Happenings Archive

Like China, Brazil is an emerging superpower buckling under the pressure of change. Behind the beautiful images of Samba and beaches and smiling beauties, Brazil is a country of social extremes: about one quarter of the population is living in slums, which means they lack education and health care and are surrounded by poverty and crime. The gap between rich and poor opens wider every day. Brazil illustrates a challenge that we are facing as humankind: one out out of seven people worldwide are living without proper housing, and our world is becoming a “planet of slums” (Mike Davis).

In her book The Bridge-Builder (so far in German only), Dunja Batarilo tells a true and fascinating story about how to find a solution to this global challenge. Based on countless interviews and on-site research, she renders touching yet informative insights on life in a Brazilian slum and today’s Brazil.

The transformation of the Favela Monte Azul shows that “those who want to change the world need to start with the children” (Ghandi). It also illustrates how to transform a slum community — from a situation of crime and despair to one of hope and potential.

Also: are there lessons to be learned from China? How is China dealing with the growing social gap, and which effect did the Beijing Olympics have on the country? 

50RMB, 40RMB (Members)