The promotion of a partnership between the State and society in Brazil is simultaneous to other processes of change having a deep innovating sense. As they strengthen each other, these processes improve the performance and potentiate the reach of public policies, both governmental and non-governmental, geared to the struggle against poverty and social exclusion.

Doubtless, the non-state public spaces have multiplied and diversified. Organisations and networks within civil society have gained momentum. The State has decentralised. New channels for the participation of citizens have been put in place. The commitment towards the path of social development became irrevocable.

As all societies exposed to the risks and opportunities brought about by globalisation, Brazilian society is not immune to the feelings of uncertainty and insecurity inherent to the vertiginous changes the world order currently undergoes.

Transformations that occurred during the last five years, however, both in the State and in society, cause Brazil to be now much better equipped to face the national challenge of development with equity and sustainability.

Five years after the Summit for Social Development, the Federal Government understands that, although it has achieved important conquests, Brazil still has a long way to go, in this process of construction of a fairer and less unequal society. It reiterates, therefore, the pledge to maintain in the national agenda for coming years the ten commitments undertaken in Copenhagen, in 1995. So much so, that it has listed, along this paper, not only the commitments fulfilled, but also the goals and targets yet to be achieved.

Much has been done, but it is necessary to do more.

This is the enunciate that pervades the whole paper now presented, which accurately translates the essential sense, the new starting point and the horizon of commitments undertaken with the future.