Akron Council on World Affairs > Programs > Speaker Series > Upcoming Events - http://www.akronworldaffairs.org/programs/events/netherlands_potman.html

HOW TO REGISTER

Download the registration form and return with payment. Registrations are due by Friday, September 12, 2008.

ABOUT THIS PROGRAM

ACWA invites diplomats from embassies of countries that are important partners with the U.S., both in trade and politics, and long-term in addressing important global challenges. ACWA originated this program in 2005. View archives of previous participants.

In addition to the formal evening event, diplomats participate in ACWA's award-winning Global Scholars program for high-school students. ACWA also arranges sessions with executives and economists engaged in global trade in Northeast Ohio. The content of all programs is developed specifically for ACWA program attendees.

For more information about participation in any of these programs, e-mail ACWA's Executive Director Jane Walker Snider, at
info@akronworldaffairs.org.

SPEAKER PROFILE

Rubens Gama

Mr. Gama is the Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs and Technology of the Brazilian Embassy in Washington, D.C. He oversees a team of diplomats and staff working in the areas of trade and investment, science and technology, as well as innovation and competitiveness.

Prior to his appointment to the Embassy in Washington, Mr. Gama, a career diplomat, served in Brasilia as Senior Assistant to four consecutive Under Secretaries for Political Affairs. He worked on Western hemisphere political issues, especially on the Rio Group mechanism, the Ibero-american conference, the Mercosul political forum and Latin-American bilateral relations.

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2008 Hilton Akron/Fairlawn

Brazil's Economic Success Brings New Challenges

Minister Rubens Gama, Minister-Counselor for Commercial Affairs and Technology, Brazilian Embassy, Washington, D.C.

Minister Rubens Gama will discuss challenges facing Brazil and other topics during his presentation.

An urgent issue is how best to create effective programs for Brazil's poor. The successes of Brazil's economy have spurred a rapid growth of its middle class, now estimated at some 20 million people. Brazil's low inflation and reduced cost of credit has spurred home ownership and purchasing in the marketplace.

The government is addressing how best to provide its poor access to this prosperity. Minister Gama will describe key government initiatives, including Bolsa Familia. This and other programs focus on providing active tools to leverage social and economic transformation, focusing on education and health.

Brazil's focus on its infrastructure has relevance for Ohio manufacturers exporting products. In 2007, these totaled over $1.3 billion, a 158% increase over 2006. Brazil's ports need rapid expansion, with some 90% of products leaving and entering Brazil through its ports.

Concerns have been raised about biofuels and ethanol here in the U.S., including focus on diversion of corn crops for this purpose. Brazil's success is with sugar cane rather than corn but it, too, is being challenged about the efficacy of biofuels in combating climate change. Critics are also claiming that expansion of planted fields is a threat to the Amazon rain forest as displaced ranchers clear new grazing lands.

Brazil is now a major world player in the oil industry, resulting from two factors. The country has substantially raised the capabilities of its workers, resulting in higher productivity. At the same time, significant new oil reserves have discovered by a government owned company. This has resulted in a debate, now in progress, about whether to use profits from these reserves for education.

Join us in welcoming Minister Gama and becoming better acquainted with Brazil. You will have the opportunity to extend questions and comments to him immediately following his formal presentation.

Hilton Akron/Fairlawn | map
3180 West Market Street - Fairlawn
330-867-5000
(Across from Summit Mall — Ghent Road Exit from I-77)

6:00 p.m. Registration/Cash Bar
6:45 p.m. Dinner
7:30 p.m. Formal Program, followed by Questions & Answers and Discussion

To Register for this Event

Reception - Dinner - Formal Program

Individual Registrations: Members - $35
Non-Members - $45

Formal Program Only

Individual Registrations: Members - $12
Non-Members - $15

To Register for Either

Registrations are due no later than Friday, September 12, 2008.

Download the registration form and return with a check payable to:

ACWA - P.O.Box 5300 - Akron, OH 44334

Join ACWA

Visit the Join section of this Web site for more information and to download the membership form.