With the noteworthy exception of a small group of scholars, corporations and financial institutions doing business in Brazil, opinion leaders in the United States are scarcely aware of the profound changes that have occurred in our country in recent years. They know little about the characteristics of our complex and ethnically diversified country, the richness of our culture and the strength of our democratic institutions.

The size of the Brazilian economy, its current trade and investment potential and the importance of our national commitment to dealing with social, environmental and human rights issues are known only superficially, mainly from articles in newspapers and economic publications. Too often, however, a distorted approach is taken, focusing primarily on exotic or negative phenomena. Rather than relying on accurate, balanced, and straightforward information about Brazil, those publications frequently resort to stereotypes.

In an attempt to address this situation, providing as much information as possible to interested parties in the United States has become one of the top priorities of the BTCC. A comprehensive program is being undertaken to improve the quality of information available about Brazil and to raise the awareness about our country among significant interest groups, the Congress, the media, the private sector and the academic world.

Therefore, the BTCC has designed a series of seminars entitled "Brazil XXI" aimed at providing U.S. opinion makers, business executives and government officials with up-to-date and accurate information on Brazilian issues in the areas of trade, economic, financial and social policies, as well as environmental and human rights issues. Emphasis will be put not only on the achievements the country has obtained in the last years, but also on the challenges it we will be facing in the near future. At these events in the United States, the Chamber is committed to making senior Brazilian professionals available to share their views with appropriate audiences.