an early age, focused on innovation, communication, and sustainable development, a hallmark of his tenure at Crea-SP. In 2022, he completed his political training through RenovaBR and holds the position of alternate federal deputy for the state of São Paulo. Since then, he has combined his technical and political expertise in leadership roles. 

Engineering as an ally of good public management

"I've always seen politics as a tool for solving real problems. My journey began with a sense of unease; first as a student, then as a technology professional. During my undergraduate degree in engineering, I noticed a disconnect between professional bodies and young people entering the profession. This realization became motivation. I sought to understand the system, met with professional associations, participated in the creation of Crea-SP Jovem, and since then, I've never stopped working for change," says Marchese. 

He soon realized that institutional action alone was not enough to bring about change and took sides to compete in the spaces where public policies are formulated, seeking to strengthen his participation in partisan politics. "The presence of technical professionals in politics is urgent. Our role is fundamental in developing sustainable, efficient, and responsible solutions. And there will only be real change when we stop being mere observers and become protagonists," he comments. 

According to Vinícius, his undergraduate degree taught him problem-solving, but party politics broadened his perspective on the impact of national policies, proposed technical agendas, and an understanding of legislative mechanisms. He believes this combination provides him with a more comprehensive understanding of how to transform complex problems into cross-cutting strategies applicable to Brazilian cities. 

Technical and political training

For the current president of Confea, political learning is part of his daily routine, enabling him to listen to multiple interests and build consensus. "As a substitute and active liaison in several municipalities in São Paulo, I understand the importance of representation, co-accountability, and technical-political dialogue. As president of Confea, I apply these lessons to ensure collegial decisions, data-driven policies, and broad participation of registered professionals," explains the leader. 

THE Confea research, conducted with Quaest, reveals that 95% of Engineering professionals believe that their activities contribute to a better Brazil —this, according to Marchese, enriches the technical debate in decision-making spheres. He believes it is essential to propose political projects that emerge from a solid technical foundation and are supported by evidence.

In practice, since taking over Confea, Vinícius points out that he has expanded the debate. That is, the Councils have become part of the public debate and fostered professional participation in the development of public policies, including innovation, technology, and regional development. 

"I firmly believe that innovation and technology only make sense when they directly impact people's lives and the development of cities. Therefore, we need to be part of discussions about our future, whether in our professions or in our municipalities. To this end, we launched several initiatives, such as Confea Open Day, the System's first hackathon, which sought to foster innovative projects within and outside the agency. We also worked on implementing Innovation Tracks with teams from all Creas to discuss smart cities, digital transformation, and the role of engineering in this context, among other initiatives," explains Marchese. 

Infrastructure challenges 

In his view, Brazil faces challenges in modernizing its infrastructure and regulation. In such a diverse country, the context changes from city to city, from neighborhood to neighborhood. But for Marchese, this is a window for active participation, both from technical professionals and from society itself. 

 "There's no way to build a country without engineering. There's no future for the economy without the work of engineers, agronomists, and geoscientists in Brazil. Without these professionals, the country grinds to a halt. So we have another challenge at hand: attracting young people to the technology field," he states. 

He points out that the field is already dealing with the effects of low demand for these courses, resulting in shelved projects. A survey by Confea, published in May of this year, shows that this is a booming market demanding qualified professionals—of the 48,000 respondents, 921 TP3T are currently working. However, experts point to a shortage of professionals in the field, which is why, according to Marchese, coordination between the Confea System and the government is essential. 

The leadership emphasizes that public engagement in political debate must be increasingly encouraged to drive changes in how public demands are addressed. "Beyond knowledge of the legislative agenda and executive measures, the public must hold their representatives accountable to ensure that laws meet the real needs of municipalities."