An international seminar- India/ Goa- Brazil focused on Sustainability: Environmental, Social and Cultural aspects between the two countries. It was organized by the Lusophone Society of Goa in association with International Centre Goa (ICG).

Close on the heels of their recent initiative, the setting up of The Brazilian Cultural Centre in Goa (Centro Cultural Brasileiro em Goa), the Lusophone Society of Goa (LSG) organised an international seminar that sought to go beyond just cultural exchanges.

The non-profit organisation, LSG aims to disseminate the Portuguese language and the Brazilian culture and strengthen the ties between Goa and Brazil in all aspects, including the social and economic ones.

They recently organised the India/Goa – Brasil, seminar that focused on ‘Sustainability: Environmental, Social and Cultural Aspects. The seminar broadly discussed the relationship between India/Goa and Brazil and looked at the prospect of establishing possible common projects between Indian/Goan and Brazilian institutions/associations.

There were two types of presentations, one for locals, which were done in person, and one for Brazilians, which were done by screening of videos specially prepared by the authors for the seminar, held at ICG, Dona Paula. This was followed by an interaction with the public.

Former Union Minister Eduardo Faleiro said that Brazil and India share many similarities while inaugurating the seminar. “Both nations are developing countries and are among the 10 largest economies in the world, both have great ethnic and cultural diversity, “said Eduardo.

He further said that presently Brazilian stay in India and about 1000 Indians stay in Sao Paulo, Brazil. “Goa can share Brazil’s interest football and exchange of football players between the two nations.”

He further pointed out that the two countries share democratic values and are committed to foster economic growth with social justice. “Being a member of BRICS, India along with Brazil China and South Africa has initiated the New Development Bank with the present capital of 10 Billion USD by each member of the BRICS. This capital will be increased to US 100 billion dollars in the near future,” added Eduardo.

On that note, he observed that there has been a significant increase in trade and economic relations between the two countries and added that there should be a cultural exchange and student exchange programmes of writers, filmmakers and artistes etc. Eduardo also emphasised the need for the setting up of the Brazilian Cultural Centre in Goa.

Earlier, Dr Aurobindo Xavier, president of LSG and the head of the Brazilian Cultural Centre in Goa made the introductory remarks while the ICG president Yatin Kakodar, welcomed the guests. The two day seminar had lectures and interactions on various topics of interest concerning India and Brazil with special context to Goa being a former Portuguese colony like Brazil before its independence.

Source: Herald Goa