THINKING

UPDATE NO. 16 - MARCH 2005 An Electronic Newsletter of BRAZIL @ THE WILSON CENTER Setting a Course for Equality UU Guaranteed Minimum Income in Brazil oughly equivalent to the landmass R of the continental United States, Brazil has effectively utilized its vast natu- P ral and human resources to secure its posi- P tion as a leader in the region and hemi- sphere. However, with almost 50 million of the nation’s 181 million inhabitants residing below the poverty line, Brazil has D one of the most unequal income distribu- D tions in the world. In recent times many worthwhile pro- grams have been introduced to combat this inequality, but none perhaps so bold A or as promising as the Citizen’s Basic A Income (CBI) legislation (Bill no. 10.385) signed into law by Brazilian President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva in January of 2004. Grounded in the principle that an uncon- ditional and guaranteed minimum income TT Eduardo Suplicy can strike a major blow for the eradication of poverty, this initiative will be implemented gradually over the next several years.

EE At a February 10 session, Brazil @ the of this program, which he believes can Wilson Center and The Inter-American bestow dignity and for not Development Bank were pleased host the only the people of Brazil, but for many author of this landmark legislation, unequal nations of the world. Brazilian Senator Eduardo Suplicy. A Despite its position among the top member of Lula’s Partido Trablahadores 20 economies, Brazil has one of the most (Workers Party), Senator Suplicy has been unequal distributions of income in the working on these issues for many years, world.With nearly 50 million inhabitants and had recently completed a period of residing below the poverty line, many research in residence at the Woodrow resources have been tasked to combat Wilson Center. His presentation provided this problem. A recent example is the insight into the origins and fundamentals Bolsa Familia program, which consoli- 2 THINKING BRAZIL zen hasther nomic fr Basedonthepremise ofeco- a different direction. rectify theseproblems by attackingtheissue from criticism of criticism Heacknowledgedmented over thenextfew years. imple- whichwillbegradually CBI initiative, clouding eligibility determination. clouding eligibility incomedeclarationsand distorting economy, Brazil’ need. toreachcratic inefficiencyandfailure many in which haslambastedtheprogram foritsbureau- andschoolattendance. levels ofnutrition, adequate including attainmentofvaccinations, on thefulfillmentofparental responsibilities Participation intheprogram iscontingent grams. andfoodcard pro- gas, nutrition, dates education, Familia ain h rga ilpoiearglr uni- theprogram willprovide aregular, nation, esblt fmdr mlmnain citing implementation, feasibility ofmodern Suplicyemphasized the backasConfucius, as far oftheconcept Referencing theorigins Brazil. beyondtion ofCBIprinciples of theborders Suplicy hascontinued tochampiontheapplica- Silv contingency basedwelfare programs. and disincenti whilstremoving theindignity capacities, earning through eligibility attempting todetermine tion willeliminatethemonumental challengeof Theuniversality ofitsapplica- Brazilian citizen. v er The Citizens’ that however, Senator Suplicyexplained, sal andunconditionalstipendfore Since BrazilianPr indtemaueit a,Senator a signedthemeasure intolaw, s population participates inaninformal s populationparticipates Suplicy noted that a major portion of Suplicy notedthatamajorportion is actually only a preliminary phaseofthe is actuallyonlyapreliminary eedom andtheasser Bolsa Familia ight topar v e foremplo Basic Incomeinitiati esident LuisInácioLulada ticipate inthewealth ofa by theBrazilianpress, yment associatedwith tion thate ve aimsto v ery citi- ery Bolsa v er y L I Z A R B G N I K N I H T 3

House on the outskirts of Manaus, Amazonas related successes such as the Child Trust Fund in Thinking Brazil Update is an electronic publica- the United Kingdom and the Alaska Permanent tion of Brazil @ the Wilson Center. This project is Fund in the United States. In Suplicy’s view, the founded on the conviction that Brazil and the U.S.- Citizen’s Basic Income concept should be consid- Brazilian relationship deserve to receive better atten- ered not only as a tool for the amelioration of tion in Washington. Brazil’s population, size, and poverty and improvement of social justice, but also economy,as well as its unique position as a regional leader and global player fully justify this interest. In as an essential element for the resolution of deeply response, and in keeping with the Center’s mission rooted problems such as armed conflict through- to bridge scholarly research and public action, Brazil out the world. @ the Wilson Center sponsors activities designed to ––– create a “presence” for Brazil in Washington that captures the attention of the policymaking commu- nity. Brazil @ the Wilson Center is grateful for the support of ADM, and The GE Foundation.

For more information please refer to www.wilsoncenter.org/brazil or contact Alex Parlini at [email protected]