A bilateral cooperation agreement will be signed tomorrow by the Brazilian sports minister, Orlando Silva, and the British sports minister, Richard Caborn, in São Paulo.

The aim of the initiative is to promote integration between the two countries in the areas of sports and social development through the exchange of methodologies, information and practices that use sport as an instrument for social inclusion.

The protection of children and teenagers and the development of leadership skills among young people are important aspects of the protocol. Its proposals include exchanges between participants in sports projects in Brazil and the UK, the joint development of pedagogical material and cultural activities, and the organization of seminars and sports competitions. The agreement will cover a three-year period, with the possibility of it being extended.

Mr Caborn is visiting Brazil at the invitation of his Brazilian counterpart. This visit is due partly to the fact that both countries are preparing to host important international sports events: the 2007 Pan-American Games in Rio de Janeiro, and the 2012 Olympic Games in London. The preparations for these events will be one of the items on the agenda during the meeting.

Source: Ministry for Sport