Brussels, 01/04/2011 (Agence Europe) - Launching a dialogue with Brazil on higher education and culture policies will be the main focus of an official visit to Brazil from 3 to 9 April by European Education and Culture Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou. During her visit, the commissioner will meet Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota, Minister of Education Fernando Haddad and Minister of Culture Ana Buarque de Hollanda. The discussions will also feed into the next EU-Brazil summit, due to take place in Brussels in October.
In higher education, the Commission wants to make it easier for students and academics to move between the EU and Brazil for study and work, and to encourage cooperation between universities. This is seen as crucial for driving quality and fostering excellence in a competitive international environment. Since 2004, more than 1,700 Brazilian students and scholars have had the opportunity to study and work in Europe through the Commission's Erasmus Mundus programme. In addition, more than 40 Brazilian research institutions and 32 individual researchers have also received financial backing totalling €1.6 million through the Commission's Marie Curie Actions, which support international exchanges for researchers.
On culture, the new policy dialogue will aim to boost the development of stronger cultural and economic ties, as well as the preservation of cultural heritage. Vassiliou will meet representatives of the European Union National Institutes of Culture (EUNIC) in Brasilia. Then, while in Rio on 6-7 April, she will visit the National Arts Foundation (FUNARTE) and National Cinema Agency (ANCINE). The latter could benefit from support through the Commission's MEDIA Mundus programme which aims to encourage international cooperation in the cinema industry.
On 8 April, the final day of her visit, the commissioner will see the historical centre of Salvador, which has received €200,000 for restoration work from the EU Culture programme, and an EU funded social project in the field of education and culture.
The visit will also highlight EU-backed youth and sport projects, with an educational and social dimension. In Rio, for instance, the commissioner will visit the “Citizenship for Sports” scheme run by the Real Madrid Foundation. This provides sports and education opportunities aimed at instilling positive values in teenage boys and girls from under-privileged backgrounds. (O.L./transl.rt)