Since 2003 over 31 million Brazilians have been lifted out poverty, a direct result of economic growth and increased government spending on social welfare programs. Bolsa Familia, a central pillar of the Brazilian government’s social welfare strategy, gives cash transfers to the poor and allows millions of citizens to obtain better opportunities and have better lives.

Join Young Professionals in Foreign Policy (YPFP) and the Institute for Policy Studies (IPS) for an exciting opportunity to hear from Mark Weisbrot, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, who will speak on Brazil’s current economic situation and the government’s social agenda.

Also speaking will be Gustavo Vidigal, a social cientist from University of São Paulo(USP) and holds a master’s degree in Sociology in the same institution. He was Deputy Executive Secretary in the Ministry of Culture between 2008 until 2010, during Juca Ferreira’s administration. Currently he works as Chief of Staff of the Department of International and Federative Affairs in the São Paulo City Hall. In the municipality, he also coordinate the Open Government Committee (CIGA-SP), called “Open São Paulo”, the first municipal open government initiative recognized in Brazil.

For more information contact Jarmila Zapata · jarmila.zapata@ypfp.org.