Brazilian Student Association Symposium

Did you know that that first time the seat of an empire was transferred to a colony happened in 1808? It was from Portugal to Rio de Janeiro, under the duress of the Napoloenic wars in Europe. And when Brazil gained its independence in 1822, the first country to recognize it was the very young United States of America and the two countries have been closely linked ever since.

This and more I learned at the inaugural Brazilian Student Association Symposium - Collaboration  & Academic Production: Stimulating Research and Partnership between UGA and Brazil, on Friday, April 5. Brazil has solid support on our campus and we have many, very talented Brazilian students at every level. The day-long event featured student panels focussed on substantive issues and research across campus, faculty that have long-supported the Portuguese language program on campus, and a terrific keynote speech by the Consul General of Brazil in Atlanta, Ambassador Hermano Telles Ribiero.

Ambassador Telles Ribiero offered a quick but informative rundown of Brazil's growing role as a leader among the family of nations. Its quickly growing economy and strong links with other regions and countries in the world make it one of our most important partners in terms of trade, energy, technology and tourism, as well as a host of issues that focus decentralized cooperation between Brazilian and U.S. cities.

Find out more about the Brazilian Student Association here. My thanks to BSA President Fernanda Guida for the very kind invitation. Congratulations on a great symposoium. Muito bem feito.