Governance in Brasil

Governance in Brasil
The República Federativa do Brasil is considered a federal presidential representative democratic republic and is headed by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (known as Lula) reelected to a second term this past October 29, 2006. He will remain president through the year 2010. The republic is governed by a 1988 (and seventh) constitution and is organized into a federation that includes a union (or national) president and bicameral national congress (federal senate and chamber of deputies), states and municipalities. One of the most famous architectural triumphs in the world is the National Congress Building designed by Oscar Niemeyer and located in the Brasilia, the nation’s capital.



Twenty-six states (26 estates) and one federal district of Brasilia make up the first layer federal units of sub-national jurisdiction. I live in the state of Rio de Janeiro, home to more than 14 million residents that is headed by governor Sergio Cabral Filho and the legislative assembly.






The states are further divided into 5560 municipalities. Municipalities in Brasil are autonomous, independent federal units that have their own legislative councils and mayors. I live in the municipality of Campos dos Goytacazes, the 44th largest city in Brasil and located in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Campos has 430,000 residents and is part of the Northern Fluminense region. The governance of Campos, prefeitura municipal, includes a city hall that houses the chief executive, the mayor and the city council. The name Campos dos Goytacazes refers to the “Fields of the Goytazazes Indians.” This photo is of the main cathedral in Sao Salvado Square in the center of Campos.

Brasil Basics
Brasil is the sixth (6th) largest country in the world (measured in land mass) just slightly smaller than the United States. Brasil is home for 188 million, which ranks fifth (5th) in the world, the US ranks third with 298 million. Brasil ranks fifteen (15th) in the world in governental expenditures with $172 billion, the US ranks first spending 14 times that amount. Brasil ranks 80th in the world in per capita GDP with $8,400, the US ranks fifth with $42,00 per capita. While the US consumes 20 million barrels of oil a day Brasil consumes 1.6 million barrels and is nearly self-sufficient. The US imports over half of its oil needs.

Carnaval

Canaval
Carnaval is an event like no other and is a celebration that is carried out in all locations throughout the country. The competitions are held in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Palo and receive much of the media attention. In addition, the streets are filled with folks celebrating in various ways.


Praia Seca
At Praia Seca, a local celebration of Carnaval reveals the sprit of this event. I was able to join with a family to celebrate this event becasue of the kind invitation of a faculty member at UENF and her extended family.

The Coast of Rio de Janeiro

Pontal do Ata Laia en Arraial do Cabo
The eastern coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro is blessed with an outstanding coast line. Pontal do Alta Laia is one of the finest visal points in the region, perhaps the world. Each of these shores have unique features, with this one, the far coast line is actually an island, reachable by small boat. The location of this beach is down a long path traversed only by foot. Once there, you are visually rewarded with beautiflul coast views and cool breezes. Check out Arraial do Cabo on google earth.

Colleagues

Colleague
I want to introduce to you Professor Marcos Pedlowski, Associate Professor of Geography at UENF. He has been instrumental in making my transition to Campos easy and enjoyable. He studies the social production of public space which covers a number of disciplines instructing our understanding of social life. You will hear more about Marcos in the days ahead.

Student Scholar
I also want to introduce Manuela Cordeiro, a student research assistant with Professor Pedlowski. She is studying the implementation of land reform in an area very close to Campos.

Settlements
Manuela conducts interviews at government designated settlements where new owners are asked how well they are maintaining their farms. The settlements were derived form previous surgar cane plantations. The land reform began in this area in 1997 and was initiated by landless rural workers movement. This photo is of some settlers interviewed for this research study.

An Interview

My interview is posted on the school website. Good luck reading the Portuguese!


Uenf recebe pesquisador da Universidade de La Verne



Jack Meek manterá cooperação com programas de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais e em Políticas Sociais

O professor Jack Meek, da Universidade de La Verne, na Califórnia, atuará como professor visitante da Uenf até junho deste ano, com bolsa da Capes (Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior, vinculada ao MEC). Professor de Administração Pública na universidade americana, Jack Meek vem a Campos numa cooperação com o Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais, do Centro de Biociências e Biotecnologia (CBB), e vai colaborar como Programa de Pós-Graduação em Políticas Sociais, do Centro de Ciências do Homem (CCH).

Jack Meek vai ministrar a disciplina “Tópicos Especiais em Ecologia e Recursos Naturais: Planejamento Público Participativo”, no âmbito do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia em Recursos Naturais. Segundo a coordenadora do Programa, professora Dora Vilella, a disciplina poderá admitir alunos especiais de pós-graduação as inscrições para a seleção nos diversos programas da Uenf serão efetuadas em 12 e 13/02. O pesquisador também deverá ministrar um workshop sobre “Gerenciamento coletivo” (Administração compartilhada) voltado para gestores públicos e outros interessados.

Um dos focos da atenção do professor Jack Meek em Campos será a discussão sobre a gestão dos recursos dos royalties do petróleo. Para isso, o professor deverá manter contatos com colegas do Programa de Pós-Graduação em Planejamento Regional e Gestão de Cidades da Universidade Candido Mendes. Meek também planeja trocar experiências com alunos de graduação e pós-graduação do professor Marcos Antônio Pedlowski, do Laboratório de Estudos do Espaço Antrópico.

Para o pesquisador americano, a discussão sobre a aplicação dos royalties abre caminho para um debate mais abrangente sobre a melhoria da qualidade de vida da população como um todo, numa visão ampliada do conceito de cidadania.

Life in Campos

Bom Dia!

Term doesn't start until March, so I have time to continue writing, practice the language and get situated here.

Last evening I worked on an editing nine essays for comments and writing an introduction for a book to be published on BIDs(Business Improvement Districts). The article I wrote was published, but we have collected 30 others to make a book we think provides a starting mark for assessment of newly emerging arrangements in metropolitan areas.

This morning I picked up my bike and rode to school on a bike trail between the main avenues. It is a short ride but I was nice to get some exercise. The bike is what it is worth, heavy, the grears are poor, the seat is just a bit low, but I now have transportation!

My language teacher is off to do interviews, so I get a break until Friday. I can now say my room number, and the first layer of good morning, how are you,I am fine,and you. I am in the middle of conjugating verbs in present, past and future, and in first and second and third person singular and plural. The next step is memorizing vocabulary whcih is a life long journey.