The School of Law at the University of New England (UNE) has strengthened its ties with Brazil following the success of the 1st Brazil-Australia International Congress.
This significant bilateral event, designed to lay the groundwork for research and educational collaborations between Australia and Brazil, is the first dialogue of its kind and marks a key milestone in UNE's ongoing efforts on establishing international partnerships.
The congress, held as a precursor to broader collaboration, was coordinated by Professor Paul Martin, Director of the AgLaw research hub at the UNE Law School. Paul was appointed by the National Congress of Brazil in recognition of his work in bringing about the collaboration effort.
The event focused on exploring sustainable and innovative practices in agriculture and mining, with an emphasis on efficiency, environmental risk assessment, rural social justice, and strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of new technologies. Discussions also covered future policies and governance in agriculture, mining, climate change, and the complexities of international trade in terms of sustainability and regulatory compliance.
The congress has set the stage for an ongoing research collaboration between Brazil and Australia, addressing shared challenges in sustainability and innovation. At the event, Julio Cesar Ribeiro, President of the Brazilian Congress, highlighted the importance of establishing a solid foundation for future research initiatives.
Image: Flavio Noguiero, Paul Martin, Ambassador Ms Sophie Davies, Congressman Jose Silva Soares, and Congressman Julio Cesar Ribeiro at the launch at the Australian Embassy.
Paul Martin said that the conference was possible because UNE's decade-long collaborative efforts in Agricultural Law (AgLaw) have earned it a good reputation in Brazil.
“It has led to trusted relationships such as the established strong collaborative relationships with three top Brazilian universities, all of which are eager to pursue further collaborations with Australian universities. These relationships have been solidified through joint publications, staff and student exchanges, and various events,” said Paul.
“UNE's AgLaw Brazilian connections span multiple universities, industry NGOs, federal and state bodies, and even the congressional friends group for Brazil and Australia. The Australian consulate in Brazil has expressed strong support for this new initiative, recognising it as a critical step toward advancing Australia’s objectives with Brazil.”
The congress benefited from simultaneous translation and financial and logistical support from the Brazilian Congress, the state of Minas Gerais, and a sustainable mining NGO. The Australian Embassy in Brazil hosted a launch event on August 7th, further demonstrating strong support for this initiative.
The conference was live-streamed, attracting a significant audience and generating lively discussions among viewers. Key contributors to the event included Professors Marcia Leuzinger (University Centro de Brasilia), Solange Teles da Silva (Mackenzie University), and Jorge Nogiero (University of Brasilia), alongside the invaluable voluntary efforts of Mr. Flavio Junior. Congressman Ze Silva's facilitation of engagement with other congressional members was pivotal, and he remains a committed advocate of the initiative.
Three UNE speakers and representatives from two Cooperative Research Centres (CRCs) involved with UNE were featured at the congress, including Professors Paul Martin, David Lamb and Dr Andrew Lawson. Additionally, experts from the AgLaw network, including CSIRO, NSW Farmers, Landcare NSW, QUT, and Canberra University, contributed to the event.
Watch the conference in full here:
1º Congresso Internacional Brasil-Austrália (parte 1)
1º Congresso Internacional Brasil-Austrália (parte 2)
1º Congresso Internacional Brasil-Austrália
The success of the 1st Brasil-Australia International Congress underscores the exceptional opportunities Brazil offers Australian researchers. With its many high-standard universities, Brazil presents numerous possibilities for research and educational exchanges, particularly in law, agriculture, humanities, indigenous issues, and other fields.
Image: Paul Martin with Brazilian professors and researchers
