All they need is love! - Volunteering in Rio de Janeiro: Orphanage Romão de Mattos Duarte

In 2006 I went for the first time in an Orphanage in Rio de Janeiro called Romão de Mattos Duarte. The place where is located the orphanage nowadays, in the past – XVIII century - was the 1^st place in Rio de Janeiro where indigent and guilty mother could abandon their babies to the nuns – from 1738 to 1938. Currently, Romão de Mattos Duarte is no longer a convent. The nuns left the place and what remained are a chapel and a huge building from the XVIII century where the Orphanage is. They take care of children from 0 to 7 years old.

On Saturdays and Sundays the orphanage is opened from 14:00 to 16:00 for volunteering. Everyone that wants to visit the orphans is more than welcome. You can play with them, tell histories and give to them a lot of affection and love.

The most incredible thing that I discovered visiting the orphanage is that you go there to give your affection and love for these little pieces of God and you surprise because you is the person that leaves the place full of love. There is no price and nothing compared to receive a beautiful smile and an affectionate hug from one of them.

In only 2 hours of your weekend you can feel that you make something for this world, for these children needed of at least your presence.

All they need is love!

Contacts:

Educandário Romão de Mattos Duarte
Website: http://www.romaoduarte.com.br/
Telephone: +55 21 2558-7961/+55 21 2205-8725
Address: Rua Paulo VI, 60 – Flamengo – Rio de Janeiro – RJ - Brasil
To visit the children: Saturday-Sunday from 14:00 to 16:00

Congo, a Republic in Transit: The Child-Soldiers’ case

On December 2010 I completed my graduation course in International Relations with emphasis in Foreign Trade.

Despite the fact that I’ve worked with Foreign Trade in the UK Trade & Investment and that nowadays I work with Trading in a Japanese Multinational, since the beginning of the university I had a clear preference and passion for Politics, History, Sociology, Anthropology, Human Rights and International Law. The Humanitarian side, in general. Africa, was my chosen theme for dissertation already in the first year of course. I knew I would write about something involving Africa, but I was not sure on the focus.

When the 4^th and last year arrived, I watched a several documentaries (specially the documentary series “Nova África” from the Brazilian Television ”TV Brasil”), and I had the chance to be aware about the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was love at first sight. Obviously, I was horrified with the history of greed and terror that DRC through which, and at the same time, I felt revolt and an uncontrollable wish to do something to tell other people the illness that the multinationals, mainly from the technology area, are for this so rich country in mineral resources that continues to live under extreme poverty and war.

After that, I spoke with my thesis advisor that I wanted to write about DRC relating the theme with International Relations/Human Rights and children (that I love)…but what, exactly? Luckily, he gave me an excellent idea: write about the child soldiers. Voilà! I had a challenge to solve in, basically, two months! I read a huge number of reports from International Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations, testimonials from former child-soldiers, and romances from African writers. I didn’t have the time that I wanted to dedicate myself for this work at all, but, at least, I had the kickoff to develop my humanitarian ideas for the future – a Master course, books, documentaries etc.

The main reason that I’m writing a post about my dissertation is that I know how difficult is to find bibliography/sources on this specific theme. So, I’ll translate it to English and can provide a copy for colleagues that may have the interest in take a look on my “manifest”, according to my board of examiners when I did my thesis defense.

Below is the abstract:

“In the present work was attempted to present the horrifying situation of child soldiers that actively take part in armed conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The country’s history was briefly analysed – since the Belgium colonisation to corrupt governments, with the objective to verify in the end of this, the reasons that make these children integral parts of the actual humanitarian crisis’s juncture, with the intent to introduce  a deepening of the thematic of how is the participation of child soldiers in the Congo, and also, through a document analysis, observe how this international emergency’s issue has been debated in the main forums of the European Union.

KEY-WORDS: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO – CHILD SOLDIERS – ARMED CONFLICTS – MINERAL RESOURCES – EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT”

Brazil: an emerging big player in the world scenario

Yesterday, I had the pleasure to read an excellent article written by a Brazilian Ambassador, Rubens Barbosa, which was published in English by BBC News.

This enlightening article explains very well the main reasons that are making the Brazil's presence even stronger in the world stage.


Viewpoint: Brazil's growing international presence


Page last updated at 10:41 GMT, Monday, 24 May 2010 11:41 UK


http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/world/latin_america/10146223.stm

The Brazilian government's recent mediation efforts to persuade Iran to sign a deal on enriching uranium as a way of allaying suspicions about its nuclear programme highlighted Brazil's ambition to project its influence beyond South America.


Rubens Barbosa, former Brazilian ambassador to the US and the UK, offers his views on his country's growing international presence:


The world has undergone major political and economic changes in recent years. The era of US unilateralism has ended and new centres of power have emerged, a transformation accelerated by the global economic crisis.


Brazil is one of the countries to most benefit from the new international disorder.


But which specific factors explain why Brazil is opening up to the world and expanding its interests?


There are, first of all, various domestic reasons.


President Lula has pursued a pro-active foreign policy The most important has been the political and economic stability over the past 16 years, first under President Fernando Henrique Cardoso (1994 - 2002) and then under President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (2002 to the present).


Democracy and democratic institutions have been strengthened. At the same time, Brazil has enjoyed high levels of economic growth, the result of continuity in economic policy that saw inflation remain low and stable, the fiscal situation under control and a floating exchange rate.


Poverty has been significantly reduced, and 31 million Brazilians lifted into the middle class, which in turn has brought about a rapid expansion of the domestic consumer market.


Commercial liberalisation and the globalisation of Brazilian companies are indicative of how Brazil's economy has modernised. Diversification in the industrial and service sectors has gone hand in hand with the growth of the agricultural sector, highly competitive and with a strong presence in international markets. Brazil today sees itself as a global trader.


So economic stability and the attraction of Brazil's growing domestic market have begun to change foreign perceptions of the country. The downgrading of the "country risk" attributed to Brazil, and the awarding of investment grade by financial institutions have reinforced positive forecasts about the Brazilian economy.


Brazil, along with China, has become one of the motors of growth amid a global shift in industrial and agricultural production. The two nations are an important part of the increasingly influential emerging markets.




Honest broker


Brazil's last two leaders, President Cardoso and President Lula, each in his own way, played their part in raising Brazil's profile through their contacts abroad, their life stories and their ability to interact with fellow heads of state.


Two other significant factors behind Brazil's international prominence should be highlighted.

BRAZIL: KEY FACTS


Continue reading the main story


Pop: 193.7m (2009)


Urban population: 85.2%


GDP per capita: $8,205 (2008)


Life expectancy: 76 (women), 69 (men)


Main exports: Manufactured goods, iron ore, coffee, oranges, other agricultural produce


Main trading partners: US, Argentina, China


Source: UN, World Bank


Brazil's voice cannot be ignored on issues of importance to the developed world, such as foreign trade, climate change, energy (biofuels and oil), food, water and human rights.


Then there is the emergence of the Bric countries, as Brazil, Russia India and China are known, a grouping that has become one of the new players on the international scene in recent years.


Brazil's traditional diplomatic involvement in multinational organisations has reinforced the image of the country as a builder of consensus, an "honest broker".


International attention has also focused on Brazil's ethnic and religious harmony and the role it plays as mediator in more troubled parts of South America.


The more pro-active foreign policy pursued by the Lula government in South America, Africa and the Middle East, the result of the priority given to ties with the developing world (South-South relations), has brought about Brazil's growing involvement in both regional and global issues.

Brazil, unlike the other Bric members, is not a nuclear power. This, together with an independent stance on defending its own interests, has allowed the Brazilian government greater leeway in its involvement in disputes long handled exclusively by developed nations.


Reforms needed


Brazil is also engaged in the reform of global governance. It has been a strong voice in the G20 (a grouping that is gradually replacing the G8), calling for greater participation by emerging countries in the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund.


Brazil's younger generation: Set to be top of the world? For several years, Brazil has advocated wide reform of the UN's economic and political structures. It also supports the expansion of permanent and non-permanent members of the UN's Security Council that would give it greater weight and make it more representative in its role of overseeing international peace and security.


For these reasons, Brazil today, confident and assertive, is seeking to carve a role for itself outside South America as a regional power able to act well beyond its immediate borders.


In this context, Mercosur (the customs union that joins Brazil with neighbours Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay), from the commercial point of view, and Latin America, from the political point of view, are assuming lesser importance given Brazil's global interests.


Brazil now needs to complete the process of modernisation by enacting structural reforms (in tax, politics, social security and the labour market).


These reforms are needed to allow the great leap forward that could position the country as an economic superpower over the next 15 years, according to forecasts from governments and institutions such as the US National Intelligence Council.


What is clear is that Brazil's voice is set to be heard ever louder on the world stage.


Translated from the Portuguese by Liz Throssell, BBC News

Mexa-se

Se nos calarmos e nos acomodarmos diante das atrocidades cometidas pelos seres humanos para com seus semelhantes, o que vai se tornar a história da humanidade? Só nos restará um mundo "podre", em que o interesse desenfreado por riquezas, dizimará o que resta de povos que são explorados, mutilados, ignorados, negligenciados e subestimados. Quando é que um número significante de pessoas ao redor do mundo, se unirá para que o caminhar das coisas mude, sem temer as retaliações?

Devemos todos acordar para a realidade, e em vez de pensarmos somente em nós e em nossos caprichos, tentarmos procurar saber o que vem ocorrendo com as pessoas em certos países. E só assim, diante da indignação de um expressivo contingente da população mundial, é que, quem sabe, deixarão de ocorrer aos poucos as retaliações de que nunca tomamos conhecimento, àqueles que lutaram para que algo fosse feito.

A UNIÃO FAZ A FORÇA.

Observação: Aqueles que têm um pouco mais de conhecimento e sensibilidade de espírito, irão entender à que me refiro.

África Sustentável

Desde dezembro de 2009 venho acompanhando a série “Nova África”, da TV Brasil. Trata-se de um programa de 26 episódios, idealizado pelo jornalista e blogueiro Luiz Carlos Azenha.


A cada semana é exibido 1 episódio (sextas às 22:00 e reprises segundas às 20:00).


O intuito é mostrar ao telespectador uma nova forma de ver a África, um outro lado que é pouco mostrado nos repetitivos programas do History Channel, Discovery ou National Geographic, em que muito se fala da fauna africana, do folclore e da história do continente sob uma ótica européia, esquecendo-se do mais importante: o povo africano e a sua visão do que é a África.


O programa é de excelente qualidade para uma tv pública. Mais do que informações do desenrolar da história da África do século XXI, o “Nova África” dá espaço para que a voz do africano seja ouvida.


O programa é exibido desde setembro de 2009, mas como dito no início do texto, o acompanho há pouco tempo. Tenho adorado e achado de extrema relevância a pauta de cada programa. O último em especial – exibido em 29/01/10 me surpreendeu de forma bastante positiva.


Na fronteira da República Democrática do Congo, com Ruanda e Uganda, há uma enorme disputa entre os povoados, que, sem alternativa energética (por causa da enorme população e ausência de infra-estrutura para geração de energia), sobrevivem com o carvão. Os congoleses avançam sobre as áreas de preservação ambiental no montanhoso Parque Nacional Virunga (que abrange os 3 países. Duas árvores são derrubadas para produzir um saco de carvão, que é vendido a cerca de R$25,00 e utilizado pelos próprios nativos para uso doméstico.

O desmatamento ocorre no Parque que fica nas Montanhas do Virunga, próximo à cidade de Goma, no Congo, em que ruandeses e ugandeses atravessam a fronteira para ir até lá desmatar para produzir o carvão.

Essa questão da disputa e comercialização do carvão é uma problemática para os 3 países, por 2 motivos principais:


1) a maior concentração de gorilas das montanhas e da planície que vivem bem próximo aos povoados, nessa região – a Cordilheira do Virunga, têm o seu hábitat ameaçado com o desmatamento das árvores;

2) as milícias que controlam a produção de carvão do Parque Nacional Virunga – em Goma, ainda por cima, cobram uma espécie de “taxa” da população, por cada saco de carvão (+/- $12,00 ou R$25,00).


Porém, felizmente na RDC, foi implantado pelo governo um programa que incentiva a fabricação do briquet – uma fonte artesanal, em vez da utilização do carvão.

O briquet é uma mistura bem simples de restos de papelão, papel, folhas secas, serragem da madeira usada para a construção das casas e água. Essa “massa” é colocada em fôrmas cilíndricas, que depois são cortadas e colocadas ao ar livre para secar.

                                        

                                        

Já existem 15 mini fábricas em Goma. O briquet é utilizado como uma fonte energética em substituição ao carvão. As pessoas que ali vivem já incorporaram o briquet no uso doméstico (para cozinhar, por exemplo. O tempo de cozimento é mais rápido do que com o carvão).

Além de ser ecologicamente correto e mais barato, o briquet auxilia na preservação dos gorilas e não faz mal à saúde da população, como o carvão, que causava problemas respiratórios. Outro benefício que o briquet está proporcionando, são os novos empregos que estão sendo gerados (em cada mini fábrica são empregadas 6 pessoas).


Se o meio ambiente continuar a ser preservado, mais turistas irão até o parque, e, desse modo, ainda mais empregos serão gerados.


A boa notícia é que essa inovação do uso do briquet, já é implantada também em outros países mundo afora.


Contento-me em saber que a África segue em um caminho de sustentabilidade.

Links:


• Gorilla.cd – The official website of Virunga National Park, DR Congo


http://gorillacd.org/2009/02/19/briquette-production-the-beginning- of-an-alternative-source-of-fuel-around-virunga/ (Making briquettes in Congo)


• Virunga National Park


http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/63


• Programa “Nova África”


http://tvbrasil.ebc.com.br/novaafrica/

The Idan Raichel Project: Uma celebração à Paz

Em 2007 que me tornei fã do inovador projeto multicultural do músico israelense Idan Raichel.

Minha irmã baixou um cd lounge com músicas no estilo da compilação de Putumayo, e lá estava “Strong World”, uma canção de Idan Raichel e Ivri Lider. Foi amor à primeira vista. Imediatamente fui pesquisar na internet mais músicas de Idan Raichel, e foi então que passei a acompanhar esse criativo projeto de perto.

Idan Raichel é um músico-compositor e produtor israelense, nascido na pequena cidade de Kfar Saba no ano de 1977.

Desde os nove anos de idade que Idan toca acordeom. Se identificava com a música cigana e com o tango. Na adolescência estudou jazz, e, como de costume, aos 18 anos ingressou no exército israelense.

Foi quando ele se juntou à banda de rock do exército, como também produtor, que passou a visitar com freqüência diferentes bases militares, com a intenção de levar algum tipo de esperança e alegria aqueles que lá estavam nos hostis fronts.

Assim que deixou o exército, Idan começou a ser convidado para palestrar em escolas para imigrantes e para jovens que estavam em zonas de conflito.

Em um curto espaço de tempo, o músico foi se tornando famoso por sua performance como “cover” de famosas bandas populares israelenses, até que decidiu convidar mais de 70 músicos e amigos da cena musical israelense, para fazerem algumas gravações, em um estúdio improvisado na casa de seus pais.

Nesse momento, nasceu o Idan Raichel Project, que consiste em um coletivo multicultural, de gênero folk, world music e pop que reúne canções na voz de mais de 70 músicos de diversos países, com o nobre intuito de levar mensagens de amor, paz e tolerância ao mundo. O projeto é considerado no mundo todo um “acordo de paz”.

Além de excepcionais músicos israelenses, o grupo provém de diversos países, como Colômbia, Iêmen, Etiópia, Ruanda, Mali, Índia e Cabo Verde. As canções são escritas e arranjadas por Idan, mas cantadas por outros cantores, além dele.

Devo dizer que todas as músicas são simplesmente um must! Além de lindíssimas letras que comovem qualquer ser humano de bom coração, o ritmo contagiante nos leva a querer sair dançando por aí.

É uma mistura de pop, com trechos da Torá, cantos do Iêmen, salmos bíblicos, música tradicional etíope, ritmos caribenhos, groove moderno, folk e jazz. As canções são interpretadas em espanhol, hebraico, árabe, espanhol, inglês, dialeto etíope, dentre outros. Resultado: Uma combinação fantástica, cheia de carisma, que vêm conquistando o público mundo afora. Sucesso absoluto, o Idan Raichel Project já vendeu mais de 300.000 cópias desde 2002.

Idan possui três álbuns lançados:

- “Within my Walls” de 2008

- “Out of My Depths” de 2005
- “The Idan Raichel Project” de 2002

No início de dezembro de 2009, estava no trabalho, quando li que o grupo iria se apresentar no Rio de Janeiro naquela noite. Fiquei super eufórica, já que aguardava esse show desde 2007, e liguei para uma amiga implorando para que fosse comigo. Em 5 minutos a convenci de que valia a pena. Espero que a minha propaganda aqui no blog também tenha sido boa :).

Shalom Mor and Cabra Casay

Conclusão: Mais do que amei o show!!! É super animado e uma experiência única de ver um arranjo musical perfeito na união de vários instrumentos apaixonantes.

I was there!

Nessa turnê, não vieram todos os músicos já que o projeto conta com inúmeros, mas os principais estavam presentes.

Cabe ressaltar que um dos cantores que chama a atenção, é o iemenita Ravid Kahalani que faz coisas incríveis com a voz. Há um projeto dele para a gravação de um cd muito peculiar chamado “Yemen Blues”.

The Yemini singer Ravid Kahalani

Também não posso deixar de comentar sobre o talento da belíssima cantora Cabra Casay, nascida nos campos de refugiados no Sudão, mas de origem etíope-israelense.

The Ethiopian-Israeli singer Cabra Casay

Para os interessados em conhecer algumas das músicas do grupo, há vários vídeos disponíveis no youtube e no site deles.

O website oficial é http://www.idanraichelproject.com/en  


Encerro esse post expondo a minha opinião que é de projetos como este, que rompem barreiras levando esperança à diferentes povos que muitas vezes estão em conflito, que o mundo está precisando para se lembrar que somos todos iguais.

TEXT IN ENGLISH:


The Idan Raichel Project: A Celebration to Peace


On 2007 I became a fan of the innovative and fascinating multi-ethnic Project of the Israeli musician Idan Raichel.


My sister downloaded a lounge cd with musics on the same style of the Putumayo compilation, and there was “Strong World”, a song by Idan Raichel and Ivri Lider. Was love at first sight. Immediately I did a research on the internet to find more musics of Idan Raichel and it was then I started to accompany this creative project closely.


Idan Raichel is an Israeli singer, producer and composer, who was born in a small city called Kfar Saba in the year of 1977.


Since the age of nine years Idan started playing accordion . He was attracted to the exotic sounds of Gipsy music and tango. On his adolescence, He studied jazz, and, as usual, at the age of eighteen years old he joined the in the military service.


Quickly, he joined the Army rock band, also as a producer, and began his often visitings to different military bases, producing live shows, with the purpose to offer messages of love and tolerance, bringing some hope and joy for those which were there in the hostiles fronts.


After completing his service, Idan started to receive invitations to work as a counselor at a boarding school for immigrants and troubled youth living in conflict zones.


In a short period, he became a successful backup musician and recording session player by his performance as a “cover” of some Israel’s most popular musicians, until his decision to invite more than seventy musicians and friends from the Israel’s music scene, to make few records, in a small adapted Studio in his parent’s home.


On this moment, born the Idan Raichel Project, which consists in a multicultural blend, of folk, world music and pop genre which assembles songs from more than seventy musicians from diverse countries, with the noble aim to bring to the world messages of love, peace and tolerance. The project is known around the world as a “peace agreement”.


Besides the exceptional Israeli musicians, the collective comes from many countries, like Colômbia, Yemen, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Mali, Índia and Cape Verde. The lyrics are written and arranged by Idan, but sung by other vocalists and musicians, beyond him.


I must say that all the musics are simply amazing! Besides beautiful lyrics that are deeply moving to any human being with a good heart, the contagious rhythm awakens in us a dancing feeling.


It is a mixture of pop, Caribbean sounds, Hebrew, Ethiopian traditional music, modern groove, folk, jazz and arabic music. The musics are sung in Spanish, Hebrew, Arabic, English, Cape Verdean Creole and Swahili, among others. The result is a fantastic combination, full of charisma, which is being acclaimed around the globe. Absolute success, The Idan Raichel Project already sell over 300,000 copies since 2002.


Idan has three released albums:
- “Within my Walls” - 2008
- “Out of My Depths” - 2005
- “The Idan Raichel Project” - 2002


In the beggining of December 2009, I was working, when I read a headline saying that the collective would perform on that night in Rio de Janeiro. I freaked out, as I was awaiting this show since 2007, and I called to a friend begging her to come with me. In 5 minutes I convinced her that could be a single experience. I hope my advertising has been good here on the blog :).


Conclusion: I more than loved the show, indubitably!!! Is very sprightly and a unique experience to witness a perfect musical arrangements in the union of many adorable instruments.


It is noteworthy the unique performance of the Yemeni Singer Ravid Kahalani which issue incredible things with his voice. He has a Project to record a very peculiar album called “Yemen Blues”. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ6gYWq3KRY  


Also, I cannot forget to mention the talent of the stunning singer Cabra Casay, born in a refugee camp of Sudan. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKKqhJ4qCMw


For those interested in this sophisticated production, you can find many videos on youtube.

 Their official website is: http://www.idanraichelproject.com/en  


Finally, I close this post exposing my opinion which is of examples like this, that breaks barries bringing hope to different people - many times struggling in a conflict, that the world is needing to remember that we are all the SAME.

Finalmente o início

Já faz quase um ano e quatro meses que criei este blog com o intuito de compartilhar com os interessados, meus conhecimentos de Relações Internacionais, cultura, humanidades, política, Direitos Humanos e Direito Internacional, música, cinema e curiosidades, mas sempre encontrava empecilhos para não escrever. Resumo da ópera: 2010 chegou, é um novo ano e como sempre criamos uma lista de promessas para cada ano, decidi que neste deveria começar a postar.

Pois então, nada mais pertinente do que uma breve apresentação sobre mim. Me chamo Patrícia Latini, tenho 22 anos, sou carioca, aquariana, excêntrica, sonhadora, estudante do 7º período de Relações Internacionais (com formatura prevista para dezembro de 2010. Yeah!!! =D) e uma apaixonada por boa música, dança, cinema, política, direito internacional, humanidades em geral e cultura.

Espero que curtam o blog, se identifiquem e façam sugestões sempre que desejarem.

Sejam todos muito bem-vindos e um Feliz 2010!