Government of Brazil and NOVA School of Law sign Memorandum of Understanding

NOVA School of Law, through the Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Brazilian Government, represented by the Minister of State for Racial Equality, Anielle Franco.

The purpose of the document, signed at the Campolide Campus in Lisbon, is to pave the way for Portuguese-Brazilian cooperation in the promotion of racial and ethnic equality and the eradication of all forms of discrimination and intolerance.

The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding brings to fruition the cooperation between the Brazilian Government and the NOVA School of Law’s Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia, which began in April 2023, when they first agreed on the need to join forces to complement knowledge and experience in institutional areas of common interest.

As part of this co-operation, it is planned, among other initiatives, to collect relevant data on the black population in Portugal, involving both Brazilian and African migrants.

“This agreement is a powerful tool in the fight against racism, xenophobia and other forms of discrimination. With this signature, we have formalised the exchange of knowledge and the development of joint actions that will benefit the Brazilian population, especially those living in Portugal,” said the Minister for Racial Equality of the Federative Republic of Brazil at the meeting in Lisbon.

Teresa Pizarro Beleza, Coordinator of the Observatory on Racism and Xenophobia, said that “this signing is a happy day” and that “the Memorandum confirms the mutual will to cooperate in the fight against racism and xenophobia in both countries“. She added that “we have a lot to learn from Brazil, given its long legislative and political experience in this field” and concluded by saying that “the presence of the Minister for Racial Equality, Anielle Franco, honours our determination and our common goal“.