Rising Brazil

"In the past decade, Brazil has been touted for lifting 25 million people out of poverty, thanks to macroeconomic stability, high commodities prices, and a much hailed social program called Bolsa Familia that gives families monthly cash for families that adhere to conditions such as keeping kids in classrooms. But as the nation continues to rise – it became majority middle class in 2008, according to the Rio-based Getúlio Vargas Foundation – leaders say they are determined to do more, arguing that packed homes and uncloaked children have no place in today’s economic landscape."

"Brazil’s Northeast is an emerging market within an emerging market, a poverty-stricken but fast-growing region of 53 million people sometimes called the China of Brazil. Known for Brazil’s most dazzling beaches outside major cities such as Salvador and Fortaleza, the northeast’s nine states are home to 30% of the nation’s population but were long ignored. Now marketers are flocking to the latest region to benefit from Brazil’s growing economic prosperity — and carefully researching what they need to do differently, whether it’s a floating Nestle supermarket boat or buying a local rival brand called Jesus."

"You fought against two decades of dictatorships for the same right to be heard – the right to be free from fear and free from want. Brazil today is a flourishing democracy, a place where people are free to speak their mind and choose their leaders."