The following list of suggested steps is derived from the report Toward a California-Brazil Partnership: A Strategic Action Plan and a meeting of the Strategic Action Team in June, 2005. Although these ideas have not yet been fully evaluated or prioritized, they should serve as a guideline and catalyst for further discussion and actions.
View of Salvador de Bahia, Brazil
View of San Francisco, California
Trade and Investment:
- Encourage California businesses to invest in or trade with Brazil.
- Create a forum between our public and private sectors to brainstorm and coordinate trade and investment with Brazil.
- Organize a trade mission to Brazil comprised of California state and local officials and private sector leaders to explore partnerships especially in the areas of agriculture, technology, auto manufacturing, energy, as well as export opportunities.
- Create an exchange program that would study, expand and develop renewable energy technologies and opportunities in California and Brazil.
- Create an office in the state executive branch that will become the primary representative of California’s interests in international affairs and the focal point for foreign interest in California trade and investment.
- Consult with UC Davis on California agribusiness firms with potential for involvement.
- Work with the Chamber of Commerce to gain a better understanding how the Strategic Action Team could facilitate further business cooperation.
Education:
- Create a California-Brazil Student Exchange Program based on the successful California-Japan Scholars Program.
- Establish a California-Brazil K-12 Teacher and Administrator Exchange Program.
- Encourage increased internet utilization for professional training between California and Brazil teachers in K-12.
- Create an exchange program for faculty and students in California and Brazilian institutions of public higher education.
- Convene one or more policy-oriented conferences, involving legislators, academics, representatives of community-based organizations, and business leaders, to explore critical common issues such as educational access, innovation, and funding. Explore the creation of a non-profit foundation to sponsor these events.
- A short term goal could be establishing an agreement between a California school or system and that of Paraná, or even a UC and Brazilian Federal University agreement.
- Academic institutions and projects should identify each other and look for collaborative opportunities.
Environment:
- Implement a professional exchange between urban and transportation planners in Paraná and California local governments.
- Create an exchange program that explores the conservation and sustainability of natural resources based on the experiences of both California and Brazil.
- Promote and learn from Brazil’s experiences with renewable energy.
Social Programs:
- Urge and develop incentives for businesses in California and Brazil to observe socially responsible business practices.
- Create a resource guide to inform Californians and California businesses about opportunities to participate in not-for-profit, faith-based and corporate social programs in Brazil.
- Create a statewide collaboration of nonprofits who do work in Brazil.
Cultural Events:
- Organize a Brazilian display in Sacramento.
- Invite prominent Brazilian writers, artists, city planners, and architects to develop projects in California and to present their works in California venues.
- Develop programs in cooperation with Brazil’s federal and state governments that provide opportunities for Californian artists, architects, and writers to present their works in Brazil.
- Create an exchange program between youth soccer teams.
- Convene a forum for the exchange of ideas between the cinema industries in each country.
California State Government Interactions:
- Form additional sister city relationships between Californian and Brazilian cities.
- Create a reciprocal internship program between the Legislatures of California and the State of Paraná.
- Invite the Governor's cabinet members and the First Lady to participate in projects.
- Invite state policy staff to participate in projects.
California-Brazil Partnership
1020 N Street, Suite 516 · Sacramento, California 95814
(916) 651-1515 · FAX (916) 323-7827
Email · California- Brazil Partnership
Photo credits: Brazilian Government and the California Department of Tourism