Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies Public Programming
The Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies (LCBS) offers a program of seminars on contemporary and historical topics related to Brazil, including its culture, economy, and politics. Its core programming features the weekly Brazil Research Seminar and a bi-monthly seminar on Brazil’s Political, Social, and Economic Development.
As a hub for intellectual exchange, the LCBS regularly hosts lectures and conferences with Brazilian academics, government officials, business leaders, political actors, and members of civil society. Since its inauguration, the Center has welcomed leading Brazilian scholars and prominent political figures, such as former Presidents Fernando Henrique Cardoso and Dilma Rousseff, Minister Marina Silva, Minister Fernando Haddad, Minister Margareth Menezes and Minister Anielle Franco. Distinguished guests have also included economist Edmar Bacha, former Central Bank Presidents Arminio Fraga and Henrique Meirelles, and Ambassadors Antonio Patriota and Alfredo Graça Lima.
Each year, the Center organizes or co-sponsors more than forty events, offering diverse perspectives and engaging discussions that highlight the complexities and opportunities of Brazil.
In the 2019-2020 academic year, the LCBS sponsored or co-sponsored 47 events, including two conferences. We hosted the 2019 Lemann Dialogues Conference: Bridging Scholarship and Action (November 14-15, 2019), in collaboration with Teachers College, SIPA, Harvard University, the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign, and Stanford University. The conference keynote was distinguished author, journalist, and public health expert Dr. Drauzio Varella. Other notable speakers included Ilona Szabo (Igarapé Institute), Joana Monteiro (Rio de Janeiro's Prosecutor Office), Marcia Castro (Harvard University), Eduardo Leite (Governor of Rio Grande do Sul), Katia Schweickardt (Secretary of Education, Municipality of Manaus), and Lilia Moritz Schwarcz (USP). The LCBS also hosted a Conference on Conservatism and Authoritarianism in Brazil, in collaboration with the Institute of Philosophy and Human Sciences of UNICAMP).
In addition to conferences organized, the Center hosted numerous prominent intellectuals, public figures, activists, and artists through seminars, roundtable discussions, and other events. Among our notable visitors to campus this academic year were Sônia Guajajara (leader of the Articulation of the Indigenous Peoples of Brazil, APIB), Marina Silva (former Senator and former Minister of the Environment), Célia Xakriabá (Indigenous activist), Marcio Fortes (former Senator and former President of the Brazilian National Development Bank), Senator Jacques Wagner, Raul Jungmann (former Brazilian Minister of Public Security, former Minister of Defense, and former Congressman), Marcelo Neri (Economist and Director of FGV Social), Andre d’Almeida Monteiro (Chief Risk Officer, Brazil Stock Exchange), Pedro Olinto (Lead Economist, World Bank), and Ronaldo Lemos [co-founder and director of the Institute for Technology & Society (ITS)]. Artists hosted on campus this past academic year included renowned musician Caetano Veloso, director and actor Wagner Moura, and Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Petra Costa.