Forum: Brazil's Option for Science Education; February 2008; Scientific American Magazine; by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Fernando Haddad And Miguel A. L . Nicolelis; 1 Page(s)

Less than a quarter of a century after emerging from a military dictatorship, Brazilians have built a stable and vibrant democracy in which more than 80 million voters freely decide the future of their beloved country in each and every election. Lately, by becoming a world leader in food production, spearheading the search for biofuels as a new source of renewable energy and seeking ways to grow its economy while still protecting its unique natural ecosystems, Brazil has started to address a broad range of difficult and unavoidable issues that currently challenge most developing nations worldwide.

Brazil had to work arduously during the past decade to achieve its present economic stability and prosperity. Yet at this crucial juncture of its history, the country faces the daunting task of translating its political and economic stability into social policies and programs that can improve, at long last, the quality of life for millions of Brazilians who, until very recently, would have had no hope of sharing in the country's enormous wealth. But how do you empower millions of citizens, particularly young people, to become true participants in a global society that is continuously changing at a stunning pace as a result of the neverending incorporation of new knowledge and technologies?