Vice President of Education and Innovation at IBGM
Manoel Bernardes is the Vice President of Education and Innovation at the Brazilian Gems and Jewellery Trade Association (IBGM). A Civil Engineer from UFMG with a specialization in Financial Management from Fundação Dom Cabral, he is the current President of the Manoel Bernardes Group, which operates in retail, wholesale (both domestic and international) of jewelry and gemstones, and jewelry manufacturing.Active in the industry since 1975, he served as President of the Jewelry, Goldsmithing, Gemstone Cutting, and Watchmaking Industry Union of Minas Gerais state (SINDIJOIAS MG) from 2017 to 2022. Additionally, he was the Honorary Consul of France in Belo Horizonte from 2004 to 2021.
Brazil’s commitment to high compliance and sustainability standards is shaping the future of its gemstone sector and could serve as a global benchmark for responsible gemstone mining. However, achieving these standards presents challenges, particularly for small-scale miners, who often struggle with access to legal frameworks, financial resources, and technical support. This session will explore how Brazil is balancing environmental and ethical responsibilities with the realities of gemstone mining. Moderator : Manoel Bernardes
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