Emergence: Cameroonians learn from Brazil’s experience

The Ambassador of Brazil to Cameroon Nei Futuro Bitencourt says there is no model for any country to attain an emergent status but that each country has to create its own models and adopt other models to reach emergence. He spoke at the International Relations Institute of Cameroon (IRIC) in Yaounde on Friday, January 29, 2016 during the traditional diplomatic forum organized by the institution under the auspices of its Director, Tabi Pierre Emmanuel.

The Ambassador traced the history of Brazil’s emergence that started when the country gained independence from Portugal in 1822. Nei Futuro Bitencourt disclosed to IRIC administrative officials and students that before 2000, all efforts in Brazil were to lay the foundation for the country’s emergence. He said emergence only surfaced in the year 2000.

On the emergence strategies, he said the country adopted stringent governance, management and economic reforms and adjustments with the assistance of Breton Wood institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF).The adjustments that started in the 1980s also laid much emphasis on education with focus on training agriculture technicians and the creation of more schools to develop a solid human resource base.

According to the Ambassador, the Afro- Brazilian movements that worked with President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva, leader of the Workers Party who came to power in 2002 equally helped bolster the country’s emergence. Mr Lula recognized the central influence of the movements and also added the social programmes for the total emancipation of the population.

Brazil’s emergence, Nei Futuro Bitencourt said, got to the peak through its reinvigoration of relations with Africa with whom the country has long historical links. He disclosed that between the year 2000 and 2014, Brazil’s trade with Africa increased by 400 per cent. The country re-opened 19 of its embassies in Africa it had closed down during economic meltdown. Also in February 2011, it launched the South-South Trust Fund to bolster relations with African countries. The Brazilian economy occupies the seventh position in the world.

Emergence being not a static issue, the Ambassador said, Brazil has to fight hard to face staring challenges. He said the challenges include stagnation in growth; reduction in the budget that has compelled authorities to go back to adjustments; inability to maintain social level through provision of facilities and tackling protests provoked by the quest for improved social conditions.