Sesc SP

Old people – Nowadays human being is having a longer life, but life expectancy improvement needs to be reexamined in many of the concepts related to old people. The growth of the number of the aged in the coming years leads the society to discuss policies not only on public health but also on using the productive potential of these people.

Telecommunications – The privatization of the wire-line and mobile telephony system in Brazil has produced a sharp increase in the sector, fact that has surprised even the most optimistic analysts. Although the telephones have come down in price, thus becoming popular, the number of complaints about the poor service provided by telecom companies has increased, mainly about tariff, which has led to a breach of contract among phone subscribers.

Fish farming – The extractive fishing seems to have reached its limits, for it increased less than 1 per cent in the period of 1994 to 1999. The main causes of the decline of production are the predatory fishing and the sea pollution. However, in the same period of time, while the world population grew by 7 per cent, the world production of fish increased at about 11.5 per cent. That was made possible because of the fish and mollusc production in captivity in fish farm, a growing economic activity all over the world.

Internet – After a state of euphoria produced by the rapid expansion of dot-com enterprises, followed by a series of bankruptcies in the sector, the situation of these so-called virtual companies has started to stabilize. The early bankruptcy of many companies which have been valued at millions of dollars until recently has made the remaining ones to adopt more down-to-earth survival strategies, in tune with the economic laws, which, in spite of being old enough, show the result it is hoped for.

Racial issue – Bearing in mind the United Nations World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance, held in Durban, South Africa, in 2001, Brazil has started a debate on how to fight racial inequalities. The discussion is about the adoption of quota system and affirmative actions, which make sure that access to employment and education is given to black people.

Behavior – Funk, a type of modern American music which has reached a large audience in Rio de Janeiro, is now closely connected with violence, drugs, and degradation of women in the dancing halls on the periphery of the towns and on the poor hillsides of Rio. Many people involved with this process hold political power, and the funk DJs, due to their popularity, become electioneers in some politicians’ electoral campaign.

Income distribution – In September 2001 the businessman Jan Wiegerinck gave a speech at the Federacao do Comercio do Estado de Sao Paulo’s Council of Economy, Sociology and Politics on income distribution. He said that the right to freedom and education should be given to the populations to be encouraged to realize their full potential.