The Potential for Brazil's Growing Regional and Global Diplomatic Outreach

According to Brazilian Minister of External Relations Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Brazil is at a unique period in the evolution of the South American nation’s foreign policy. “For the first time in Brazil’s history,” he said, “Brazil can engage not only in relations, but in global outreach.”

Speaking on Monday, February 13^th, 2013 at the Harvard Kennedy School to a capacity audience of students, faculty, and members of the public, Minister Patriota endeavored to outline what Brazil’s growing economic clout will mean for his country’s role on the international stage in the 21^st century. He emphasized that, “first and foremost,” Brazil’s priority will remain increasing, “in depth and intensity,” its drive “for regional integration.” Such outreach, he added, will be premised on a shared vision of peaceful growth in social and economic spheres.

However, Minister Patriota also maintained that “Brazil’s outreach goes further.” As Brazil’s economy has grown to become the sixth largest in the world, he said that Brazil “needs to interact with established powers…in ways that help the problems that Brazil confronts [domestically],” like promoting research and investment in science and technology. Minister Patriota pointed to what he described as “the level of maturity that [the US-Brazil] relation has attained in recent years” as hopeful of more such growth to come for Brazil’s relations worldwide.

To watch the full event, including a Q&A with students, faculty, and members of the public, please check out the video below.