Sharing Research

On March 26, I had the honor to share my research on public participation with 35 students and faculty at the Biological Science and Biotechnology Center at UENF. The seminar also had professors from the Center for Human Sciences at UENF as well as professors from a local private university (UCAM) where collaborative research is being considered. Professor Dora Villela is the Coordinator of the program in Ecology and Natural Resources and I was introduced by Professor Silvia Nascimento. Manuela Cordeiro translated my paper and provided translation at the seminar. She is pictured with me in this photo.

Some Brasilian Art

This canvas, one of my favorites, is in the hallway opening of the main conference hall at the Civic Center. Sessions on the future strategic plan of Campos was reviewed in the hall.



The Campos Civic Center presents these historic figures in a literature session.






Local art is some of the most impressive, as this one on the west side of Campos.






Brasil is about color and is celebrated everywhere. In this photo, have fun with the side mirror reflection.




Some of the finest art in the world is natural. This scene is from my Campos Flat window, looking west toward the mountains.

Colleagues and Friends

Colleagues and friends have been wonderful in Campos. Here Marcos (my host) is with Arthur (son of department colleague Paula) at a recent "festa" hosted by Cristina and Marcos.

Faculty from UENF (Teresa Faria on right), Jack, Luiz Pineda (from UCAM), Rodrigo Serra (from UCAM and far left) meet with the consultant from the Brasilian Institute of Municipal Administration after a Campos workshop.

Professor Teresa Faria is the laboratory director who has coordinated my visits with local administration events in Campos and is a specialist on urban planning.

Professor Luiz Pinedo is a specialist in urban management from San Paulo and is currently at UCAM (a nearby private university in Campos). This lecture covered the impact of some recent urban legislation.

My Ride

MY RIDE every day is almost 3 miles from the Flat to Campus. It is not a direct route, as downtown is between my flat and the University, so the easier path is circumventing the centro city.


The RUSH our traffic from downtown is a mix of walkers, bicycles, motor bikes, cars, vw vans, pick-ups, busses, and trucks. On my ride south to get the bike path, there are three bus passenger pick-ups to keep an eye upon.


TRAFFIC MIX is my favorite part of the bike journey. On the bike path, there are variations to the theme. In this case, horse drawn wagons are common, carrying needed sand, bricks and rocks to locals for building.

Vida em Campos

After breakfast on the 14th floor, this view of the east of Campos. The Rio de Paraiba do Sul winds its way some 15 miles to the ocean.


Fom the top floor of my flat, the morning sun has made the view of homes in Campos quite rich with color and shape.


Graussi Praia (beach) is located near where the Rio de Pariba do Sul enters through a delta. The praia is closely located to Campos and is a nice get-a-way for the day. The kiosks are well located next to the ocean and serve light dishes and refreshments, including cerveja.


My main tools are my bike and computer. With my bike I save the earch about 10 pounds of CO2 per day, a practice I hope to continue at Claremont. While Jim Jones and I do the trails in the hills of Claremont and La Verne, I need to extend my riding more often to work as well.


My flat is on the 8th floor. I take the bike in the service elevators, and head for UENF each day. My staple is futbol.

Discussions

While in San Paulo on Thursday, several folks noted their dismay with President Bush with demnstrations. Agreements were reached on alcohol production as a bio-fuel, but challenges to US foreign policy and the lack of commitment to human and economic rights were expressed by citizens. The news is flush with comments regarding the "rumble on the river," where Venezuela President Hugo Chavez is speaking in Buenos Aires and noting the lack of attention the US has given South Americans while President Bush is across the river in Montevideo, Uruguay outlining US aid and development policy.

The Bridge

Campos is building a new bridge across the Rio Paraiba Do Sul. This is the picture of the bridge under construction. To get to north Campos or to the northern state of Espirito Santo, one must cross the river. Currently there is only one bridge to to do so. The bridge was started around 2005 under a previous governor. The bridge construction across this river is quite a challenge, as four workers have lost their lives.

At the Campos Commission on Environment and Urbanization meeting on March 7, discussions were held on whether or not a new and additional bridge should be built in Campos. The commission on environment and urbanization is made up of 27 members, 13 governmental representatives, 13 non-governmental representatives (public representatives, such as UENF) and the director of planning. After deliberation over various concerns and issues, the commission decided not to build a new bridge, as other priorities are in need of attention in Campos.

Public Participation

In Brasil, municipalities have opted to be governed by participatory guidelines that establish citizen input to planning decisions. Campos dos Goytacazes is no exception. Because of the invite of UENF Professor Faria, I was able to attend the city strategic planning discussion on Friday, March 2, 2007 and continuing planning session on March 9, 2007. Discussions at these sessions covered building permits and building guidelines along with various proposals. The sessions are open to the public for dialogue and are held at the Prefeitora offices centrally located in the city.

Diplomacy

On March 7, 2007, President Bush arrives in Brasil with a visit the president of Brasil, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The two are expected to sign a letter memorandum of understanding for a program t promote the production and use of ethanol. Brasil is a major leader and producer of ethanol, a renewable fule, with its abundance of sugar cane. Many of the cars in Brasil are "flex" cars that can use gasoline, or enhanol or even natural gas. Brasil is ahead of the United States with the ability for consumers to choose among these alternatives. There may also be discussions with regard to workers rights guarantees in trade accords as well. President Bush will also visit Uruguay (with President Vazquez), Columbia nd Guatemala. Many see his visit as an attempt to counter the gathering regional influence of Venezula President Hugo Chavez who has been critial of US policy. President Lula (his photo is provided here) plans on visiting President Bush nex week at Camp David as a follow up to this weeks activites.

Social Change

The largest grassroots social movement in Brasialian history--O Movemento Dos Trabalhadores Rurais Sem Terra (the Movement of Rural Landless Workers, or the MST) marched in the streets of Brasilia on April 17, 1997. One of the many outcomes of the movement, which has its orgins in 1984, was agricultural restructuring. Indeed, the "settlements" just outside of the city of Campos are an example of this restructuring. Under the guidance of Professor Pedlowski, students at UENF are researching how the settlements are functioning. On one of the visits I accompanied Manuela Cordeiro where we met this farmer, who offered us both some coconut water. Here he uses his knife with great skill to cut away the top to expose an opening so we can drink the water. In almost every case, farmers were willing to share their crops with us. The settlements produce pineaple, coconuts, limes, sugar cane and other produce, and famers often have chickens, hogs, horses, dogs, cats and the like. Each settlement is 10 hectors (24 acres).