Brazil remains an enigma.  Since Lula's promising election in 2002, the second largest economy in the Western Hemisphere has been seen as a center of hope and potential for participatory democracy and regional integration.  However, members of the Partido dos Trabalhadores have withdrawn support for the administration as the government's aversion to privatization is slowly being chipped away by international finance institutions.  

Meanwhile, harmful agricultural and land policies continue to plague the lowlands as roads spider through the Amazon and the Landless Movement faces ongoing repression.  Nonetheless, the pulse of Brazil beats on as favela communities organize themselves, capoeira artists dance and fight, escolas da samba beat out batucadas, and entire cities strive for sustainability.  Come explore the richness and dynamism of one of the most complex countries on earth as you learn about the cultural and political conflicts of this beautiful country.