I was born in Brazil, but life took me to many other places abroad and I ended up here in the UK. Until recently I was a lecturer of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Brazil in Lebanon, where I taught Portuguese language, culture and history of Brazil – as a result of my degree in Literature at University of Sao Paulo and the Masters in History at Unicamp.
So, my interest for “Lusofonia” is in all its aspects: Portuguese language, Lusophone communities abroad, geopolitics of language, etc. Another topic is the Middle East, having lived there made me see how things really are in that part of the world.
Latest posts by Richard de Araújo
Brazil's Evolving Relationship With Refugees
The number of refugees accepted into Brazil practically tripled from 2012 to 2013.
Immigrants March for Equal Rights in Brazil
On December 2, a protest organised by foreigners residing in São Paulo took to the streets demanding full access to basic rights like health, security and decent work. The participants were Latin Americans and Africans who live in the city, and are fighting for their rights to be recognised by the Brazilian state.
Brazilian Immigration Policy Faces New Challenges
Whereas the subject has long been debated in Europe and the USA, the issue of immigration has only recently gained prominence in Brazil. This new Brazilian reality throws up a series of new challenges both for Brazilian society and the government.
Brazil: Middle East Economic Policy Under the Radar
The current search for new trading partners in unexpected geographic areas demonstrates the extent to which Brazil has changed its foreign policy the last few years. With an agenda that has focused primarily on global business performance, the Middle East has emerged as a key area for Brazilians.
Brazil: Is There A Clear Foreign Policy for the Middle East and Africa?
The twenty-first century has brought important changes to the balance of power which had been in place until then, with obvious ramifications for the international economy and politics. In this context, Brazil has come to dispute its influence in recent years in two regions which were formerly dominated by the central countries: the Middle East and Africa.
Brazil: Contemporary Slavery and Proposals to Fight the Practice
Although the practice of exercising the right of property over other human beings was abolished in Brazil in 1888 with the signing of the Golden Law, in practice, exploitation of slave labour continues on Brazilian territory, both in rural and urban areas, in the form of contemporary servitude.
Brazil: Irregularities Denounced in the Council of Representatives of Emigrants
Founded at the end of 2012, the Conselho de Representantes de Brasileiros no Exterior [Council of Representatives of Brazilians Abroad], or the CRBE, linked to the Ministry of External Affairs, has provoked the indignation of expatriate Brazilians owing to allegations of irregularities in the election process for its representatives.
Brazil: What Happens If There's Another Oil Crisis?
The rise in the price of oil caused by the impasse between the Western powers and Iran has been a cause for concern not just for the European and North American markets, but also for less vulnerable economies such as the Brazilian economy. On the other hand, opportunities are arising for a new chapter in Brazil's economic history.
Brazil: Dispute Over the Falklands Opens Debate on Economic Perspectives
The 30th anniversary of the start of the Falklands War and the recent public statements by Argentine President Cristina Kirchner cause us to evaluate those events from new perspectives, including their current implications for Brazil as the largest economy of Mercosur.
The “Brazilebanese”, or Brazilians from Lebanon
The return of Lebanese immigrants and their Brazilian families to Lebanon has resulted in the creation of an important community of "Brazilebanese". This community has been making efforts to keep ties with Brazil through the Portuguese language, which has more speakers than Arabic in some villages.
