Porto Alegre, Brazil, Feb 17

In a packed plenary hall with security at all entrances da Silva, with the nick name “Lula”, addressed the assembly participants. With reference to the small groups of loud demonstrators outside the plenary hall Lula received applause stating that “in a country that has gone through 23 years of dictatorship there is not better sound than the sound of the people. It does not matter what they are shouting as long as they are shouting.”

This was only the first in a long line of applauses which accompanied the president’s speech. Lula is a popular man both in Brazil and at the WCC assembly. Lula, who has been president of the country with the 5th largest economy in world since 2003, reported about the improvements which Brazil has gone through in recent years focusing on education and a new education bill just approved. Lula stressed the role of the churches in implementing the governments program. “The churches have had an important role in the transformation of Brazil”, he stated also drawing forth Brazil as a multicultural and multi religious country with full freedom of conscience. The president ended his address by thanking the WCC for choosing Porto Alegre as the venue of their assembly.

The 60 years old Lula is the first left-wing president in a country that has gone through many year of dictatorship. He comes from the Brazilian northeastern state of Alagoas, one of the poorest in the country, and grew up in the state of São Paulo, where he ascended through the ranks of the powerful labour syndicates. After entering office he has moved slightly to the right now being to a centre-left political position.

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