#3/2021 FORUM

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#3/2021FormerAmbassadorspeaksonBrazil-US-ChinaRelationsByMadeleineBlankenstein,Let’sConnectCommitteeMemberOn September 29, we had thehonor of welcoming Mr.Rubens Barbosa to our Let’sConnect event to discussBrazil, US and ChinaRelations.Mr. Barbosa is a Former BrazilianAmbassador to the US & London. AsModerator,Mr.MauricioPrazac,PresidentofInstituto Brasileiro de Relações EmpresariaisInternacionais (IBREI) introduced theorganization, which helps to strengthenbusiness connections between Brazil andother countries. In addition, Mr. LandonLoomis, VP Latin America, Caribbean &Global Policy at Boeing, moderated thepresentation. Members of AmSoc’s Let’sConnectCommittee:LucyNunes,MadeleineBlankenstein,MalcolmMacdonaldandSeanHutchinson, assisted with the organizationoftheevent.Let’sConnectMr. Barbosa talked with the group in a veryopenmannerandmanagedtoanswermostof the questions from an engaged audience.One of the highlights of the eveningwas when we split up into breakout rooms,when everyone had a chance to meetvirtually in small groups, and some participantsmanaged to ask Mr. Barbosaquestionsonetoone.The Former Ambassador reconfirmed whatweareallawareof:thattherelationshipbetweenthe USA and Brazil is extremelyimportant, however we are facing a challengingsituationworldwide.The withdrawal of the US from Afghanistanhashadafullimpactongeopolitics.Globalization is also changing how theworld looks, together with the changes inthe United States Presidency at the beginningof the year, and of course Covid-19stillloomingoverus.We have observed strengthening of regionalization,and in South America,disintegration, mostly due to Brazil’s economicandpoliticalinstability.Inaddition,climatechangeisaffectingallofus.WitheverythingthatishappeningintheAmazon, a large majority perceive Brazil asa nation that does not give adequateimportancetoESGmatters.Another topic raised was related totechnology and innovation. It was notedthat Brazil is starting to lag behind, as anexample, 5G technology and theapplicationofArtificialIntelligence.Fortunately,warandterrorismdon’tpresentreal threats in Brazil, with the exception ofcyberattacks, which is another type of war.According to our fellow AmSoc member,Charles Ho, Brazil is one of the 5 countrieswhere hackers attack more due to the lackofcybersecurity.In relation to the dispute between US andChina, the US will remain a country closelylinkedtoBrazil,howeverBrazilneedstopayclose attention to the relationship withChina, being its most important tradingpartnernowadays.Apart from Brazilian exports into China,ChinaisalsoBrazil’stopinvestor.Brazil used to be the world’s 6 th largesteconomy and now it has dropped to 14 thposition.There were so many interesting topics thatwecouldhaveelaboratedforseveralhours.WethankallthosewhoparticipatedandwehopetowelcomebackMr.RubensBarbosatoanotherAmSocevent.Withalltheseimportantissues,asauthorofthis article, given the investigation on howthe government handled Covid-19, problemswith the health care provider PreventSenior,andthereformsthatmayormaynottake place, these are all key factors that willbe contemplated during the 2022 BrazilianPresidential Election. As the polls areshowingearlysignsthatitdoesnotlooklikeeitherJairBolsonaroorLulawillbeelected,whoever wins needs to maintain a strongrelationship with the US, and the relationshipwithChinamustbekeptintact.Inthemeantime,keepforwardingyoursuggestionsfor themes and speakers. Be sureto continue getting involved with all ourevents, including the Reader’s Group andSMILEactivities.Hope to see you all in person at one of ourupcominggatherings.§8The American Society of São Paulo FORUM Newsletter
GettoKnowUs#3/2021VolunteerSpotlight:ChristineSoaresCompiledbyNatalieDellaRosa,CACChairWe would like to send a huge thank you to Christine Soares for all of heramazingsupportofAmSoc!ChrisisthechairofourSMILEprogram.(Smile,Mentor, Impact, Love & Engage) which pairs AmSoc volunteers withenriching activities at our children’s charities. Thanks to Chris’s positiveenergy, tremendous organizational skills and determination, AmSoc hasbeen successfully able to continue this program during the pandemic. As part of the SMILEprogram,Chrishasorchestratedpizzanightsacrossourthreechildren’scharitieseachmonthsincethestartofthepandemic.Hersuccessatleadingthisendeavorhascreatedalotofjoyandhappiness!In addition to the SMILE activities, Chris was a leader in AmSoc’s first ever online auctionunder our new bylaw structure. Chris’s planning skills, problem solving capabilities, and fineeyetodetailenabledtheteamtosuccessfullyoffer130amazingitemsinitsauction.OriginallyfromSt.Louis,Missouri,ChrishaslivedinBrazilfor50years,raisingherownfamilyand grandkids here as well. Prior to joining AmSoc, Chris was an executive at Vale do RioDoce,whereshewasresponsibleforstrategicplanning.WearesohappyChristineispartofourAmSoccommunity!§The American Society of São Paulo FORUM Newsletter 9
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