Background:The Washington Council on International Trade is proud to offer a unique trade visit October 7-16, 2006 -- a first both for the Council and for our State. The visit to Brazil is designed to focus on innovative companies, people, and solutions. It will combine learning from sustainable models with making valuable contacts with leaders in business, agriculture, government and communities. This high-level delegation will be led by the Lt. Governor and bring together civic leaders with CEO's and representatives of the state's leading businesses.

WCIT selected Brazil for its proven models of innovative resource use including the city of Curitiba, for its thriving CSR business community, and because Brazil has demonstrated its ability to find innovative solutions to some of the most challenging issues of our time.

São Paulo:This is the commercial heart of Brazil and home to many businesses working sustainably both nationally and internationally. It is also home to Ethos, the Brazilian arm of Business for Social Responsibility. Our delegation will be hosted by São Paulo's Federation of Business and Industry (FIESP). Collectively its membership is responsible for 76% of Brazil's GDP.

Curitiba:Curitiba is a world-class model -- a unique, well-planned and highly innovative city. It is about the size of greater Seattle with a population of about 2.8 million. Anyone working with cutting-edge design solutions for transportation or social services has probably heard of Curitiba. For everyone else Curitiba provides an introduction to a city so unique and exciting that well over 90 percent of its inhabitants reported in a poll that they wouldn't live anywhere else. New York was second, with 66 percent.) Curitiba excels in city planning, green space, transportation, social services, citizen participation, waste and innovative problem-solving. With the trend well-established over more than 30 years, creative new ideas keep Curitiba on the cutting edge of urban design and change. The Curitiba story began under the leadership of architect turned Mayor, Jaime Lerner.

"What is the secret to Curitiba's success?"

"Simplicity. We never tried to have all the answers because if you try to have all the answers, it's...not leaving for the next generations everyone to make their contributions, and synergy. In Curitiba, it showed that it is possible. Every time when I hear "Ah, that city is so big, it's not possible" or "It's too difficult," that drives me crazy. You know, now, I can say every city in the world can make important changes in less than two years. And it's not a question of money, it's just a question of how to transform every problem into a solution. If you have a problem, you have to build an equation of co-responsibility."

A web site with lots of information on Curitiba, including this interview. (http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/fellows/brazil1203)

In addition to experiencing this exceptional city planning model, we are interested in meeting CEO's to uncover the business story of Curitiba. What kinds of businesses benefit? What role has business played as a partner in change? What does Curitiba have in common with an innovative, entrepreneurial area like Puget Sound?

Rio de Janeiro:In Rio de Janeiro we will connect with international businesses that model sustainable practices, visit world-class social entrepreneurs and tour their facilities and leave enough leisure time to enjoy one of the world's great tourist destinations. Rio de Janeiro is Brazil's second largest city and its cultural capital.

CSR and Innovation:Through the years of challenging economic times, the businesses that have survived in Brazil have become world-class competitors. Brazil is home to major innovative companies, especially in the energy sector. Embraer, Brazil's aerospace manufacturer, is a worldwide leader in ethanol. There are also a large number of companies that lead with corporate social responsibility (CSR). Innovative thinking is an important component of sustainability, and Brazil has succeeded in thinking and acting 'out of the box' on two major issues - oil consumption and HIV/AIDS. While by no means problem-free, the following are two examples of Brazil's leadership in innovation:

Washington Council on International Trade

Washington Council on International Trade

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