Currently released so far... 5268 / 251,287
Articles
Browse latest releases
2010/12/01
2010/12/02
2010/12/03
2010/12/04
2010/12/05
2010/12/06
2010/12/07
2010/12/08
2010/12/09
2010/12/10
2010/12/11
2010/12/12
2010/12/13
2010/12/14
2010/12/15
2010/12/16
2010/12/17
2010/12/18
2010/12/19
2010/12/20
2010/12/21
2010/12/22
2010/12/23
2010/12/24
2010/12/25
2010/12/26
2010/12/27
2010/12/28
2010/12/29
2010/12/30
2011/01/01
2011/01/02
2011/01/04
2011/01/05
2011/01/07
2011/01/09
2011/01/10
2011/01/11
2011/01/12
2011/01/13
2011/01/14
2011/01/15
2011/01/16
2011/01/17
2011/01/18
2011/01/19
2011/01/20
2011/01/21
2011/01/22
2011/01/23
2011/01/24
2011/01/25
2011/01/26
2011/01/27
2011/01/28
2011/01/29
2011/01/30
2011/01/31
2011/02/01
2011/02/02
2011/02/03
2011/02/04
2011/02/05
2011/02/06
2011/02/07
2011/02/08
2011/02/09
2011/02/10
2011/02/11
2011/02/12
2011/02/13
2011/02/14
2011/02/15
2011/02/16
2011/02/17
2011/02/18
2011/02/19
2011/02/20
2011/02/21
2011/02/22
2011/02/23
2011/02/24
2011/02/25
2011/02/26
2011/02/27
2011/02/28
Browse by creation date
Browse by origin
Embassy Athens
Embassy Asuncion
Embassy Astana
Embassy Asmara
Embassy Ashgabat
Embassy Ankara
Embassy Amman
Embassy Algiers
Embassy Addis Ababa
Embassy Accra
Embassy Abuja
Embassy Abu Dhabi
Embassy Abidjan
Consulate Amsterdam
American Institute Taiwan, Taipei
Embassy Bujumbura
Embassy Buenos Aires
Embassy Budapest
Embassy Bucharest
Embassy Brussels
Embassy Bridgetown
Embassy Bratislava
Embassy Brasilia
Embassy Bogota
Embassy Bishkek
Embassy Bern
Embassy Berlin
Embassy Belgrade
Embassy Beirut
Embassy Beijing
Embassy Banjul
Embassy Bangkok
Embassy Bandar Seri Begawan
Embassy Bamako
Embassy Baku
Embassy Baghdad
Consulate Barcelona
Embassy Copenhagen
Embassy Conakry
Embassy Colombo
Embassy Chisinau
Embassy Caracas
Embassy Canberra
Embassy Cairo
Consulate Curacao
Consulate Casablanca
Consulate Cape Town
Embassy Dushanbe
Embassy Dublin
Embassy Doha
Embassy Djibouti
Embassy Dhaka
Embassy Dar Es Salaam
Embassy Damascus
Embassy Dakar
Consulate Dubai
Embassy Kyiv
Embassy Kuwait
Embassy Kuala Lumpur
Embassy Kinshasa
Embassy Kigali
Embassy Khartoum
Embassy Kampala
Embassy Kabul
Embassy Luxembourg
Embassy Luanda
Embassy London
Embassy Ljubljana
Embassy Lisbon
Embassy Lima
Embassy Lilongwe
Embassy La Paz
Consulate Lagos
Mission USNATO
Embassy Muscat
Embassy Moscow
Embassy Montevideo
Embassy Monrovia
Embassy Minsk
Embassy Mexico
Embassy Mbabane
Embassy Maputo
Embassy Manama
Embassy Managua
Embassy Malabo
Embassy Madrid
Consulate Munich
Consulate Montreal
Consulate Monterrey
Consulate Milan
Embassy Pristina
Embassy Pretoria
Embassy Prague
Embassy Port Au Prince
Embassy Phnom Penh
Embassy Paris
Embassy Paramaribo
Embassy Panama
Consulate Peshawar
REO Basrah
Embassy Rome
Embassy Riyadh
Embassy Riga
Embassy Reykjavik
Embassy Rangoon
Embassy Rabat
Consulate Rio De Janeiro
Consulate Recife
Secretary of State
Embassy Stockholm
Embassy Sofia
Embassy Skopje
Embassy Singapore
Embassy Seoul
Embassy Sarajevo
Embassy Santo Domingo
Embassy Santiago
Embassy Sanaa
Embassy San Salvador
Embassy San Jose
Consulate Strasbourg
Consulate Shenyang
Consulate Shanghai
Consulate Sao Paulo
Embassy Tunis
Embassy Tripoli
Embassy Tokyo
Embassy The Hague
Embassy Tel Aviv
Embassy Tehran
Embassy Tegucigalpa
Embassy Tbilisi
Embassy Tashkent
Embassy Tallinn
USUN New York
USEU Brussels
US Mission Geneva
US Interests Section Havana
US Delegation, Secretary
UNVIE
Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Browse by tag
AF
ASEC
AR
AORC
AJ
AM
AMGT
AE
AU
AGMT
AG
AS
AFIN
APER
ABUD
ATRN
AL
AEMR
ACOA
AO
AX
AMED
ADCO
AODE
AFFAIRS
AC
ASIG
ABLD
AA
AFU
ASUP
AROC
ATFN
AVERY
APCS
AER
ASECKFRDCVISKIRFPHUMSMIGEG
AEC
APECO
CU
CO
CH
CDG
CIA
CACM
CDB
CI
CS
CVIS
CA
CBW
CASC
CD
CV
CMGT
CLINTON
CE
CJAN
CG
CF
CN
CAN
COUNTER
CIS
CM
CONDOLEEZZA
COE
CR
CY
CTM
COUNTRY
CLEARANCE
CPAS
CWC
CT
CKGR
CB
CACS
COM
CJUS
CARSON
CL
COUNTERTERRORISM
EG
ECON
ETTC
EFIN
EZ
ETRD
EUN
ELAB
EU
EINV
EAID
EMIN
ENRG
ECPS
EN
ER
ET
ES
EPET
EUC
EI
EAIR
EAGR
EIND
EWWT
ELTN
EREL
ECIN
EFIS
EINT
EC
ECONEFIN
ENVR
ECA
ELN
EFTA
EXTERNAL
EINVETC
ENIV
EINN
ENGR
EUR
ESA
ENERG
EK
ENGY
ETRO
ETRDEINVECINPGOVCS
ETRDEINVTINTCS
ENVI
ESENV
ELECTIONS
ECUN
EINVEFIN
ECIP
EINDETRD
IV
IR
IS
IZ
IAEA
IN
IT
ICTY
IQ
ICAO
INTERPOL
IPR
INRB
IRAJ
INRA
INRO
IO
IC
ID
IIP
ITPHUM
IWC
ISRAELI
IRAQI
ICRC
IMO
IF
ILC
IEFIN
INTELSAT
IL
IA
IBRD
IMF
INR
IRC
ITALY
ITALIAN
KGIC
KDEM
KTIP
KOMC
KNNP
KWBG
KU
KPAL
KGHG
KAWK
KISL
KPAO
KHLS
KSUM
KSPR
KJUS
KCRM
KGCC
KPIN
KDRG
KTFN
KG
KBIO
KHIV
KSCA
KN
KS
KCOR
KZ
KE
KFRD
KIPR
KPKO
KNUC
KMDR
KPLS
KOLY
KUNR
KIRF
KIRC
KACT
KRAD
KCOM
KMCA
KV
KHDP
KVPR
KDEV
KWMN
KMPI
KFRDCVISCMGTCASCKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KCFC
KTIA
KPRP
KAWC
KCIP
KCFE
KOCI
KTDB
KMRS
KLIG
KBCT
KICC
KGIT
KSTC
KPAK
KNEI
KSEP
KPOA
KFLU
KNUP
KNNPMNUC
KO
KTER
KHUM
KRFD
KBTR
KDDG
KWWMN
KFLO
KSAF
KBTS
KPRV
KNPP
KNAR
KWMM
KERG
KFIN
KFRDKIRFCVISCMGTKOCIASECPHUMSMIGEG
KTBT
KCRS
KRVC
KSTH
KREL
KNSD
KTEX
KPAI
KHSA
KR
KPWR
KWAC
KMIG
KSEC
KIFR
KDEMAF
MOPS
MARR
MNUC
MX
MASS
MCAP
MO
MIL
MTCRE
ML
MR
MZ
MPOS
MOPPS
MTCR
MAPP
MU
MY
MA
MG
MASC
MCC
MEPP
MK
MTRE
MP
MDC
MAR
MEPI
MRCRE
MI
MT
MQADHAFI
MD
MAPS
MUCN
MASSMNUC
MERCOSUR
MC
OVIP
OPDC
OPRC
OIIP
OFFICIALS
OSAC
OAS
OEXC
ODIP
OREP
OFDP
OTRA
OSCE
OPIC
OECD
OPCW
OSCI
OIE
OIC
OTR
OVP
PARM
PREL
PTER
PHUM
PGOV
PINR
PINS
PREF
PK
PE
PBTS
POGOV
PROP
PINL
PL
POL
PBIO
PSOE
PHSA
PKFK
PO
PGOF
PA
PARMS
PORG
PM
PMIL
PTERE
PF
PALESTINIAN
PY
PGGV
PNR
POV
PAK
PAO
PFOR
PHALANAGE
PARTY
PRGOV
PNAT
PROV
PEL
PINF
PGOVE
POLINT
PRL
PRAM
PMAR
PGOVLO
PHUMBA
PHUS
PHUMPREL
POLITICS
PEPR
PSI
PINT
PU
POLITICAL
PARTIES
PECON
SOCI
SY
SENV
SA
SP
SNAR
SG
SCUL
SR
STEINBERG
SF
SW
SU
SL
SMIG
SO
SN
SHUM
SZ
SYR
ST
SANC
SC
SAN
SIPRS
SK
SH
SI
TS
TU
TX
TBIO
TW
TSPA
TH
TIP
TI
TRGY
TC
TR
TT
TERRORISM
TO
TFIN
TD
TSPL
TZ
TPHY
TK
TNGD
TINT
TRSY
TP
UK
UN
US
UNGA
UNSC
UNO
UNMIK
UV
UY
UP
UG
USEU
USUN
UZ
UNESCO
UE
UAE
UNEP
USTR
UNHCR
UNDP
UNHRC
USAID
UNCHS
UNAUS
UNCHC
Browse by classification
Community resources
courage is contagious
Viewing cable 08SAOPAULO499, Sao Paulo Consultations Related to the Joint Action Plan to
If you are new to these pages, please read an introduction on the structure of a cable as well as how to discuss them with others. See also the FAQs
Understanding cables
Every cable message consists of three parts:
- The top box shows each cables unique reference number, when and by whom it originally was sent, and what its initial classification was.
- The middle box contains the header information that is associated with the cable. It includes information about the receiver(s) as well as a general subject.
- The bottom box presents the body of the cable. The opening can contain a more specific subject, references to other cables (browse by origin to find them) or additional comment. This is followed by the main contents of the cable: a summary, a collection of specific topics and a comment section.
Discussing cables
If you find meaningful or important information in a cable, please link directly to its unique reference number. Linking to a specific paragraph in the body of a cable is also possible by copying the appropriate link (to be found at theparagraph symbol). Please mark messages for social networking services like Twitter with the hash tags #cablegate and a hash containing the reference ID e.g. #08SAOPAULO499.
Reference ID | Created | Released | Classification | Origin |
---|---|---|---|---|
08SAOPAULO499 | 2008-09-23 11:11 | 2011-02-16 00:12 | UNCLASSIFIED | Consulate Sao Paulo |
VZCZCXRO9489
RR RUEHRG
DE RUEHSO #0499/01 2671111
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 231111Z SEP 08
FM AMCONSUL SAO PAULO
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8537
INFO RUEHBR/AMEMBASSY BRASILIA 9670
RUEHRG/AMCONSUL RECIFE 4200
RUEHRI/AMCONSUL RIO DE JANEIRO 8859
RUEHBU/AMEMBASSY BUENOS AIRES 3256
RUEHAC/AMEMBASSY ASUNCION 3503
RUEHMN/AMEMBASSY MONTEVIDEO 2779
RUEHSG/AMEMBASSY SANTIAGO 2503
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ 3916
UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 03 SAO PAULO 000499
SIPDIS
STATE PASS TO BSC FOR BVASQUEZ
STATE FOR DRL
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KPAO BR
SUBJECT: Sao Paulo Consultations Related to the Joint Action Plan to
Eliminate Racism (JAPER)
REF:
¶1. Summary: USG officials held consultations in Sao Paulo with members of civil society on September 10 at Unipalmares, Brazil's first and only university tailored to the needs of Afro-Brazilians. The consultation followed technical meetings for the U.S.-Brazil Joint Action Plan to Eliminate Racial and Ethnic Discrimination and Promote Equality (JAPER) held in Brasilia (septel). Representatives from the Afro-Brazilian community said their chief challenge was the "invisibility" of both their group and its concerns about racism. Brazil sees itself as a multi-racial democracy, even though problems such as exclusion from the job market, negative and stereotyped media portrayals, and systematic educational inequality remain serious problems for Afro-Brazilians. Participants embraced the idea of the JAPER. Afro-Brazilians are aware of racial challenges in U.S., but are also impressed with what they see as the United States' greater honesty in addressing race issues. Unipalmares' founder and Rector, Jose Vicente, summed up the meeting by noting that "five year's ago this discussion could never have taken place," since neither Unipalmares nor the JAPER even existed. End Summary.
U.S. Reps Consult on JAPER ------------------------------
¶2. The first civil society consultation related to the U.S.-Brazil Joint Action Plan to Eliminate Racism (JAPER) took place on September 10 at Unipalmares (the Zumbi dos Palmares University, Brazil's first and only university tailored to the needs of Afro-Brazilians). U.S. representatives met with Brazilian academics as well as representatives of both civil society and the private sector to learn about racial discrimination issues in Brazil, ask for views regarding potential areas of focus for the Action Plan, and to begin a dialogue regarding measures to gauge success. Among the U.S. representatives were: Inter-American Foundation (IAF) President Ambassador Larry Palmer, IAF staffer Judith Morrison, BSC Director Milton Drucker, WHA/PDA desk officer Blakeney Vasquez and WHA Brazil desk officer Ben Chiang. USG participants were joined during part of the day-long session by WHA PDAS Ambassador Craig Kelly and Under Secretary Giovanni Harvey of Brazil's Secretariat to Promote Racial Equality (SEPPIR). Various members of the Brazilian academic community and Afro-Brazilian communities also took part, including Unipalmares Rector Jose Vicente. Private sector banks that both support Unipalmares and that engage in affirmative action also sent representatives.
¶3. U.S. representatives Milton Drucker and Ambassador Larry Palmer led off the meeting by presenting the overall concept of the U.S.-Brazil JAPER. Drucker was careful to explain that the U.S. representatives had come to listen and exchange ideas as to how both societies could learn from each other in the fight against racism, racial discrimination and social exclusion. Ambassador Palmer asked the audience to describe the problems Afro-Brazilians face and to determine yardsticks for the success of the JAPER. Defining the Dimensions of the Problem
¶4. The Brazilian audience, composed mostly of academics and representatives from Afro-Brazilian NGOs, responded enthusiastically. Among the key points made were: -Afro-Brazilian "Invisibility." The myth of "multi-racial democracy" in Brazil has suppressed a real discussion of continuing problems of exclusion and racism for Afro-Brazilians. As a result, it is difficult for Afro-Brazilians to put burning issues - inequality, exclusion, continued underrepresentation in government, poor and even distorted representation in the media - on the government's and on society's agenda as a priority problem to be addressed. -The Law Doesn't Apply. Even when the GOB has taken legislative action, mandating a greater presence for Afro-Brazilians in the media, requiring the teaching of Afro-Brazilian history in school, and pushing affirmative action type programs, these statutes are often not applied. Seven years after an educational mandate to teach Afro-Brazilian history, the subject is still not in the curriculum of many public schools, for example. -The Media Images Do Damage. Afro-Brazilians are either barely portrayed in the media (in violation of laws requiring greater Afro-Brazilian representation in public advertising) or are portrayed poorly, in terms of negative stereotypes. As well, Afro-Brazilians are underrepresented among journalists and media creators. Even official government publications do not present
SAO PAULO 00000499 002 OF 003
Actions and Measures Going Forward
¶5. The group then discussed the goals for the JAPR initiative as well as ways to measure its success. Among the points made were: -"Affirmative Action Has to Become Vertically Integrated." It is not enough for a university or business to admit/hire a few Afro-Brazilians. Real opportunity paths have to be created that lead to leadership positions, if change is to occur. Unipalmares faculty noted that, for the school's graduates, "a college degree is not enough." There has to be follow-up with jobs so that Afro-Brazilians can gain real footholds in institutions and businesses (like the major media) where they are now woefully underrepresented. -More Research Needed. Right now, there are too few studies of Afro-Brazilians and the barriers they face. One participant, a trained nurse and public health educator who works at Unipalmares, described how Brazil's myth of multi-racial democracy suppresses research. Several years ago, when she suggested doing a study of Afro-Brazilian health issues, she was told that such a project would be divisive, unnecessary and even racist. --English Studies. Getting more Afro-Brazilians into English-immersion programs was identified by the vast majority of participants in as a key goal and potential measure of the JAPR's effectiveness. English has become a critical tool in the Brazilian labor market, and it is a natural area where the U.S. can contribute. --More Media Presence. Participants agreed that it would be good to sponsor a conference on Afro-Brazilians and the media to discuss both Afro-Brazilian media images and Afro-Brazilian presence among the ranks of journalists.
Private Sector Participation
¶6. Representatives from one of Brazil's biggest banks, Bradesco, and from Citibank described the efforts their institutions have undertaken to provide more opportunities for Afro Brazilians. Bradesco's representative talked about the bank's long history of inclusion, beginning with the employment of Japanese Brazilians during the 1940s. Both banks have recruitment and internship
Comment: Afro-Brazilians Respond/Unipalmares a Natural Ally
¶7. The meeting at Unipalmares clearly struck a strong and responsive chord among Afro-Brazilian participants. Despite its faults, the United States looms large in the Afro-Brazilians' consciousness as a country that - according to the sentiments expressed at this meeting - has dealt more openly with issues of racism and inclusion than their own. Civil Society representatives appreciated the eagerness of USG participants to listen. The nature of many of the programs suggested, including more exchanges and greater English language immersion, suggested a pragmatic orientation on the part of the Brazilian participants.
¶8. Unipalmares itself was a fitting site for this first discussion. The institution does not yet rank with the most elite Brazilian universities. Nonetheless, its faculty and supporters are suffused with a sense of mission in bringing access to higher education to more Afro-Brazilians. Consequently, the symbolism, and sense of progress, that the JAPER discussions created was quite powerful. As Unipalmares' Rector remarked, "Five years ago, we could not have had this discussion." At that time, neither the university nor the JAPR existed. We are off to a good start.
¶9. This cable was coordinated/cleared by Embassy Brasilia.
STORY