Integration Brazil Europe
At the end of the 90’s, I heard António Guterres, Prime Minister of the government of (which he had the honor of honor to), answer the question about integrating Portugal abroad in matters of international policy and many Portuguese companies: Brazil, Brazil.
This perspective varied in the governments that followed, forming a consistent and not lasting state policy. Large Portuguese companies in the communications, energy, construction, tourism and other sectors set up shop in Brazil. In the opposite direction, some Brazilian companies invested in Portugal, mainly in the commerce sector. this cross-business success is the result of both good results and successful success. On the other hand, trade relations between the countries have not evolved significantly, in other conjunctural circumstances such as the one we are currently experiencing, as a side of the Ukraine war.
The question that arises is whether these are the fundamental foundations of the quality of relations between two countries. Does the policy matter exclusively to know if Portugal is defined by the State, sells more or less machines to Brazil, for example? In most cases, in fact, success is measured by political and economic relations between governments – as in the case of the US, China or India. In my opinion, Brazil escapes this rule.
Relations between Brazilians and Portuguese are a rare case of civil society “politics” independent of State policy. It is the automatic form in automatic mode, it is structured for direct relations between societies, citizens, citizens and companies, whatever, as politics, momentary and companies, whatever, as politics, moment and company. The “politics” that stems from the common language, football, soap operas, the music and culture community, exchanges of professors, researchers and students and, a growing phenomenon, Brazilian women who increasingly choose Portugal to live, and Portuguese women I live in Brazil. This stems from the shared history, which often coincided, even when it was not noticed. In terms of the aforementioned business investment and external commercial relations, there is still much to be done. This does not mean that the relationship between Portuguese and Brazilian civil societies is increasingly stronger.
The Brazil-Europe Integration Forum (FIBE), a cultural association created in October 2021, is a product of this growth. In Portugal, the Brazilian community is growing and is no longer just made up of workers who come looking for the best life. It is made up of figures from the arts and culture, teaching and research, the financial sector or, simply, pensioners, who choose Portugal for what it offers in terms of hospitality, comfort and safety, but also because it is a good bridge to Europe. Many – and many in Brazil and Europe – think that more needs to be done to project the thriving Brazilian civil society on the European continent.
It’s a coincidence that FIBE is already picking up speed, with some great achievements to its credit, precisely in the year in which Brazil’s 200 Years of Independence are celebrated. It is, however, a happy coincidence, because no other theme could better match what FIBE represents. Like all historical events of rupture and transformation, independence generates contradictory feelings and interpretations. The one in Brazil does not escape this fate. However, there is one thing that is different about it: the circumstance of being marked and calmly celebrated by ex-colonizer and colonized, in some events in sets of great political and institutional importance. Brazilians and Portuguese share pride in what Brazil was, is and will be.
Relations between Brazilians and Portuguese constitute a rare case of “politics” of civil society independent of the State. It is a “policy” in automatic mode, which is structured by the direct relations between as civilians, citizens and, whatever, as momentary enterprises of the States.
The motto of the program that FIBE promotes from the 4th to the 9th of September, in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra and Cascais, Independence with Integration, expresses just that: one looks at the, takes stock of what exists and projects the future. In the case of Brazil, the past had its ups and downs, from various points of view; the present closed crucial challenges – such as the preservation of the Amazon where, as we have seen in recent days, the burned area is the largest in the last twelve days; but the future will be likely.
There is something unavoidable: Brazil is the main power in the southern hemisphere, it has insurmountable resources, it is at the forefront of technology in many sectors and undeniably adheres to the values of promoting the development of the human person and freedom that are the best path to a happy and of progress, as it is inscribed on its flag.
FIBE will fulfill its modest role: creating pretexts for sectors of Brazilian civil society, in Portugal, Brazil or elsewhere, to project the image of the positive and optimistic country that it is. Independent, but integrated in a global theater.
President of the Brazil-Europe Integration Forum