CI.07 - Brazil is back to the game, but with big challenges ahead

2023 kicked off with Brazil's return as a relevant player in the international arena. The inauguration of President Lula was marked by symbolic messages to show changes in the conduction of the country's policies, with special attention given to minorities and populations neglected by Bolsonaro's government. Having escaped?to the United States for open-ended vacations, Jair Bolsonaro refused to give the presidential sash to President-elected Lula, who had it handed over directly by citizens representing the diversity of the country. Among them was the chief Raoni Metuktire, 90 years old, leader of the Kayapó people; the boy Francisco Carlos do Nascimento e Silva; the teacher Murilo de Quadros Jesus; the vigilant Jucimara Fausto dos Santos; the inclusion influencer Ivan Vitor Dantas Pereira; the metalworker Weslley Viesba Rodrigues Rocha; and the waste picker Aline Sousa (Agência Brasil). ?

The first lady Janja (first on the left), also sent her message using a pantsuit made with natural fibers and dyeing and decorated by traditional woman artisans (Portal da Floresta). In his inauguration speech, Lula made strong criticism of his predecessor, promised change, and to govern for all Brazilians. The difficulties of governing with a coalition team had already appeared, with allies criticizing that many Ministries were given to the Workers Party (PT), and important supporters, such as Marina Silva and Simone Tebet, being confirmed as Ministers only after intense negotiations. However, the main challenge to the new government would appear on January 8th (Sunday), with an invasion to official buildings undertaken by Bolsonaro supporters.

Several criminals responsible for this terrorist event have been arrested, but their awful acts reiterate the challenges that Lula will have as President of a divided country. On the other side, this extremist acts have isolated Bolsonaro's more aggressive partisans, with opposition leaders reiterating their support to democracy and Brazilian institutions. Not surprisingly, the worst group from Brazilian agrobusiness, including large cattle owners, are among those who have financed the attacks. While Brasilia is still recuperating from those attacks, the first international act of the new government was to send the Ministers Fernando Haddad (Finance) and Marina Silva (Environment and Climate Change) to the World Economic Forum meetings in Davos. This is a strong message that environment and development should go together, and that rebuilding the country in sustainable foundations is the best option we have to attract financial investments and build long-lasting prosperity.

For this reason, I will explore on the next newsletter how just transition is the best intersection between climate change and the potential of this new Brazilian government.

The Righteous Mind Summary - Jonathan Haidt

The book elucidates how episodes such as the attacks in Brasilia can happen, as the author says, "Religion (and politics) binds and blinds". An interesting book for everyone who wants to work with politics and policy, as it presents tools from the most up-to-date psychology research on how our moral reasoning evolves, what makes us liberal or conservatives, and what can we learn from the other side. And, more importantly, how can we disagree more constructively? In a compelling work, Haidt convinces us that "intuitions comes first, strategic reasoning second". He also advocates that "there's more to morality than harm and fairness", the leading ingredients for the moral matrix of WEIRD (WEIRD = Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich and Democratic) societies. Finally, we are products of multilevel (individual and group) selection; as Durkheim would say, we are "Homo duplex": selfish and groupish. Or as put by Haidt, "we are 90% chimp and 10% bee". We have a hive switch, which can be turned on in a myriad of ways, from church rituals to more secular raves. In addition to the book, you can access the author's website YourMorals.org and check a series of tests to learn about your own morality, and how it compares to other people from your age, country and different demographic data!

OPPORTUNITIES:

• [22 January] Apply here to a series of open positions at Planetiers .
• [22 January - 1:30pm CET] Systems Innovation applied to Challenge-led Learning. Watch here Climate-KIC 's event at the 2023 Learning Planet Festival.
• [22 January] C40 is hiring a Manager, Food & Waste and Energy & Buildings. Candidates should be based in Colombia, Kenya or South Africa: Apply here!
• [24 January - 10am CET] Cross-sector collaboration through Hubs4Circularity: the key to a fully circular Europe: Register here!
• [24 January] ?? Calling all innovators 24 and under with a passion for solving problems. Solve - MIT’s Solv[ED] Youth Innovation Challenge is live and searching for the solutions that will shape the future. Submit your solution here!
• [10 February] Bolsas Curso YCL (in Portuguese): Apply here!

2023 New European Bauhaus Booster Call

Apply now! (Terms and Conditions)

Launched by the European Commission, the?New European Bauhaus?translates the European Green Deal into a tangible, positive experience in which all Europeans can participate and progress together.

To help foster the New European Bauhaus transformation, the EIT Community members including EIT Digital, EIT Climate-KIC, EIT Food, EIT Manufacturing and EIT Urban Mobility are offering support to the most innovative ventures that are driving sustainable change for cities, industries, climate, food, wellbeing and overall quality of life. It will focus on sustainability, aesthetics and inclusion categories.

The 20 best companies will receive support services worth a total of 1 million Euro.?Ventures accepted into the programme will benefit from a 10,000 EUR grant and 40,000 EUR worth of active support

Related courses:

Building Belonging in a Globalised and Mobile World - FutureLearn

Fostering Inclusive Citizen Engagement in Urban Development - FutureLearn