Brazil
In the Headlines
4 May 2012In Brazil, a Historic Ruling for Diversity in Education
Thanks in part to the steadfast efforts of grantees in our Advancing Racial Justice and Minority Rights initiative, Brazil’s Supreme Court has unanimously upheld the constitutionality of affirmative action in the country’s higher education system. The Ford Foundation has long supported many of the institutions and organizations working to advance and protect affirmative action in Brazil.
More Information
- Read a related article in Portuguese
- Learn more about the foundation’s work in Brazil
- Explore our Advancing Racial Justice and Minority Rights initiative
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Brazilian Supreme Court Approves Racial Quotas in University
April 29, 2012Brazil’s Supreme Federal Tribunal unanimously approved the continued use of racial quotas in the University of Brasilia in a 10-0 vote Thursday. The decision reaffirmed a policy adopted by a number of Brazilian universities to institute the practice of affirmative action in university admissions as a tool to combat racial inequality and improve access to higher education for Brazilians who identify as negro (black) or pardo (brown).
Racial quotas were first instituted in the University of Brasilia in 2004, permitting university candidates who self-identified as black to gain greater access to the university. The policy was challenged in 2009 by Brazil’s Democratas Party (DEM), which brought the case before the high court.