'Brazil is back: lessons learned and Brazil’s prospects in foreign affairs' with Brazilian Ambassador Antonio Patriota

Antonio de Aguiar Patriota

Antonio de Aguiar Patriota was appointed Ambassador to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in 2023. Previously, he was Ambassador of Brazil to the Arab Republic of Egypt and the State of Eritrea (2019-2023); Ambassador of Brazil to Italy, Malta and San Marino (2016-2019) and Permanent Representative of Brazil to the United Nations (2013-2016). He served as Foreign Minister (2011-2013), Deputy Foreign Minister (2009-2010) and Ambassador to the United States (2007-2009). During his period as Ambassador to the UN, he was Chairman of the 60th and 61st Sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women and Chairman of the Peacebuilding Commission of the UN (2013-2014). During his diplomatic career, he was also posted in Geneva (1983-1987 and 1999-2003), New York (1994-1999), Beijing (1987-1988) and Caracas (1988-1990).

Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1954, he graduated from Brazil's Diplomatic Academy in 1979, having studied Philosophy at the University of Geneva. He was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Public Service by Chatham University in 2008. Among his publications are “The UN Security Council after the Gulf War” (1998) and two volumes of “Speeches, articles and interviews” during his period as Foreign Minister. Ambassador Patriota is a member of the “Leaders for Peace” initiative under the chairmanship of former French Prime Minister Raffarin. He has also been, since 2018, a member of the jury of the "Princess Sabeeka Bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa Global Award for Women's Empowerment".

About the discussant

Dr Andreza Aruska de Souza Santos

Andreza completed her PhD in Social Anthropology at the University of St Andrews, and holds a master’s degree in Social Sciences jointly awarded by the University of Freiburg and the University of KwaZulu Natal, in Durban. Andreza completed her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Brasilia. Having studied in Brazil, Germany, South Africa, India, and the UK, Andreza writes about Brazilian politics and city governance comparatively. Before joining King's, she was a lecturer at the University of Oxford and director of the Brazilian Studies Programme (2018-2023). Before that, she was a postdoctoral researcher at Oxford’s School of Anthropology, where she worked at the Urban Transformations portfolio (ESRC). She has previously worked at Brazil’s Ministry of Social Development, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (Vienna), at the Indian Embassy in Brazil, and at the Brazilian Confederation of Municipalities.

About the chair

Dr Vinicius de Carvalho

Vinicius was born in Barra Mansa, Brazil. He received his PhD from the University of Passau, Germany, and his undergraduate and MA degrees from the Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Brazil. He joined King’s in 2014 and before he was Associate Professor for Brazilian Studies at Aarhus University (2008-2014), Denmark, where he was also Director of the Latin American Centre (2012-2014). Vinicius was a Lieutenant in the Brazilian Army (2007-2008), serving in the Military Technical Corps. Vinicius is the Circle U. Academic Chair Programme Coordinator. He has played an active role contributing to the field of Brazilian studies, founding and editing Brasiliana – Journal for Brazilian Studies and as Editor of the Anthem Brazilian Studies Series.

This is an in-person event. The lecture will be followed by an audience Q&A and a drinks reception.