Promotion of LGBTQIA+ rights in Brazilian foreign affairs discussed in Seminar at Itamaraty

The Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs partnered with Fundação Alexandre de Gusmão (Funag) to hold a seminar on "International Relations, Foreign Policy, and LGBTQIA+ Rights" at Itamaraty Palace’s Wladimir Murtinho Auditorium next Tuesday (June 25).

The event is part of the LGBTQIA+ pride month commemorations, and alludes to the Federal Government's efforts to promote inclusion and diversity. The initiative reinforces the importance of debating themes and integrating issues related to the LGBTQIA+ community in foreign policy and international relations.

This is the first time that Itamaraty hosts a debate on that matter, with the participation of international and national authorities, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministério das Relações Exteriores/MRE) staff, and civil society representatives. The discussion panels will feature speakers from the Ministry of Human Rights and Citizenship, the Chamber of Deputies’ Foreign Relations and National Defense Committee, the United Nations, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, and the International LGBTQIA+ Association (ILGA), as well as MRE's staff.

The opening ceremony is scheduled for 9 a.m. (Brasilia time), followed by three panels that will conclude at 1 p.m.:

» Promoting the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals in international relations

» LGBTQIA+ representation in the construction of Brazilian foreign policy

» LGBTQIA+ inclusion, visibility, and participation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Individuals interested in participating can register through this link. 

The seminar will also be broadcast by the Funag Youtube channel.

Click here to access the full program

RAINBOW COLOURS - The Itamaraty Palace and several other buildings at the Ministerial Esplanade (Esplanada dos Ministérios) will be especially illuminated in the last week of June with the colours of the rainbow, an identity symbol of the global LGBTQIA+ community.

ACTION GROUP — The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' LGBTQIA+ Action Group (GAL-MRE), responsible for the event, is formed by foreign service public servants. The goal is to create a platform for open dialogue about LGBTQIA+ themes aiming to integrate these agendas into MRE's administrative practices and Brazilian foreign policy. The group's action is themed on: foreign policy, administrative issues, consular action, cultural initiatives and social media, civil society support, and the right to memory.

FUNAG - Established through Law n. 5717, of October 26, 1971, Funag is a public foundation linked to the Brazilian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It promotes cultural and educational activities in the field of international relations, in addition to studies and research on issues connected to Brazil's international relations and diplomatic history. Funag promotes Brazilian foreign policy in its general aspects and contributes to raise awareness on the challenges of international coexistence.