Lemann Dialogue 2021

The Lemann Dialogues are annual conferences on Brazil collaboratively organized between four universities with endowments made possible through the Lemann Foundation: the Brazil Studies Program at the David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies at Harvard University; the Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies at Columbia University; the Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies at the University of Illinois; and the Lemann Center for Entrepreneurship and Educational Innovation in Brazil at Stanford University´s Graduate School of Education. The founder of the Lemann Foundation is Jorge Paulo Lemann, noted Brazilian business leader and a generous benefactor of Harvard University.  

The specific conference themes vary each year, but generally focus on contemporary social, economic, and political challenges in Brazil. Speakers at these conferences include faculty from the four collaborating institutions, as well as scholars, policymakers, and other experts from Brazil. The conference provides an excellent opportunity to showcase innovative research on Brazil, build connections between academic institutions, and connect leading academics and public policy experts.  

The 2021 Lemann Dialogue: Confronting the Covid-19 Crisis in Brazil, hosted virtually by Harvard University from March 22-26, aims to move beyond a mere analysis of the Brazilian response to the pandemic. The conference also seeks to address some of the country´s most urgent public policy needs and establish clear, evidence-based policy recommendations for the future. The 2021 Lemann Dialogue seeks to accomplish this goal by posing challenging questions to a diverse group of Brazilian scholars, leaders, and practitioners. Though the overarching themes of the Dialogue are public health, governance, and socioeconomic, racial, and territorial inequality, discussions around the impact of the crisis on the economy, urban life, the school-aged population, and the stability of democracy will take place throughout the week. 

Current students, faculty, and staff at Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign are eligible to attend the Dialogue. Current Lemann Fellow Candidates as well as former Lemann Fellows and alumni from the above universities are also eligible to register for the conference. Eligible audience members must register with their official university email address (registrants who use a personal email will be blocked). If you are eligible to attend but have not received an invitation email, please contact Tiago Genoveze.  

The 2021 Lemann Dialogue will not be open to individuals in other institutions or universities, or to the general public. 

KEYNOTE ADDRESS

José Gomes Temporão, Former Health Minister of Brazil, 2007-2010; Full Member, Brazilian National Academy of Medicine; Associated Researcher, Center for Strategic Studies, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation

MODERATOR

Marcia Castro, Andelot Professor of Demography; Chair, Department of Global Health and Population, HSPH; Co-Chair, Brazil Studies Program, David Rockefeller Center for Latin American Studies (DRCLAS)

WELCOME REMARKS

Steven Levitsky, Director, DRCLAS; Professor of Government, Harvard University

Gustavo Azenha, Director, Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies, Columbia University; Executive Director, Institute of Latin American Studies (ILAS), Columbia University

John Karam, Director, Lemann Center for Brazilian Studies, University of Illinois; Associate Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese

Martin Carnoy, Faculty Director, Lemann Center for Educational Entrepreneurship and Innovation in Brasil, Stanford University; Vida Jacks Professor, Stanford University School of Education

Frances Hagopian, Jorge Paulo Lemann Senior Lecturer on Government, Harvard University; Co-Chair, Brazil Studies Program, DRCLAS

SPEAKERS

Antonio Silva Lima Neto, Head, Epidemiological Surveillance Department of Fortaleza Health Secretariat, Brazil; Professor of Epidemiology, University of Fortaleza Medical School (UNIFOR)

Gabriela Spanghero Lotta, Professor, FGV/EAESP

Jorge Kalil, Full Professor and Head of Clinical Immunology and Allergy, University of São Paulo Medical School

Natalia Pasternak, President, Instituto Questão de Ciência

DISCUSSANT

Alberto Díaz-Cayeros, Senior Fellow, Center on Democracy, Development and Rule of Law; Director, Center for Latin American Studies, Stanford University

MODERATOR

Marcia Castro, Andelot Professor of Demography; Chair, Department of Global Health and Population, Hsph; Co-Chair, Brazil Studies Program, DRCLAS 

SPEAKERS

Emanuelle Goes, Postdoctoral Researcher, CIDACS-Fiocruz

José Antonio Campos Jardim, President, Central Única das Favelas (CUFA) Paraná

José Scheinkman, Charles and Lynn Zhang Professor of Economics, Columbia University

Ricardo Paes de Barros, Professor, Insper

DISCUSSANT

Mary Paula Arends-Kuenning, Associate Professor, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

MODERATOR

Bruno Carvalho, Professor of Romance Languages and Literatures and African and African American Studies, Harvard University

SPEAKERS

Carmen Zanotto, Brazilian Congresswoman, CIDADANIA/SC

Flávio Dino, Governor, State of Maranhão, Brazil

Lorena Guadalupe Barberia, Professor of Political Science, USP

Mariana Batista, Professor of Political Science, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco

DISCUSSANT

Otaviano Canuto Dos Santos Filho, Lemann Visiting Public Policy Fellows, Institute of Latin American Studies, Columbia University

MODERATOR

Frances Hagopian, Jorge Paulo Lemann Senior Lecturer on Government, Harvard University; Co-Chair, Brazil Studies Program, DRCLAS

MODERATORS

Frances Hagopian, Jorge Paulo Lemann Senior Lecturer on Government, Harvard University; Co-Chair, Brazil Studies Program, DRCLAS

Marcia Castro, Andelot Professor of Demography; Chair, Department of Global Health and Population, Hsph; Co-Chair, Brazil Studies Program, DRCLAS 

SPEAKERS

Deisy Ventura, Professor of Global Health Ethics, School of Public Health at the University of São Paulo (USP)

Gilson Rodrigues, President, G10 Favelas; President, União dos Moradores e do Comércio de Paraisópolis [Union of Residents and Commerce of Paraisópolis]

Guilherme Werneck, Researcher and Professor, Instituto de Medicina Social (IMS/UERJ)

CLOSING REMARKS

Jorge Paulo Lemann, Founder, Lemann Foundation