SOCIAL AGENDA IN LULA'S FOREIGN POLICY: THE CASES OF INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION PROVIDED BY MDS AND ABC

Abstract

This article aims to analyze the international cooperation provided by Brazil through the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) and the Ministry of Social Development and Fight against Hunger (MDS) during the Lula government (2003-2010). These are complementary case studies that bring a vision of both the wider work of the ABC, the body that centralizes the Brazilian international cooperation,and a specific ministry, MDS, which works in conjunction with ABC in technical cooperation initiatives in the social area. The performance of ABC have played a fundamental role in order to share technical and social technologies developed from the know-how acquired by government agencies operating in Brazil (such as EMBRAPA, SENAI, among others). On the other hand, the MDS technical cooperation has been an extremely important practice. For sharing knowledge directly among that minority which is involved with the decision-making process in their respective governments, it can alter the course strategies and tactics for the development of the countries involved. During the Lula government, the actions of both bodies ensures greater political interdependence, generating ideological and theoretical affinities and allow continuous improvement of public policies promoting development in the South.

Keywords

• cooperação sul-sul
• política externa brasileira
• governo lula
• políticas sociais
• abc
• mds.