Brazil

The pre-colonial human presence in the Amazon proves that there is no contradiction between preserving the forest and human presence. However, regional arrangements of villages and communities have been threatened by the imposition of cities that also threaten the forest.

Brazil is positioning itself as an important player for multilateralism and international law in global crises and geopolitical upheavals. This raises high hopes for COP30 in November under the Brazilian presidency – but the challenges are also immense.

The danger posed by global climate and environmental crises has been known for decades, but so far it has not been possible to address them effectively and fairly on a global scale. An overview of the most important international climate agreements, how they work, their potential and the challenges they face.

The concept of land liberation through agroecology includes, in turn, the freedom of forests, in opposition to forms of privatization, commodification, and financialization of nature that reduce forests to mere credits.

Brazil's pioneering National Agroecology and Organic Production Policy offers valuable lessons, highlighting both achievements and challenges in advancing agroecology. Despite setbacks, its progress remains essential for systemic transformation.

The G20 has become an essential forum for discussing the biggest global economic challenges. How can civil society contribute to putting crucial issues on the table of the G20 heads of State? 

In the early morning of July 19th, 2024, an immense IT failure caused damage around the world, with repercussions that will be felt for months, resulting in, according to some specialists, the greatest cybernetic interruption in history.

The Heinrich Böll Foundation's office in Brazil is especially following the Civil Society engagement groups, the C20 (Civil Society 20) and the T20 (Think Tanks 20) of organizations discussing digital rights. 

The murder of Marielle Franco reveals the interdependencies between the Brazilian political system and organized crime. In the Interview with sociologist Daniel Hirata we find out more about the militias in Rio de Janeiro and their links to the government.

The damage caused by the rains in Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil is yet another example of a climate emergency. Beyond the social and environmental catastrophe, the tragedy has also highlighted another very devastating phenomenon of our times: disinformation.

Questions remain in Brazil after former President Jair Bolsonaro's supporters stormed the federal government's buildings on January 8.

Determined to stay in power, Brazil’s incumbent president Jair Bolsonaro borrows from Donald Trump’s playbook and is preparing the ground for a stolen election myth. He rose to power by learning how to mobilize voters from Barack Obama – and by flooding the internet with fake news.

The ultraconservative extreme right in Brazil is creating moral panic by pushing fake news about “gender ideology”. The fear of anything but heteronormativity plays a central role in the ascension of authoritarian leaders and democratic backsliding.

In Brazil, misogynist discourse and attacks against female politicians have rapidly increased since the election of Jair Bolsonaro. Especially those who dare to challenge gender norms have become targets of online vitriol. A new law that criminalizes political gender violence may bring some relief, but may not be enough to turn the tide.

Nowhere in Latin America are so many people killed by the police as in Brazil. But not everyone is equally affected by this. Society is divided between those people who “can be killed” and “good citizens”.

Despite criticism of China's growing influence in Brazil, Brazil's role as an exporter of raw materials and trade relations with the Asian giant were further consolidated in the first year of the Bolsonaro administration.

President Bolsonaro’s irresponsible approach to the coronavirus crisis has led to conflicts, also within the government. Meanwhile, civil society organisations are distributing food in poorer districts.