Inaugural Brazil Activities Fair showcases Yale’s links with Brazil

(L-R) Deputy Consul General Luis Antonio Borda Silos; Consul General Ambassador Fernando Mello Barreto; Professor Susan Stokes, Chair of the Council on Latin American & Iberian Studies; and Professor of Spanish and Portuguese David Jackson
April 6, 2018

In support of the diverse array of activities and opportunities related to Brazil available through Yale University’s undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs, the Council on Latin American & Iberian Studies at the MacMillan Center hosted its inaugural Brazil Activities Fair on Wednesday, March 28. The fair showcased more than fifteen Yale-affiliated student, research, and professional initiatives with strong links to Brazil and Brazilian culture. The fair also demonstrated the wide variety of opportunities available to those interested in studying Brazilian topics and working with Brazilian institutions through Yale University and its New Haven and Brazil-based partners.

The fair was opened by the chair of the Council on Latin American and Iberian Studies and John S. Saden Professor of Political Science & MacMillan Center, Susan Stokes. Professor Stokes welcomed the event’s attendees and thanked the varied initiatives from across Yale and New Haven for supporting the event and sharing their Brazil-related work. Before introducing Professor Kenneth David Jackson, Professor Stokes announced an upcoming roundtable hosted by the Council on Latin American and Iberian Studies to be held at the MacMillan Center. The roundtable, scheduled for May 7, 2018, is open to undergraduate, graduate, and professional student attendees and will bring together scholars and policymakers to discuss U.S. perspectives on Brazil (details forthcoming).

Professor Kenneth David Jackson from Yale’s Department of Spanish and Portuguese, a co-organizer of the event, thanked attendees and encouraged students to join the upcoming roundtable and future Brazil-focused events. He then welcomed the Consul General of Brazil in Hartford, Ambassador Fernando de Mello Barreto. The Ambassador welcomed attendees and spoke warmly of the initiative as well as the upcoming roundtable. He also noted the importance of maintaining and building links between Yale University, Connecticut, and Brazil and thanked the initiatives and attendees for supporting the event.

The fair featured a live band covering Brazilian classics while attendees enjoyed delicious Brazilian fare, perused information booths, and mingled with other attendees. The well-attended event brought together Yale undergraduate and graduate students, professors, staff, professional students, affiliates, New Haven residents, and members of the Brazil-affiliated business community in Connecticut. The first event of its kind, students and professionals with links to Brazil mingled alongside those curious to learn more. 

The information booths included fifteen initiatives and groups from across Yale University and New Haven. Student-led clubs joined graduate researchers, Yale-based initiatives promoting Portuguese language learning, fellowship, exchange and networking opportunities, alongside Brazil-focused business, public health, and environmental initiatives hosted at Yale and in the greater New Haven area. Yale-based initiatives highlighted the university’s partnerships with academic institutions in Brazil. A full list of the organizations and initiatives represented is included below. More information on Yale’s partnerships in Brazil can be found here. To be kept up-to-date on CLAIS programs and events, including those related to Brazil, please visit the CLAIS website and subscribe to the email list for updates.

More Information on the Initiatives Presenting Their Work at the Brazil Fair can be found below (organized alphabetically):

​       Brazil-Yale Partnership for Global Health

Center for International and Professional Experiences – Study Abroad Opportunities

Global Network for Advanced Management

hub55 – Home to Brazilian Business in the USA

SIT Brazil: Public Health, Race and Human Rights

SIT IHP/Comparative: Cities in the 21st Century: People, Planning and Politics

SIT IHP/Comparative: Health & Community: Globalization, Culture, and Care

The Brazil Club at Yale

The Forests Dialogue

The PUB – New Haven

Yale Fox International Fellowship

Yale Law School Latin American Linkage Program

Yale Alumni Service Corps – Service Trips

Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies – Environmental Leadership & Training Initiative

Yale Summer Session in Paraty & Rio de Janeiro: Elementary Portuguese for Romance Language Speakers I & II + Culture

Written by Patrick Barker, Graduate Student, Yale University