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Summary
History – A century ago today, the first Japanese immigrants arrived in Brazil. Sent to work on the coffee farms of upstate São Paulo, at first they faced many hardships to adapt. Today, their descendants are completely integrated into the Brazilian society and work in the most diverse professional sectors.
Foreign trade – Trade exchange between Brazil and some African nations does not stop growing. Despite an already consolidated Brazilian presence mainly in Portuguese-speaking countries, government and business spare no effort to conquer more space in a market where shortages are ripe with business opportunities.
Economy – Following the example set by Petrobras, a number of Brazilian companies, under the winds of globalization, open offices abroad. Among them are mighty Vale and smaller companies as Gerdau, Marcopolo, Sabó, WEG, JBS-Friboi, and many others. For these companies, internationalizing has become the best strategy to face fierce competition.
Agriculture
• In Brazil, it is estimated that there exist approximately 500,000 hectares of organic crops, whose produce generates some US$ 75 million at home and US$ 175 million in exports. With great potential for growth, this market is now looking to sector regulation.
• In spite of the strong lobby of the chemical industry and low investment levels in biotechnology, biological control, a natural plague-control method, is growing in Brazil.
Trade unionism – As it celebrates a century of activities in Brazil, the labor movement faces unprecedented survival challenges. A strategic lag with the new labor market setting appears as the greatest difficulty, which, in the opinion of pundits, will only be overcome with a sweeping reform.
Agrarian issue – The São Paulo State region known as the Pontal do Paranapanema is always remembered as one of the most tumultuous stages of land conflicts in Brazil. It all started 150 years ago, when the titles of two gigantic farms were issued irregularly. Today, the Landless Workers’ Movement demands that these lands be considered public, so they can be used for new settlements.
Health – Ever more diversified activities routinely employ radioactive sources. However, due to its perilousness, the use of radiation requires constant surveillance and close oversight, which has not always been the case.
Energy – Small-scale farmers are mobilizing to participate in the biofuels market. Many initiatives are in progress for the production of ethanol, biodiesel and natural vegetable oil; yet, in most cases, without any government support.
Sports – Fifty years ago, Brazil conquered for the first time the Soccer World Cup. Since then, the country has collected many victories, which, however, were not enough to keep the main national sport from becoming the source of countless scandals and an example of disrespect for the soccer fan.
Literature – The month of July 2008 marks the centennial of birth of poet, painter, actor and playwright Solano Trindade, whose greatest legacy was to fuse the claims of the Blacks with the fundamental problems of Brazil’s class struggle.
Interview – Writers Affonso Romano de Sant’Anna and Marina Colasanti, married since 1971, speak on their individual and joint work, and on their sources of inspiration.
Memory – With the creation, seven decades ago, of the Institute for the National Historic and Artistic Legacy, Brazil, contrarily to what used to happen in the past, has dedicated greater care to the preservation of the national memory. Underpinned by incentive bills and tax exemptions, preservationist policies seek, above all, to increase the historical inventory with the aim of generating work and knowledge.
Juridical studies – The government is offering the country a tax reform bill. Members of the Fecomercio Higher Law Council, recently convened, made several objections to the proposal, considered "a text that failed expectations". The initiative, according to the chairman of the organ, is not sufficiently bold, and may pose serious problems for the economy.
Thematic panel – Medical doctor, professor and journalist Pedro Kassab, an ex-president of the World Medical Association, debated with members of the Fecomercio, Sesc and Senac Economics, Sociology and Politics Council on the theme "Education and the role of the family". In his opinion, education is life’s main pillar and the main partner of the family, this "irreplaceable entity".