UMUC Welcomes Brazilian Ambassador Antonio de Aguiar Patriota

For Immediate Release:
March 7, 2008

Media Contact:
Jenna Saffron
410-581-5921
jsaffron@mghus.com

ADELPHI, Md. (March 7, 2008) – University of Maryland University College (UMUC) welcomed His Excellency Antonio de Aguiar Patriota, Brazilian ambassador to the United States, to the university’s Adelphi, Md., headquarters for a special presentation March 4, 2008—the latest in the university’s popular “Meet the Ambassador” series, sponsored by the Graduate School of Management and Technology, Diversity Initiatives, and the Master of International Management (IMAN) chapter of the Alumni Association.

Ambassador Patriota offered a broad but detailed summary of the challenges and opportunities—both political and economic—facing this largest and most populous of South American countries. Saddled in the recent past with a military dictatorship and what Patriota characterized as “galloping inflation,” Brazil now boasts one of the world’s most dynamic economies and stands as an acknowledged leader in the field of renewable energy, generating more than 40 percent of its power from renewable resources.

“It is an honor and privilege to welcome Ambassador Patriota to UMUC,” said President Susan C. Aldridge, who visited Brazil in August 2007 as part of a higher education delegation to Latin America led by U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings. “Ambassador Patriota enjoys an enviable perspective on a country that is positioned to lead in Latin America and the world for years to come, and we are delighted that he has agreed to share his insight as part of our ‘Meet the Ambassador’ series.”

Following his presentation, Ambassador Patriota fielded questions from the audience, touching on subjects ranging from recent tensions between Colombia and Ecuador to the recent discovery of oil reserves off Brazil’s coast and the country’s efforts to combat climate change.

Ambassador Patriota and President Aldridge were joined by honored guests from the Brazilian embassy and the UMUC community, including artist Patricia Secco, a native of Brazil, whose recent exhibit, “Brasil Abstrato,” celebrated her home country. “Brasil Abstrato” is currently on display in the Arts Program Gallery on the lower level of the UMUC Inn and Conference Center.

 

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