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IZABELLA TEIXEIRA, MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT, BRAZIL
TEREZA CAMPELLO, MINISTER OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT AND FIGHT AGAINST HUNGER, BRAZIL
Brazil has sought constant innovation and improvement of national policies to simultaneously promote social
and economic development and environmental conservation. Emergency initiatives that previously had a focus
on combating the most visible effects of drought and desertification processes were replaced by structuring
actions in order to improve the living conditions of the local people and to promote a productive and decent
coexistence with drought. Environmental conservation as well as water, food and energy security have been
guaranteed with the use of locally developed technologies that are adapted to the conditions of the areas
susceptible to desertification, and aimed at the needs of the poorest population. The policies and cases presented
here give a sample of the results of participatory management that involves different levels of the Government
and civil society to preserve the environment and overcome extreme poverty. Such a model has been generating
innovations that contribute to combat desertification, conserve biodiversity and to promote adaptation to climate
change in our country.
Izabella Teixeira
Minister of the Environment, Brazil
Tereza Campello
Minister of Social Development
and Fight against Hunger, Brazil
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