60th Anniversary of Fulbright Commission in Brazil

               Two years ago the American organization Fulbright completed 60 years in Brazil, so this post is a tribute to this organization that enables thousands of people to study abroad every year. In Brazil together with CAPES made it possible to this blogger to study in the U.S. twice, in January/February of 2018 and July/August 2019. This post is a summary of three articles. The first was published at     https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulbright_Program.  The second was published at https://br.usembassy.gov/fulbright-commission-celebrates-60-years-in-brazil/.  The third was published at https://fulbright.org.br/comissao/

                    The Fulbright Program is one of several U.S. Cultural Exchange Programs whose goals is to improve intercultural relations, cultural diplomacy, and intercultural competence between  the people of the U.S. and other countries through the exchange of persons, knowledge, and skills. It is one of the most prestigious and competitive fellowship programs in the world. Via the program, competitively-selected American citizens including students, scholars, teachers, professionals, scientists and artists may receive scholarships or grants to study, conduct research, teach, or exercise their talents abroad; and citizens of other countries may qualify to do the same in the U.S. The program was founded by Senator J.William Fulbright in 1946 and is considered to be one of the most widely recognized and prestigious schorlarships in the world. The program provides 8,000 grants annually. The fulbright program is administered by cooperating organizations such as the Institute of International Education and operates in over 160 countries. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the Department of State sponsors the Fulbright Program and receives funding from U.S. Congress. Additional direct and in-kind support comes from partner governments, foundations, and host institutions both in and outside the U.S. In 49 countries, a bi-national Fulbright Commission administers and oversees the Fulbright Program.  More than 370,000 people have participated in the program since it began, 59 Fulbright alumni have won Nobel prizes, 82 have won Pulitzer Prizes, 10 have been elected to U.S. Congress. The Senator J.William Fulbright said, "the program aims to bring more knowledge, more reason, and more compassion into world affairs and thereby increase the chance that nationswill at last to live in peace and friendship." In 1945, Senator J. William Fulbright proposed a bill to use the proceeds from selling surplus U.S. government war property to fund international exchange between the U.S. and other countries. It was through the belief that this program would be an essential vehicle to promote peace and mutual understanding between individuals, institutions and future leaders wherever they may be. In 1946, President Harry S. Truman signed the bill into law, and Congress created the Fulbright Program in what became the largest education exchange program in history.. Bi-national Fulbright commission and foundations, most of which are funded jointly by the U.S. and partner governments develop priorities for the program. 

                     In 2017, the Fulbright Commission celebrated 60 years in brazil. Since 1957, Fulbright has offered schorlarships to graduate students, fellows and researchers who want to make a difference in their communities. During the past six decades, Fulbright has sent over 3,500 Brazilians to the U.S. and brought over 2,900 Americans on exchange programs to Brazil. The Director of the Fulbright Commission Board, Abigail Dressel, said, "we are honored to have been part of these Brazilian fulbrighters's stories, from this incredible country, and to have contributed to cultural and educational growth through exchanges between Brazil and the U.S. It gives us great pride to see that, through Fulbright, Brazilians and Americans have been able to share their knowledge and achieve common goals."

               The Senator J.W. Fulbright said, "the essence of intercultural education is the acquisition of empathy. The ability to see the world as others see it, and to allow for the possibility that others may see something we have failed to see, or may see it more accurately." In brazil, the Fulbright Program was created in 1957, an international organization linked to the governments of Brazil and the U.S., called the Fulbright Commission. The Fulbright awards have led more than 3,500 Brazilians to study in the U.S. and brought nearly 3,000 Americans to Brazil. The Fulbright offers scholarships for graduate students, teachers and researchers who want to make a difference in their communities. With the Fulbright prestige and international recognition, to be a Fulbrighter represents to become a member of a network of alumni that includes Nobel laureates. The Fulbright Program seatches candidates connected to the world always willing to multiply and share the knowledge gained in their experiences to promote education. science and culture.

              

International Day of Democracy - 2019

                         Last monday, September 15th all the world celebrated the day of democracy. Since the beginning of civilization, the good leaders and the people are trying to improve this system. The huge manifestations in Brazil in 2013 and 2016, recent surveys and the renovation of 60% of the congress last year proved that the Brazilians are disappointed with politics as usual and have a wish for more participation, inclusion and renovation. Including a poll of the Senado showing that the more wished idea from the political reform, would be referendums and plebiscites used frequently. As you can see in a post published at this blog in November 2013 in this link  http://thepeopleteacher.blogspot.com/2013/11/political-reform.html.  An effective democracy is so important that through history so many have fought and died for it, so many have been suffering to reinforce its values and principles, and so many have dedicated their little spare time trying to educate the people about the importance of a functional democracy. The first step to a real democracy is respect for human rights and the constitution. All political system needs improvement, inclusion and renewal because if not it makes too many citizens apathetic or alienates them, losing legitimacy and enthusiasm as a result. The internet offers a chance for new forms of participation, transparency, civic awareness and activism. The politics can be better than actually it is, and this is precisely what the Brazilians want. This post is a summary of two articles. The first was published at   https://www.un.org/en/events/democracyday/. The second was published at   https://nationaltoday.com/international-day-of-democracy/. The third was published at   https://www.ifes.org/news/marking-international-day-democracy-2019

                2019 Theme is PARTICIPATION. This year's International Day of Democracy is an opportunity to recall that democracy is about people. Democracy is built on inclusion, equal treatment and participation. And it is a fundamental building block for peace, sustainable development and human rights. Democracy provides the natural environment for the protection and effective realization of human rights. True democracy is a two-way street. built on a constant dialogue between civil society and the political class. This dialogue must have real influence on political decisions. This is why political participation. civil space and social dialogue make up the very foundations of good governance. It is even more true with the impact of globalization and technological progress. And yet today, civic space is shrinking worldwide at an alarming rate. Civil society activists are finding it increasingly difficult to operate. Human rights defenders are under attack. women remain vastly under-represented. Journalists face interference, and in some cases violence. This International Day of Democracy, is an opportunity to urge all governments to respect their citizens's right to active, substantive and meaningful participation in democracy.  The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development addresses democracy recognizing the indivisible links between peaceful societies and effective, accountable and inclusive institutions.
             As free people, we sometimes take this for granted. Yet, when it is absent; we thirst only for this one thing that can fill us up and make us whole. It is democracy and every Septermber 15, we celebrate International Day of Democracy. The United Nations created the day to celebrate the system of values democracy promotes, giving citizens the power to make decisions regaeding all aspects of their lives. From democracy's birth in ancient Greece thousands of years ago through trial and error up to today, most of the world's nations choose democracy over all other forms of government. Every year. the U.N. holds official global events that spread awareness about democracy in actions. Past themes have included encouraging young people to take part in democratic movements. Learn more about this year's theme and see what you can do to take part. . From the ancient times of the Greeks and Romans, the Dark Ages and the Enlightenment, all the way to our modern world; the spread of democracy has had its ups and downs. Read a good historical novel or choose a documentary that will help you understand democracy and why it's so important today. Democracy is both a goal and a process which hinges upon your involvement. Thanks to digital advancements, it's now easier than ever to contact representatives, cast votes and make a difference in  government. Democracy is powerful because it gives a voice to a nation's citiens, enabling them to make changes as they see fit. One of the results of this form of government is that democratic changes creates space for new theories to emerge, leading to a world of innovation and improvement. A cornerstone of democratic societies is that they have the power to make change, when necessary. In principle, if things are going well, citizens have the power to maintain the status quo. But if things do not work out, it's up to the people to throw out the old and bring the new.
                   Since 2007 when the U.N. designated September 15th as the International Day of Democracy, organizations, governments and NGOs have joined to commemorate the importance of promoting and upholding principles of democracy. On this day, we lift our voices with others like-minded supporters of human freedom and dignity to raise awareness about the power that citizens have to determine by whom, and how, they rae governed. To appreciate the relevance of democracy we need look no further than to Hong Kong and Moscow, or to Caracas, where calls for greater representation and genuine self-determination underscore that democracy is not an end, but rather a means to achieving human dignity and development. The rising tide of threats to democracy in recent years also means that the Day of Democracy is an opportunity to reflect on how we can do better to ensure that the freely expressed will of the people is the basis of responsive governance and respect for human rights. As well remind us that all governments are obliged to respect their citizenss right to participation in political affairs. The theme for this year's is participation. We know that democracy flourishes only when all groups of society are represented and able to freely participate. Together with our civil society and national partners, the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) works to empower citizens to find their voices and fully participate in all aspects of democratic society.

200th Birthday of Walt Whitman

               Three months ago, the American writer Walt Whitman would complete 200 years-old. So this post is a tribute to him. He defended democracy, freedom and justice in his poems. This post is a summary of three articles. The first was published at https://www.biography.com/writer/walt-whitman. The second was published at https://www.rochester.edu/newscenter/walt-whitman-more-important-now-than-ever-228072/. The third was published at  https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/acac/c3c8dbdd912c36a63b0eb21af31786433f71.pdf

               Poet and journalist Walt Whitman was born on May 31, 1819 in West Hills, New York. Considered one of America's most influential poets, Whitman aimed to transcend traditional epics and normal aesthetic form to mirror the potential freedoms to be found in America. In 1855 he published the collection Leaves of Grass, the book is now a landmark in American literature. Whitman died in 1892 in New Jersey. Called the "Bard of Democracy" he was the second of Louisa Van Velsor's and Walter Whitman's eight children, he grew up in a family of modest means. Whitman's own love for America democracy can be at least partially attribute to his upbringing and his parents, who showed their admiration for their country by naming Walt's brothers after their favorite heroes. The names included George Washington Whitman and Thomas Jefferson Whitman. At the age of three, his family moved to Brooklyn, NY. At 11, Walt Whitman was taken out of school by his father to help out with household income. He started to work as an office boy and eventually found employment in the printing industry. In 1838 he started a weekly called the Long Islander. In 1846 he become editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle. In 1855, he finally found the style and voice he would been searching for and self-published a slim collection of 12 unnamed poems with a preface titled Leaves of Grass. It marked a radical departure from established poetic norms. Tradition was discarded in favor of a voice that came at the reader directly, in the first person, in lines that did not rely on rigid meter and instead exhibited an openness. In 1862, he traveled to search for his brother George, who fought for the Union and was being treated for a wound. Whitman moved to Washington D.C. and worked part-time as a volunteer nurse. In the mid-1860s, Whitman had found steady work in Washington as a clerk. He continued to pursue literary projects, and in 1870 he published two new collections, Democratic Vistas and Passage to India, along with a fifth edition of Leaves of Grass. In 1873, he suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He traveled to New Jersey, to see his ailing mother, who died just three days after his arrival. Frail himself, Whitman relocated to Camden to live with his brother George and sister-in-law Lou. In 1892, he passed away in Camden. Right up until the end, he'd continued to work with Leaves of Grass, which during his lifetime had gone through many editions and expanded to some 300 poems. He wa buried in a large mausoleum he had built in Camden cemetary.

                Walt Whitman is one of the most  influential voices in America and world literature. Roy Carver Professor of English at the University of Iowa, has devoted his professional life to understand Whitman's work. He is the author of 10 books. He also coedits the Walt Whitman Archive a resource for scholars and students around the world. Whitman always addressed his poems to readers in the future, arguing and questioning him about the diverse and democratic American future he promised.  American poets have viewed Whitman's radical poetics as essentially intertwined with the national character, a kind of distinct and distinctive American voice. This Whitmanian voice is heard throughout the broader culture as well-in films including Now, Voyager; Dead Poets Society; Sophie's Choice; Bull Durham; and many more. Whitman was an autodidact, he was done with his formal schooling by the time he was 12, and he learned by reading books he took out of lending libraries and by visiting museums. He learned typesetting as a teenager and published his first newpaper articles in his mid-teens. He reshaped his journalistic voice and oratorical voice into a new kind of poetry that has traits of both journalism-an attentiveness to detail, an obsession with observation of the world and oratory-long lines that have the cadence of a speech. His poetry is about a celebration of the individual and at the same time, the celebration of the "en-masse," the diversity of a nation that manages to stay unified while "containing multitudes." Nowhere is this fluctuation between self and cosmos, individual and nation, better seen than in his longest poem, Song of Myself.  When Whitman first began making notes towards the poem Song of Myself,  he jotted down "I'm the poet of slaves and the masters of slaves." he was trying to assume a voice that was capacious enough to speak for the entire range of people in the nation. If he could imagine such a unifying voice, he believed, he could help Americans begin to speak the language of democracy. Because people would begin to understand that everyone is potentially everyone else, that the key to American identity is a vast empathy with all the others in the nation. In Song of Myself,  Whitman says, "I contain multitudes," and this voice that is vast enough and indiscriminate enough to find within itself all the possibilities of identity would become the great democratic voice, a voice for all citizens to aspire to. Today, the nation is so divided in political and social ways that it has become impossible to imagine a single unifying voice. So Whitman seems more important now than ever. 

               This essay argues for Whitman's significance to contemporary democratic theory, neither as a theorist of moral or aesthetic individualism nor as a theorist of communitarian nationalism, but as a theorist of the democratic sublime. Whitman's account of "aesthetic democracy" emphasizes the effective and autopoetic dimensions of political life. For Whitman, popular attachment to democracy requires an aesthetic component, and he aimed to enact the required reconfiguration of popular sensibility through a poetic depiction of the people as themselves a sublimely poetic. He found the resources for political regeneration in the poetics of everyday citizenship, in the democratic potentials of ordinary life. Matthieson called Whitman "the central figure of our literature affirming the democratic faith". Whitman envisioned a democratic culture capable of sustaining and enabling a robust and stylized "aesthetic individuality." Whitman's attempts to overcome political and written mediation in his poetry also illuminate the peculiar way that he involkes democracy in his writing. Instead of arguing for the legitimacy of democracy in the American setting, the goal of Whitman's work was to provoke and disseminate a democratic sensibility that shaped the experiences of individuals below the cognitive level of conviction. For Whitman language itself - "greater than buildings or ships or religious or paintings or music - was a crucial marker of the autopoetic power of the common poeple. Whitman understands language as an incarnation of man's unconscious passionate creative energy. For him language is creative desire, this desire is, moreover, democratic born of a kind of sublime democratic spontaneity. Language is something arising out of the work, needs, ties, joys, affections, tastes, of generations of humanity, and has bases broad and low, and its final decisions are made by the masses. Whitman imagined his poetry to operate in a remarkable analogous way,  an analogy that may be based in his own familiarity with German Idealism.  Whitman translates quotidian democratic practices into poetry, offers a poetic transcription of the polyvocality of the vox populi, thereby offering the body politic an aesthetically transformed depiction of itself as sublime potentiality. Whitman's poetry urges citizens to take pleasure in the sublimity of their quotidian democratic life, to appreciate their unfinished state and formative power, rather than feeling paralyzing gaggery and guilt.