Brazil
History
The Brazil office of the Ford Foundation is in Rio de Janeiro. Since 1962, we have encouraged open debate and action on the key issues facing the country: strengthening democratic values, international cooperation, and eradicating poverty and injustice.
Support for Key National Resources
In the early years, when Brazil was still under a dictatorship, we pursued these through grants for research and training in areas such as education, development, health and the social sciences. The foundation played an active role in establishing and supporting several research institutions that have become pivotal national and international resources and centers of intellectual resistance.
Rise of Democracy Shifts Priorities
As Brazil has changed, so have our strategies and grant making. When democratization took hold in the late 1980s, our priorities shifted toward democratic governance and political participation, women's rights, anti-discrimination efforts, public security issues, reproductive health and the new social-environment challenges.
Over the past 10 years, the consolidation of democracy has guided the foundation's priorities. But in order for Brazil to reach its full potential, electoral democracy is not enough. Brazil’s greatest challenge is to overcome deep inequalities perpetuated by key institutions and systems, as well as the full implementation of rights and principles set forth in Brazil's 1988 Constitution.
Today, our work in Brazil focuses on four areas where lingering cultural, political and economic inequalities need to be addressed: human rights, racial justice, land rights and natural resources and media rights.
Share, Find, Follow