Copenhagen + 5

During the last few years, the importance for Brazil of the co-operation among developing countries has been growing. This co-operation is implemented through the Brazilian Co-operation Agency - ABC, the body in charge of co-ordinating international technical co-operation projects carried out by Brazilian institutions. This line of action derives, on the one hand, of the Brazilian technical-co-operation policy, inspired by the Ministry of External Relations; on the other, from the very demand by less developed countries and international organisations, so that Brazil makes available its successful experiences in several sectors.

The main axes of this policy are geared to the strengthening of co-operation with Latin-American and Caribbean, with the Portuguese speaking African countries –PALOPs and with Timor Loro Sae.

Among Brazil’s co-operation priorities highlight the Programmes of Agreement-Students, by means of which vacancies are offered in Brazilian universities, for graduation, post-graduation and technical courses, to students of those regions. To the most economically deprived, the Brazilian government grants scholarships. Thanks to these programmes, currently circa three thousand African, Latin American and Caribbean students follow courses in Brazil, free of charge.

The co-operation with Latin American and Caribbean countries

Brazil maintains co-operation projects with all countries in South and Central America, with Mexico and with several Caribbean nations. Among such programmes it is worth highlighting the strengthening of programmes of AIDS control that Brazil maintains with several countries, because it has an exemplary action in this domain.

Brazil also is one of the main partners of the Programme for Support to the Economic Recovery of Cuba, in particular in human-resource training projects, in the modernisation of labour relations and of the social-security system and in AIDS-related projects. With Peru, in addition to assistance to the AIDS Programme, Brazil co-operates in the area of environmental recovery. In Nicaragua, Brazil works in projects aimed at the production and utilisation of coal and at the development of improved seeds.

In Bolivia, Brazil maintains a technology-transfer project in the domains of vegetable-garden plantation, fruit culture and major crops. In Colombia, Brazil develops broad co-operation in the project of administration, management and preservation of the land and water fauna and in the sectors of health, education, fisheries, transports and mines and energy.

Education is also the target of Brazil’s co-operation with Panama, by means of the programme for the improvement of scientific, humanistic and technological learning in secondary schools, and with Ecuador, where Brazil participates of the master’s degree programme in sustainable agricultural production, in the domains of fruit culture, vegetable garden and flower plantation. In Guatemala, Brazilian technicians co-operate in projects relating to the development of fruit culture and agribusiness.

In Paraguay, Brazil is putting together a centre for professional training and technological education. In the Dominican Republic, Brazil lends assistance in the domains of social and financial management for projects aimed at the recovery of dwelling places in popular neighbourhoods and in hygiene, health and work-safety projects.

The co-operation with African countries

In its co-operation with African countries, Brazil has given priority to the domains of education and public health, particularly AIDS control programmes, the major affliction in the continent. Early this year, Brazil entered into a partnership with Japan in a joint-action programme in co-operation actions in Portuguese speaking African countries.

The Brazilian training programme for the agricultural sector is still being prepared. By means of this programme, Brazilian technicians will train professionals of the agricultural and animal husbandry research institutions of Angola, Cape Verde and Mozambique.

In 1999, the Brazil-Angola Centre for Professional Education was opened in Luanda, a project developed by the Brazilian government in partnership with entrepreneurs, and aimed at training 1.500 Angolan technicians a year, in the domains of mechanics, civil construction, electricity and garment industry. The Centre also offers courses in the industrial, IT, machines and engines, bakery and confectionery sectors. This is the largest and most important Brazilian co-operation project abroad, with investments of over U$ 1.8 million.

As per a Brazilian initiative, the Community of Portuguese Speaking Countries - CPLP has approved the establishment of two regional centres of excellence in African Portuguese speaking nations. According to the project of the Brazilian Co-operation Agency, these will be higher-learning centres for training human resources in he areas of public administration and business development.

The participation in the effort for the reconstruction of Timor Loro Sae

As it opens its first diplomatic representation in Timor, in May 2000, Brazil is aimed at speeding up the agreements for co-operation the areas of education, health and agriculture. Brazil is committed to assist the country in its reconstruction, particularly in the social domain and in terms of the exchange of qualified professionals.

The already discussed co-operation agreements are geared to literacy projects in Portuguese, meant for children and adults, following the model of Solidarity Literacy, put in place in Brazil by Programme Solidarity Community. A Centre for Business Development, Professional Education and Social Promotion will also be established, where profession-oriented courses will be offered in the domains of civil construction, electricity, industrial sewing, carpentry and cabinet-making, such as the ones Brazil already maintains in Angola. Another agreement provides for offering supplementary courses for elementary and secondary education students.

Brazilian professional are already co-ordinating, in Timor, various work fronts, which are working at such different domains as the drafting of a Civil Code and of a Constitution for the reconstruction of the country and the restructuring of the communication and agriculture industries. A detachment of the Brazilian Army and Brazilian Military Police officers also lend their assistance to ensure internal security. Shortly after the end of the conflicts, Brazilian bodies organised national campaigns for the donation of foodstuff, clothing and drugs for Timor. Brazilian intellectuals, artists, religious leaders and politicians were involved in mobilisations and communication strategies in favour of the end of the war.