Brasil e PALOP: política externa educacional do governo Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (2003-2010)

Abstract

This work addresses Brazilian educational foreign policy during the government of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in his first two terms, focusing on relations with the PALOP countries (Portuguese-speaking African Countries), composed of Guinea-Bissau, Cape Verde, Angola, Mozambique, and São Tomé and Príncipe. The main objective of this work is to analyze, both bilaterally and multilaterally, the agreements signed between Brazil and these countries in the educational field, as well as to understand how educational policy was used as a strategic resource, functioning as an instrument of South-South solidarity diplomacy. In addition, the work seeks to understand the design of Brazilian foreign policy and how education became an important issue for Brazil, not only in strengthening its bilateral ties but also in projecting its influence within the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP), acting as an instrument of soft power. In this sense, more than technical programs, educational cooperation initiatives reveal values that help in the construction of identities and project Brazil as an actor capable of dialoguing, integrating, and acting within the dimension of the Lusophone world. Finally, the work allows us to understand how important the relationship between Brazil and the PALOP countries was, both for Brazil, in its search for affirmation and influence within the CPLP, and for these countries, insofar as these agreements have significantly contributed to development and to human resource training.