Summary

Brazil – On the Chapada Diamantina – a far-reaching plateau in the heart of the state of Bahia –, ecotourism has become an important source of employment and income. Rich in natural beauties, the region attracts visitors from all around the world and offers a variety of highlights such as trails, historical itineraries, extreme sports and plenty of rivers and waterfalls.

Health – Quite precarious is the financial situation of the country’s philanthropic hospitals, primarily engaged in the caring of patients from the public health system. The origin of the permanent deficits can be traced to a mismatch between the government’s outlays and the actual management costs incurred in their functioning.

Biodiversity – Whether brought inadvertently or to be exploited commercially, exotic species – animals, plants or microorganisms – reproduce without any control, eventually causing serious damage to the environment they come to inhabit. The problem is so serious that national and international entities are mobilizing to combat these invaders.

Transport – After near extinction, coasting trade in Brazil is undergoing a period of recovery, due mainly to the appalling conditions of roads in general. Smaller ports in the country, however, should not benefit from this process for the trend signals to more concentration of cargo operations in larger-scale ports.

Amazon region – Over the last 40 years, the occupation of the region, based on the expansion of crop and cattle farming and the extraction of wood and minerals, has left a troubling record of crimes against the environment and human rights. It is in such context that Catholic missionaries, Brazilians and foreigners, carry out their work in support of the exploited.

Citizenship
• Brazil’s high violence statistics, especially among the youth, have prompted the government to seek ways to change this reality. Among the initiatives with promising results stands out the Open School Program, whose objective is to offer students and their families options in terms of entertainment and sports practice over the weekend.
• In recent years, a movement has been gaining momentum that seeks to open a space for citizens to discuss and take part in the decision-making regarding social issues. One of the mechanisms set in place for such purpose is the public policy council, which has proved to be one of the most effective channels of the so-called "participatory democracy".

Social inclusion – The act mandating companies with more than one hundred workers to keep a certain percentage of physically disabled on their staff has raised controversy. Some sectors of the economy, given the specific nature of their work, claim to be able to admit only those workers in full mental and physical capacity.

Grassroots culture – Among Brazil’s countless folklore manifestations, the bumba-meu-boi is by far the most popular in the state of Maranhão. Constrained for more than one century by local authorities, the party not only survived but diversified, counting today followers and admirers throughout the country.

Interview – Fernando Faro talks of his career on television and of the important programs he created, mainly in the theatrical and musical scenes. A connoisseur of Brazilian popular music, he conceived the early 1970’s TV show "Ensaio", still being aired today.

Thematic panel – Celso Lafer, a career diplomat, occupied the post of Foreign Minister during the Fernando Henrique Cardoso administration. With wide experience in the field of diplomacy and international relations, Mr. Lafer spoke on Brazil’s effort to co-participate in a globalized world at the Federação do Comércio do Estado de São Paulo’s Council of Economy, Sociology and Politics.