(MENAFN- Brazil-Arab News Agency (ANBA)) São Paulo – The Embassy of Brazil in Beirut has established the Brazil Chair in Lebanon to foster scientific research and cultural exchange between the educational and academic communities of both countries. The first exchange took place earlier this month, when Arlene Clemesha, professor of Contemporary Arab History and director of the Center for Palestinian Studies at the University of São Paulo (USP), delivered a lecture titled“Middle Eastern Diaspora in South America” at the Holy Spirit University of Kaslik (USEK), as part of a series of meetings.

Pablo Romero: Project aims to bring researchers from Brazil and Lebanon closer together

To ANBA, the head of the Cultural and Press Department at the Brazilian Embassy in Lebanon, Pablo Romero, said the project is expected to hold annual missions of Brazilian academics to Lebanon, during which they will carry out activities at research centers and higher education institutions. This initiative, he said, is part of the Cultural Diplomacy Program and is funded by resources approved by the Guimarães Rosa Institute of Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“The initiative creates a space for establishing research networks, developing joint cooperation projects, strengthening academic mobility, and above all, for familiarizing Lebanese academic circles-and Lebanese society in general-with the diversity and relevance of Brazilian intellectual production in various fields of knowledge,” said Romero.

The chair will not have a fixed headquarters. It will consist of missions to universities and research centers that wish to expand their ties with Brazil. Through it, courses, lectures, and seminars are expected to be held at various Lebanese institutions.“By adopting a rotating model, the chair will aim to bring to Lebanon, at the invitation of the Brazilian Embassy, renowned Brazilian academics in various fields of knowledge, such as political science and international relations, arts and literature, and of course, Arab studies,” said the diplomat.

Clemesha's visit to Lebanon, Romero says, served as the inaugural mission of the chair. It took place between September 29 and October 9 and included a schedule of lectures at the Palestinian Studies Institute (IPS), USEK, the American University of Beirut (AUB), and Saint Joseph University of Beirut (USJ). She also visited Lebanese institutions dedicated to Palestinian issues, such as the Ghassan Kanafani Foundation, the IPS, and the Inaash Association, which supports women living in Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon.

He also said the activities carried out during Clemesha's mission have already contributed to strengthening the ties between the academic communities of Brazil and Lebanon. This format of courses, seminars, and meetings is expected to be repeated in future editions, which may also include other activities, such as the launch of joint research projects.

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Translated by Guilherme Miranda

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