The Co-ordination of Higher Education Staff Post-graduate study (CAPES /Funding Agency of the Ministry of Education and Culture) and The British Academy signed a Memorandum of Understanding for mutual support and exchange of researchers. Renato Janine Ribeiro, Assessment Director, and currently acting Chairman at CAPES headed the mission to London on 12 and 13 September.

'Amongst the agreements we have reached, there is a possibility of a reduction in fees that the United Kingdom charges more often than the other countries with which we have international cooperation' Mr Ribeiro revealed.

In addition, the two institutions intend to hold annual humanities and social sciences meetings for the researchers to debate themes of joint interest. 'There is also an understanding that these debates and exchanges will not be focusing upon Latin-American issues but will examine universal themes, or at least themes related to both countries. The first meeting is scheduled for 2008', Mr Ribeiro stated.

The Brazilian delegation included Ruben Oliven, representative of the Brazilian Academy of Sciences (ABC); José Ricardo Ramalho, social sciences assistant representative at Capes; Ana Maria Fernandes, Deputy Chair of the Brazilian Sociology Society; Maria Hermínia Tavares de Almeida, Chair of the Brazilian Political Sciences Association; Luís Roberto Cardoso de Oliveira, Chair of the Brazilian Anthropological Association; and Danilo Marcondes, former Philosophy representative at Capes.

Source: CAPES and Embassy of Brazil in London