Brazil, the country of the future; always was, always will be. This was the self-deprecating joke of Brazilians in the 60s and 70s, as each year was optimistic but Brazil kept failing. There is no need to joke today. Brazil has emerged as a global economic power, overtaking the UK as the world’s sixth largest economy. It has made this remarkable leap while bringing millions of its citizens out of poverty into the middle class. The country is a world leader in creating innovative and progressive environmental laws. And while there are as yet no global brands coming from Rio or São Paulo, Brand Brazil is flying high on the cultural and social reputation of its people.

The Women’s Forum for the Economy & Society had a first experience of the new Brazil when a 40+ delegation of Brazilian women came to Deauville, France, in October 2011, for the 7th Edition of our Global Meeting. Business leaders, entrepreneurs, scientists, artists, not to mention jurists and politicians: we learned that some truly remarkable women are at the center of achieving Brazil’s future. The Women’s Forum Brazil 2012 brings that learning and the Forum experience back to Brazil. The agenda focuses on the crucial challenges for the country to continue its historic rise. Unique to the Women’s Forum, women leaders and rising talents are invited to discuss and debate these issues along with their male counterparts. Our aim? To create discovery, and to foster new Brazilian and international networks of opportunity and action for business, the economy, and society.