"Is it “activism’ to prefer dignity to capitulation? Or to lead a global movement against hunger? Proposed by Brazil, this effort, which soon came to the presidents of France, Chile and the UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan, came during the first year of the Lula Administration. Meeting in Rome and New York, new adherents came from everywhere. Targets were set for 2015. And Brazil, as the UN confirmed last month, has done its part: it leads the world ranking of countries that reduced poverty. Performance is more than a role. It has nothing to do with the suggestions made by former diplomats in the vehicles of major media families."
Argemiro Ferreira, journalist and writer
"The foreign policy of President Lula da Silva, in keeping with a multilateralist posture, defends national sovereignty with greater emphasis than the previous administration. This characteristic, consistent with the idea of "autonomy through diversification" gained prominence and seemed to be reflected in a few moments in a sense of leadership, at least regionally. (...) The makers of Lula da Silva’s foreign policy, in turn, believe that the role of leadership can be achieved through more active and dynamic diplomatic actions, as well as the continued defense of 'universalist' issues."
Thulium Vigevani (professor at the Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP) and Gabriel Cepaluni, professor of international relations at UNESP, in an academic paper published here: http://www.scielo.br/pdf/cint/v29n2/v29n2a02.pdf [1]
"Russia, Brazil, China and India are moving in the right direction. This does not mean that they will sever relations or fail to trade with other countries, because Brazil is undoubtedly a global trader. "
Luiz Gonzaga Belluzzo, economist
"I believe that Brazil has never had a president that has given it such a worldwide reputation as Lula gave Brazil. In foreign policy, in Africa, in the world. The relationship with Brazil is excellent. And I believe that this is a relationship of true integration."
José Mujica, president of Uruguay