I´m still not sure I wil be able to make my way back to Europe as the old continent has been punished by gods for the sins of its citizens. I´m not worried about being trapped in the New World… altough I might miss very important meetings in Brussels!
In my last entry I picture a pretty gloomy vion of the future. Was I not negative? someone might call me a rightwing cynical pessimist. Would she be right? perhaps it was just due to the 2 weeks spent with my couple of friends who didn´t allow me recover taking advantage of opportunities offered by this young country…
Without mentioning my stop at Posto 9 at Ipanema beach thanks to which I recovered… yesterday I had an inspiring meeting and perhas my view is more balanced now. I met Leonardo Letelier , founder of Sitawi , a Brazilian social investment fund. It´s a small fund but brave: it fnds even an association of prostitutes in Rio!
Leonardo was born in Chili, studied in the States, worked a McKinskey, but decided to move to Rio and start his social adventure. As he said: `Here it´s difficult, but look round: it´s so beautiful. I would´t change.. and the third sector is in such a need!".
Hes righ here you have a well consolidated concept of third sector – if you prefer social economy – ánd that´s it. The State is everywhere, fnding for the sector is limited and concentrated, there is no community of leaders or representative body. There some hubs and networks like IDIS , AVINA , Ashoka , CDI and the Hub of Social Innovation . However, thre is something special here: hope and passion.
My friend Mauricio says: "Brasileiro, profissão: esperança…"
In less than an hour,Leonardo and I put togehter a plan to develop a collaboration on social investment between Brasil and Europe: I´m going to deliver Sir Bubb and Mulgan the Guru in the country this year.
This is the first step to bridge the gap. Petrobras is in the picture as well. Let´s see what the meeting with marca from IDIS bring to the table. In the mean time my sister Albeo is working with the Hub in São Paulo.
as you know for a ancient greek tragic character as I am it´s a challenge being positive but this time i will leave Brazil to lead me. Perhaps anotehr world is possble… which is not the same with something changed just to keep it as it is, as the Prince of Salina would say. Perhaps global civil society is possible and can lead the change. Obama proved change is possible.
Can the Old Europe raise up to the challenge? Can stewarship be provided by Euclid Network ? hold wit me ad we will discver!
PS I manged to leave a mark even this time: after hosting me in Rio, my friend Mauricio made a resolution to become a gay right activist despite being happily married with Inare, beautiful Brasileira!
